Mail Notices.

- Mailß close for the following places at under, subject to the necessary alterations : TOEBDAY, JAN 8i For Northerc Ports and Wr st Coaet, per Botomahana at 6 30 p nt

, The nrxfe be«t despatch to the United , Kingdom is via Sun Frnneieo, .Isavinj;' fhrHchurch da J*n 16th, and due London Febi6... - ■-•;■■- ■. .:,/■ ;\ Note—The Australian Commonwealth not yet having adopted penny post«g«,ietter* for Australian Colonies mast be prepaid ?d per half ounce If only prepaid one penny they will be surcharged doable the deficient pottage Express delivery md special messenger services will be established »t Jtahhurton at from Ist January 1901. Fxpress delivery will oover letters and parcels not oxoeediag three ibe in weight, for which ab extra fee of •'xpenoe has been paid. The special mes senger service meant placing a. messenger aft the disposal of any telephone exohanga subscriber on request being made, and k fee of sixpence for the first mile and threepence moh additiooiil mile up to two miles or time payment h«!ng> mada

EPHEMERIS

Phases of Mood foi January

sun:

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Ashharton daily for— OHRISTCHUROH-afc 7.20 »m, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TIMAEU—at 10.55 a m, 3.50 pm DUN EDIN—»* 12154 p m (express) SPBINGBURN-at 4.85 p m

Trains arrive daUy at Ashburtoo from—* OHUISTOHUROH-ati 10.45 * m, 12.48 p m {express), 8 pm' TIMARD—at 10.35 » no, 2 55 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (express) SPRINOBURN-»t B.4s*tn*

Commercial.

THE MEAT MARKET

United Pr««B Aisooiation—By Electric Telegraph—Oopyrighb London, January 6 Cro*sbr«d wethers, maiden ewes, Caster' bury, 4 13»16d; Bunedin, Southland, 4 1116 d; North Wand, 4|4. New Zealand hsef, 1801b to 2201b, fair average quality, ox fore*, unchanged; binds, 4d.. JSirer Plate, anchangod

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET

The Ashburten Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Awooiatlon of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on January 7. 1901:— Wheat—., Prime mSUing Pearl .- 2i2d „ „ Tuscan... 2s 3d „ „ Hunter's 2a Id Oats—Duns .- 1b Si'J Danish Is sfd Canadians 1* 7<l Sparrowbills Is 6d Barley—Malting, prim* ,2« . Inferior Is 6d Peas—Partridge, 2s 3d Ghafl—Good oatiheaf 50a to 62« 6d Grasa Seed-Old pasture, 2s to 2a 3d New „ lB6dtols9(! The above are prices current paid to farmers oa trnoka at Ashburton.

THE LONDON MARKETS

The Agent of the Associated Farmers' Companies of Naw Zealand reports under date London. December 1,1900* as follows : Wool —There has been do material alteration -in the state of the wool market since the close of the last series > consider able amount of private enquiry fan existed, but it has only resulted in the tale of » few withdrawn lots* at rates |atly up to the values then ruUag. In tb« manafaoturlßg districts there is only a bind to mouth basinets doing in choice eroasbreds aad merino*, bat prices are steady, while medium and strong crwbreds are fairly we!! enquired for, but at low quotatioai. (The o»ll for certain fine goods suitable for the London market has again falien away and the position of the trade continues dull and lifeless. She opinion ii held to a large extent that no Improvement wlli come until the New ¥ear, and even then prospeots are fay do means encouraging. The auctions towards the end of last month at) Antwerp showed a slightly better tone v the sales produced for River Plate produce, but on the 19th ult some 2,600 b*?ea of Australian aad Sooth African Wools were offered in thai city, and sold a«i prices ruling on & par with London aloaing ratetii Whbat—The wheats trade during the past three weeks baa been most) disappointing. With heavy supplies both on spot and prospective, buyers show do inclination to operate, while the strike oJ the London lightermen which still continues, seriously interferes with deliveries, and all the docks are crowded with produce. Xn addition to this, the Continental demand is extremely limited, while owing to the extreme mild ness of the season, the consumption is below the average. Values are about 64 and 9d per qr. lower. Englieh wh«*t Ibas only been eparingly offered at the oauntry markets, the average price is new 27b 2<l per 4801 ba, as compared with 25s 8d in the corresponding week of last year. The * Corryvrechan' fr«m (Tlmaru with 9,745 qrs arrived at Falmouth on the 19th ult., and has been ■eld at 28s 6d cif. In granary here the value el long berried is now about 2&< 6d to 80«, *nd short berried 28s 6d to 29s per 4961 be, with a very limited sale, at it comes into competition with German wheat, tthe •Rangatira' | brought 13,944 sacks wheat), 884 sacks barley, and 160 sacks cocksfoot) frem New Zealand, and the ' Aberfoyle' and ' Peri,' from (tlmarss, both reported at Custoncs here on the 29th ult. Oats are firm and. have advanced 3d and 6d'per qr. (The Government ia still pur* ohasing Americans and Russians for the Cape, but 401b Russians am bow most in request). New Zealand* are sauce, ordinary Bluff are worth 25s and ?6s and Canadians 27c 6d and 23a 6d per ZB4lbs itx store. Dane make 13s and 19s per 3361b5. Frozen Mbat.—There is no improvement to note la the state of trade at Smltbfield which continues v*ry dull and unsatisfactory for nearly all olasses of frozen meat, bat owing to the limited number of Canterbosy sheep on offer, values have been maintained to Id per stone advance ffltf good weight carcases which made about !is per atone ex marketc Large Canterburyt and secondary ?aalities of light weights art worth from 2a d and 2a 10d, and Nortb Island about similar values. Australiaa sheep are un> altered* and Melbourne largn «c quoted at 2s 5d and 2s 6di «nd smalll 2s sd« Plate sheep 2s 5d and 2a 6<L New Zealand ?»mb has improved in price owing to the limited number available, and as mv.oh as 3s 8d and 4a has been paid for special requirements,, but these prices maybe considered almost nominal* Frcz«a beef is still neglected and values are slightly eaeisr. New Z »!a»d fores make Z» 2d and 2s 3d, and hinds 2s 6d and 2l 83.

THE BRITISH MEAT IMPORTS

The London Times reportu that ilx month* bays elapsed «iooe British posti were oloied againiti lira aoitnalt from Argentina on acconnbo! the prevalence oil foot-and-mouth disease in th*t country „ and tht •ff«ofc« »r« very ftppweot in one diminished InapptW of ,oftttle, Rod mow esptolftliy of ibiept owr

the first) ten months of the y*ar.. The imports of cattle for the ten months et>d*d October 31, were 417,496 head, or 20 474 below t.he corresponding total Usb year, and 73,816 lets than that) of 1898 About two-thirds of this tfade belongs to thf> United States of America, Canada contribut ng aboub »n«« fifth. Argentina 1 has this year sent us 38 562 head r-f cattle, or about half <f the oorreipondirg totals in 1898 and 1C99. Of thppp, Ihe ten month*' import this year of 344,559 head is 203,242 less than the corresponding number kit year, and 235,025 lets than th«.t of 1898 Argentina i has only * nt us half as many sheep at last year, and aso^ciated with this heavy decline Is » tlighb falling iff in oor supplies from North America, Even with only four months* trade this year with the River Flat*' we hay* nevertheless received from that source 178,969 sheep, or rather more .than half of our total tea month*', Import. Of fresh beef, the total of 3 527,352 e*t im ported down to the end of October Is 291,352 cwfc mor« than at the same date last year, bat is no lets than 953,146 owt in exotss of the import two years ago. Two thirifs of this trade is in the hands of the United States, whilst Australasia oUfms about one* fifth. The over-sea trade in freph mutton is not expanding so rapidly, a* that In beef, as the ten months' Import of 3,026,473 cwt exceeds that of the last year by only 99,132 cwt, and that of 1898 by 228,742 cw*. Auitra lasla possesses mote than half this trade; but the Argentine so far from replacing Its live sheep trade by Arizen, mutton, has actually sent us rather leas o| tbe latter article than last year, the. quantities being 998,941 owt 'and 986^203 bwk for the first ten months of 18S9 and 1900 reipeo mly. Under the head of • all dtad meat * *re included—in addition to fresh beef and mutton—fresh pork, dead rabbits, salted beef, bacon, bams, and other meat uoean inerated The ten months' total of 15,173,937 owt is only 225,289 cwt over that of 1899, whereas the latter was as much as 1,369,780 cwt) In excess of that of the pre ceding year. The much lesssnod expansion of imports this year may, of course, be doe to the temporary dtfinotien of supplies to South Atrlos.

ASHBURION STOCK MARKET

The ntufcl;weekly stock sale was held at the Aihbnrton Yards to dmyduring a dot* wester. A fair attendance of tho public was present. The yarding of sheep and cattle was again small, the latter almost wholly composed of beef stock, not of first class quality, which met) with slack demand, D Thomas sold cows at £417t 6d/and £6 7« 6d ; heifer, £S iSs ; Farmors'-jCo op—cows £4 10s and £6 10a ; heifers and steers, eaoh £3 15» ; Messrs Friedlander Bros—Cows, £6 18e 6J : h«ifors, £4 lOi and £7. In stores the latter obtained £3 ISs for a cow in prafit, and D Thomas made £3 10s for » springer, In the sheep department the entries In butcher** lots were ooafined to tec small pens, the sale of which Is now proceeding under good competition, £*o far, Mr Thomas has sold fab crossbred ewes at 15s 9d, 16«, and 16s Id, and for four first class lambs he had obtained 17s 2d

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1901 A GOOD SUGGESTION.

We are glad to notice that a sugges tion made by Councillor Willis in the Borough Council last evening, that the Postmaster General should be invited to lay the foundation stone of the new | post office, met with general approval, and that Mr Ward is to be written to at once. We learn that when the con tractors began operations some of the officials decided that they, at anyrate would hand down their names to posterity in connection with the new ' building, and enclosed them,' together with a postage stamp of toe nineteenth and another of tha twentieth century and some curious coins iii a receptacle which is now embedded in the concrete foundation. When Macauley's New Zealander returns from his visit to the great modern Babylon some time in the dim and distant future, be m»yj perhaps speculate vainly upon the cabtiliatic signs which represent the names of tha staff of the Ashburton Post and Tele graph Department in the year of grace 1901, But would it not be far more satisfactory if we were able to give that historic personage of the future some more information. How much better for posterity if we afaouSd.be able to enlighten distant ages Upon the names of the men who had suggested, supported,, and eventually cairied out the proposed building, which is ex pected to be such an oraament to our town. Seriously, however, we ire sure that the burgesses of Ashburton, and the people of this county will cordially endorse the opinion expressed by the Borough Council that the occasion of erecting in this town the first public building with any preten sions to architectural merit, should be formally and officially celebrated. The Hon J G Ward is to be asked to lay the foundation stone of the new pest office, and we trust he will see bis way to accept the invitation, ', We may remind him that no Minister has visited this .town or district for over five years, if we except a flying visit paid by Mr Ward himself to His Worship the Mayor the other day—a private visit entirely—so we were assured. This district is surely of sufficient import ance co get an occasional official visit from members of the Cabinet. Timaru ib the home of one of them, and yet even he has not thought it Worth while to give us ft call on bis way to and from the capital. However, we will forgive Ministers this neglect if the Hon J G Ward—of whom all our readers have heard so much, and whom so few have seen«-will come and lay the 4 foundation stone o! our new post office, and attend to a few other little matters, which require his con sideration. Some of these have alrsady been referred to in our columns ; and others would doubtless be brought be fore him should he favour us with a visit. We .have-nointention of igoor ing the services of our energetic mem ber Mr John McLachlin) bat Mr McLachlaa does not live Amongst us. And after t.ll a private member cannot do much himself, however energetic and welt inteatfpneel he may be. A private member is only a go-between, but a minister—is ft minister.

Local and General.

■The PosTMASMß.—Durintf the abianoe of Mr Renner,oa hla aonuailioUday, Mr|R Leehner will act aa poetmaater. „ Wbatmes Fobkcast—O»pt»!n Edwin wire*?—west to aouth, strong gales, «Uat rUe but fall again after aix hours from now; indict bloaa muob rain. The New S'IAHP.-^Tae postmaater in* forariß ua that there ianow no liAtt to the a»le of the new penny stamp and that a full ■npply haa been received by the local office. Alleged Embezzlement—A Chriatohuroh telegram itatei that Detective Uvingatoae haa arrcated a, man oa a eharga of embezaHngi £294, thai property of G L Baath and Co, bia emp!ayera«

Cos*r.»Liis« Mtß fUINf all—Mr Cttm>a'r L. Wrapg.-, the GovewiriMifc Meteoro'ogißt of Qieen*lan«i. ba« started lor Rtyria aad Northern Italy for the pueumMi of f xatninfng the methods in use thwe 'fercontrol'irg the rainfall Ib ordsr to minimise the effects of heavy rains and hail or tbo vineyards and orchard?. ... Deowned — William Wat»on, a young man who was employed at S»r good's, and * membfr of tht Duntdin Amateur Boating; C'tt)?, wm <?r"woed on Saturday evening. ! He w*» b-vthing in frotnt of tho boatshed when he wan preramahif SVspd with cramp, ar.d sank ■ The body vh reoorerad, bat lif« ni extinct. Th«GablkCode—Th«telegraph jfep»r» ment inform* «• tkat Bein* nonfi<t« that the BriH^h Gftv«rnnm'nt in »iew of possible changes in the arrangement! concerning the control in South Africa, de»ir« tn draw attention ♦jO the n«aeaeity of depositing for comparison with the authorities at Durban ! tiwaptwat cod« already anrborSstd. At prespnt oo'v three of th« codes authorUed haTe bM" d»posHe«l at Durban, v'z: ABO, Al, and Brommharls Wirth's Circus—Mr Mlddteton, ftdTaee 1) ageofc for Wifth Bros.' celebrated circus, mi inAshburfcon'yesterday, arranging for an •nbtrtalnmenb on Friday areaing. Among tha noreltlet this trip in the menagerie ara tht boxing posltf, tho backing elephant, the riding bear and the forests bred tigers. The circus performers inolnds * champion jtokey rider, a famous jn»nd. balancer, a contorttonirt, and the oaly ltdy in tht world whorid«i«v«a hones :'_...',. Fishihg.—Local anglers report that the prewnfc condition of 4h« water at the mouth of the Ashharton r!r»r is not at all favorable to fishermen and that no takes of any tizi bvf been made lately. Kawhia fishing ia alto v«ry disappointing. The strong nor* westers of last week hare caused the RakaU river to t\p In flood, and it will be foor or five days before the water will be clear encagh for fishing. Before the flood began to rise last week some splendid fish were caught. On Wednesday «vooiog Mr J B Carrnthers landed oiaa fish, ATeraglng 61bs each, in two boars, and on Thursday evening Messrs J Baxter end J B flarrutheni caught six fish, averaging Sibs. 1 The fish were all in splendid condition tod very greedy for feed.

Tussauds Royal Waxworks and Speciality Company

There was a fair attendance at the second entertainment provided by tha company last evening, the wax figures being the chief attraction, and were much admired, 2he conjuring tricks of Mr Martden were as perplexing as on the opening night, whiiit the maslcaj and vocal items provided were heartily applauded. " ■■■?"'■■ ■ ■ '".',;;. ,

A Detective Stabbed.

IJuited Press Aaeoointion—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright &YD»Eir, Jan 7 A great sensation was oauned while the denee crowd congregated in vicinity of the General Poet) Office ii»tening to the band, Det«oti*eToomer, who cam* over from Brisbane, wii stabbed io. the buck -by. a man darned B*k«r f who ie alleged toiia a well known Queensland criminal. Ho has been arrested. Toomer is is a serious condition,

Interprovincial.

United Press Auooiation—By Electric ....... ■ Telegraph ' '"'-^ Wiu,iNQXpM,,J»n i ,7',.\ The return of Immigration tad. emigration shows that 2348 persons arrived m the colony in November (43 more than in November of 1899), And 746 went away, at •gainet 798 in the corresponding month; The mail steamer feierra it expected to be a day. late in leaving Sydney, owing to the delay arising from the recent breakdown) Dr Mason, the head of ths Health Depart men*-, leaves for the Booth tonight) or tomorrow on important business. The Presbyterian General Assembly meet at Waaganoi next month. About half of the £10,00Q,required by the Church for the cetabiiihihent of Churches In out district* has been raited, and Revs S Patterson and W Gillies will start next month on their mission to collect the balance. The Government are deviling ft oompre* hentlye scheme for the opeelog up of the tourUfc f«iort« of the colony, An officer I will ihortly be appointed to carry oat the I tchetne. Mr Ward's kirn ii to make the nenio district cheaper of «coeis to both 1 reßldenti in the colony and to vieltori from abroad . The native* of Wairarapa are already making preparations fo? a momter f eoeption to the Duke aed Daeheu of York The trawler Boto will oommetce operation! between Napter and Anekland at the end of the month under the supervision of Mr Ayson, Inspeotor of Fisheries. Later she will trawl along the jooaat line between Auckland, New Piymoqth, and Wftnganql Ths Secretary of State for tha Colonies cables to the Deputy-Governor that the pAoific oabl* contract was exeoated on December Slet. i . ' Auckland, Jkq 7 The Royal Commtstion on the oo»l industry has finished its sittings at Huntlay, The Miners' Union wrote expttising the hope that the Government would take over the control of ml! the coat mines, as price* would be easier for the consumer and work steadier for, the employees The Primate held an ordination at 8t Mary'a Cathedral on Sunday, when the Revs KB Wingfield, FLatter, OAS Walton, A F Smith, and G W Dent were admitted to tha priesthood. Archdeacon Dudley presented^ths candidates CmusTCHUBOH, January 7 At the S M Court today the Premier, as President of the Liberal Federation, was sued for 19s 6d by John Scott Myers, of Obristchnrob, for services rendered to the Federation. The case was adjourned. The Board of Governors of the Canterbury College to-day passed a motion expressing regret at the death of the late Professor! Michell Clarke aad sympathy with his family - ' j At ths request of a deputation of citizens the Mayer has agreed to convene a publio meeting to ooasider the question of atllisisig the river Waimakariri as a ipuroe of electric acrgy for Cbristohuroh and district

PRISONERS ESCAPE

.United prefa Association—By Electric • Telegraph j Chkistchdrc^, Jan 7 > { k man named Osoar Hendeis«D, who was j arrested to-day for daserting from the bsrqijo j Auriga, eto»ped in m cantody mbn* being taken to the police lUtion, He w«* recaptured after a oh&ie of ikbout half an! hour; ' ' | While half « dtzm prlßon*r», who had been dealt with at the Christohutch Court, were being taken to Lyttalton, one of them named CuDDingh»tr> jumped out of the train and made fff, Ha was hotly pursued hy Conarable CunQinffham. The prisoner fell In (?«tting over Ta fence and thai wbi ipesdily ewßgbt

South Africa.

United Press Aiiocbtton—By Ekotilo , Telegraph-* Copyright

MOUNTED TROOPS FOR SOUTH AFRICA

(R«c«i»ed {annary 8, 8 56 p in) ; LdKftON, January t Five hundred mounted infantry have tailed from Malta for active service in South Africa. Twenty-eight Boer prisoner*, some cattle, and • number of waggons were captured by the British at Haramonia. A O»pet6wn City Guard is being formed, thus releasing four thocend regular troops.

FEDERATED AUSTRALIA WILL SEND MOBH MEN AND MORE HORSES.

Received Wakapaaka Jan. 7,928p0t, This Office 11 57 pm S¥DSBY, J»n 7 The Conference of Premiers con sidered the request of the Imperial authorities to send further troops to Sooth Africa; ihd subsequently Mr Lyne despatched the following cable to iMf Chamberlain:—-" At ft meeting of the Premiers of all the States of the Commonwealth they were much pleased with the expressed high com mendatioin of the Australian soldiers, and it was unanimously agreed to comply with the desire of the Imperial, Government for further drafts. So far as can be judged, to make up the balance of the Australian contingents, it will require about 2300"men and 2500 horses, and they can be ready about the end of this month, Shall j be glad to know how long the troops will be engaged for, and if the pay commences from enlistment, It is absolutely necessary that the Imperial Government send transports to convey ihem to South Africa, and it is very desirable that equipment, other than horses, be found for them oa their arrival there, The New South t Wales soldiers now there must have the option of returning."

London, Jan 7 The police force recently formed in the Western districts of Cape Colony j and mounted rifles from Capetown, are concentrating on Piquetburg road, fifty miles north-east of Capetown, | whence they will establish a line north j'wardßi " ■ ■ Town guards in many places are being organised, married men from Britain wishing to settle ia South Africa being offered special induce-: merits to enlist in the constabulary. Sir Alfred Milner ie asking the Government for one hundred thousand pounds to relieve the Cntlanders, one half supplementing the Mansion House Fund, the other t» be loaded on Trans* vaal security. ' ',J The enemy has damaged the KJeln fontein miae to the extent of a quarter of a million pounds. Two years will be required to re-start the mine. Lord Kitchener's troops are iusuffi cient to protect the wide area on the Rand. -i Four hundred troopi have arrived at Malmesburg, Oape Colony, where mar tial law was immediately proclaimed. Surrenderors have distributed Lord Kitchener's proclamation amongst the enemy's rank and file at Bethel* General Clements hai occupied Buf feispoort. General Brabant is organising a fiyieg column to operate under Lieu tenant-Colonel Gorringer, between the eastern and western railways. Bract Hamilton, In the Bothaville district, drove the Boers to the Vaal, and captured eight waggons, 153 women and children, and 1000 cattle. Professor Maartens declares that President Kruger's claim for arbitration iis outside the scope of the Hague Conference. '

THE CRISTS IN CHINA.

United. Press AMoolatioQ—By Bleotrio Telograph—Copyrighb

BUI3BJ A AND MANOHURIA Received January 7, 915 pm) Paris, JaQakry 6 Ld Temps Mtatno that tbo Russian protectorate over Fing • tient will nltimately mean that all Manobaria 1 will bo Koaeian. That, it ie pointed out, is radically irreconcilable with the policy of the European Concert and the principles of the Anglo - German agreement, or even Russia's own i declaration. London, Jan 7 Li Hang Chang has had a relapse. The Dowager Empress has telegraphed to General Feng-tze-tai to bring the entire Yunnan fores, consisting of 15,000 men, armed with modern weapons, from Yangtze northward*.

The Australian Commonwealth

United Pr«*p Association— Py Eleotrio Teleyraph—Coryr ght.

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S SPEECH

Received J»nu»ry 7, 9 52 p m Sydney, January 7 Sit' Robert Stoat, in propoi-ing the toast of "The Commonwealth," &t the Naval and Military banquet, Bald the Commonwealth mast proclaim to the people of Australia that it is a Govern ment absolutely free, recognising no distinction in creed or nationality, a; Government under which there is equality before the law, and suffused with fraternity. He did not envy the pioneers of Australia, or the builders of the Commonwealth. He envied 'be young Australians who have the work of constitution created for tbe whole of this vast continent. The new Ministry had an exceedingly arduous taik before it. It would have to get rid of provincial feelings which 'xist, and which would exist for years to come, and it had to start a ntw Government. He expressed the Ibopo that the Commonwealth Government would attain to a high position among the Governments of the world, and that it would show that it was ever keeping before it not merely commercial greatness, and not merely increase of population, but that it is keeping before it what should be the the ideal of every Government—to have the best race and the best breed of men, imbued with a higher concep tion of life and conduct than has ever jot obtained in any democracy.

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES

A State service was conducted by the Primate, assisted by the Bishops of Brisbane and Adelaide. The Primate also attended the Presbyterian service later in the day. High pontifical mass at St. Mary's Cathedral was celebrated by Bishop Dwyer, of Maitlandi, The Cardinal was present.

A MESSAGE TO THE QUEEN.

The Earl of Hopetonn cabled on behalf of the Commonwealth, thanking the Queen for her good wishes.

MORE BANQUETING.

(Received Wakapuaka Jan 7,10 50 pm, This Office 1123 ptn) Sydney, January 7 The Ohisf Secretary presided at the luncheon tendered by tbe New South Wales Government to Australasian municipal representatives visiting Sjdney. There was a brilliant gather ing in tbe Town Hall, nearly five hundred being present, including Mr Barton, The desire of the crowds to obtain a memento was to some extent the cause of an unfortunate accident at the Goal Arch, erected on the route of the procession, a portion of which collapsed. There was a large crowd in the vicinity and a man was slightly injured and his young daughter had several teeth broken.

NAVAL AND MILITARY SPORTS

I'he naval and Military Sports at tbe Agricultural Society's grounds attracted an enormous attendance The assemblage was pictureq ue from the appearance of the itmpef ial and Indian troops preaint in large force, their bright uniforms set off by the khaki of the Colonials, and the blue of the Navals, The entrances for the various events wera large aud competition.of the Imperials and Colonials keen. The latter managed to give a good account of themaelveit Seige&nt Brady's team of the New South Wales Lancers evoked great enthusiasm, winning the cavalry nword exercise prize, the King's Dragoon Guards second, 17bh but sars third. The competitors included the the 21st Lancers, Household Cavalry, and Roy«l Artillery. Colonel;Wyndham won the officers' prize for post heads, Lieut Dtngao, of the New South Wales Lancerß,||the officers' prize for lemon cutting. Trooper MaoGregor was first) for the Australian Horsemen's pri^e,an(l Lieut Hall, of the New South Wales Lancers for the riding and jumping competitions, in each cms beating Imperial competitors, Tbe Royal Field Artillery gave a fine display of driving. Several nasty spills oooured dur ng the day, but were nob serious,

Stosey, January 7 A large number of visitors made a pilgrimage today to Kurnell, on the Southern shore of Botany Bay, where Captain Oook landed in 1770. The weather wai beautiful. Messrs Seddon and Carroll and the Maori chiefs were present. After luncheon Mr Seddon thanked | the people of New South Wales for the kindness shown to the New Zealanders and displayed towards her sons return ing from the war. Mr Hawaii, in reply, said the Gov ernment had done its best to gather together representative men of Aus\ tralia, and on behalf of the Ministry and the people had extended friendship to New Zealand and the native repre* sentatives. He hoped and believed that they would soon see New Zealand join the Union. Then followed a theatrical represen* tation of the landing of Captain Oook. An old vessel nam«d the Endeavour lay in the bay. Presently two boat loads containing Oook, Banks, and Solander and soldiers and sailors* approached thfrshore whereupon a band of hideously painted blacks, specially brought from Queensland for the purpose, rushed on the beach and welcomed the boats by i pitching spears. So hostile was the demonstration that Oook ordered his gallant followers to fire. They did, using ancient guns, which must have made the men firing apprehensive of the results. However, the effect on the natives was that they instantaneously and ignominious!? fled Cook and his followers marched up on shore and took up a position on the stage. The ferocious natives, who somehow or other had been quietened, took up a position on the back of the platform, while Oook, Solander, and Banks recited lowebigh-soundingipoetry about the Commonwealth, which finally subdued the natives, for they made no further objection to being discovered Mr Seddon, Sir William Lyne, and Sir John Forrest congratulated the actors In his luncheon speeches Sir Wil liam Lyne said. that so far as New Zealand was concerned, he likened Mr Seddon to the Osar of Bussia, He jocularly remarked that if New Zea land decided to come into the union, Australia would hava to look to their guns, or Mr JSeddon would take Aus tralia to New Zealand instead of things being the other-way about Mr Carroll hoped the eojightened statesmen of the Commonweaitn would do their utmost to help to improve* She conation of the aboriginal!

Sporting.

TEMI KA "i ROTTING CLtJB.

Tlie follow?^ nominations have b*en r*« cfltvfd for «he-annual meeting on thel7tb:— Innovation Handic^?, of It sovi>; one mile an« a ba!f~-Trausit Rcyal, Young Belrfon,,Jemim», Mojc^, N ? »tim»ru, M!n Brady, Red Lijiht, Young Dajby, Silvertalt, Booßjngton, Skinnar Wearwel', Kaituna, F»ir B.oy. Tbapesmeks Handicap, of 15sevr; cne msls—Mfijot Robin, L-idywith, L»dy Brooklyn, Medor», Van Wiiki,Youngjßeriin Up Guards, Cuckoo, Wanaka, Mairo, Texas AJaio. TemokaGbakd Handicap, of 30 sots; two miles—Viotor Hugo, Spider, Daisy, Young Kentaoky, Stratbmore, Miraofe Jsak f Tracy G , Sydney, Miss Wiikin, Jaokoo, Makikihi. 1 FARMkR's Handicap, of 15sovs;OBe mile and a half— Msjor Kobin, Transit Royal, j Young Beldon, Miohacl Malonc, Moina. 1 Medora. Nifferton, Wai-itt, Wmrwell, Young Darby, Bad Light, Mambrino Kiog, i M»iro, Wanaka, Pvslicav's Handjoap, of 26 soy«; two miles—Viotor Hugo, Spider, Daisy. Yoaag Kentucky Strathtnore, Miraole Jaok, Traoy G., Sydney, Ngatim»ru, Waarweli Skinner, Cuckoo, Chandelier, Miss Wiikin, Jackeo, Makikihi, FBI.UN 6 Handicap, of 15 sots; one mile— li»dysmith, Jemima, Transit Koya)» Geneva, Danby, Lary Brooklyn, Kaitvaai

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashhurton Borough Council was held lest evening. Freaen t~Meiers E J Paul, H Davis, G W Andrews, R Olwk, H Wll!is c H M Jones, and J W Timmthi. The Mayer, Mr H Fcledlander, being abseat, Mr Favl vm voted to the chair, THB MISUSES, On the question that the minutes of last meeting be confirmed, Or Willie wished to have ib recorded that he had dissented ton the resolution accepting a tender for thing* Hog became it was the lowest. He wished thie recorded, because if the work wm set carried out better than the lack gives to the same contractor, he should bring the matter ap again. The Chairman thought it .was too late now to Introduce this matter In the minute*. Cr Willis said hU remarks now would metft the cone. Qouncillors would prebahlv remember them should the subject of the work in question be dealt with later ott. FINANCE The dri balance at the Bank was frepertei as £162 11s. The amounts received since last meeting were—Rates. 1900,-&4 8i 8d ? rents, reserves, £15 10s; auctioneers* licenses, £160; Domain account, £2512s 6d; asphalting refund, 12s 6d; library account, £1 4s; earth sold, £9 8s; pound aooouatt £2; and bridges refund 18s 6d. CORBKSPONDENCE Correspondence waa road as follows :— From the Clork of the Ashburven County CouQcil, applying for £10 to tbe Hospital, £2 4s 6d on account of teafio bridge, £3 8s 7d for licensing olerk'e salary,—AlJ the amounts were patted lor payment.. From the General Manager of New Zealand Bail ways, re a one day journey to the West Coast). ~Received From the Westland 'County Council, circulars about the one day journey to tke> West Coast.—Received. From the Secretary for Agriculture rt> inspection of. dairies and intimating that inspection grould commence as from Ist January.—Received and acknowledged From the Clerk, Hampstead Town Boarf r re formation of the S E. Beit, and asking that tenders be invited for the work in throe contracts The Engineer reported that tht work could be dene cheaper in one contract, and a disccasion srose upon the subject Cr Andrews was in favor of the work being done,in separate contracts, Crs Davis and Jones advocated thai the work be done under one contract* , An amendment of Cr Andrews' was carried ultimately, thai; alternate tenders be called for the work in one or. three contracts. 1 From A J Miiller re feooisg boroagb reservo, and asking the Council to pay ball the cost, £7 7s, of a dividing fence he put posed erecting.—Received, and applica« ! tion granted. Hie request for the Council to pay half the. so«i of turvey was also egrteS to. From T M Morrlasey expressing thanks en bshalf of the Old Men's Home for the excursion to Obrittehurch.—Received., From the Secretary of the Municipal I Ataociation re regulations under new Act,— Received. ABSENT COUJNCEMWES. The chairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor and Cr Scaly. Or Scaly desired it to be stated that he had attended the Jubilee celebration! and was much pleased with the treatment he had received from the Mayor of Christchurch. An apology was also reeeivedf for tbe absence of Cr J Davison, who bad. that day mob with an accidents WORKS COMMMTKK'S REPOBT 1 Messrs Breeze and McDonald'* Applies* , tion for Channelling—The Works Committee have decided to visit the localities for the channelling applied, for before reporting, and ask for an extension of time.—'Extension grantsd " - 2 Nohelty's Application re Broken Lamp* posts—Your committee, taking into cob* sideration .the purely aooldeotel nature of this occurrence, and seeing thai Nohelfcy has been laid up and so deprived of framing wages, recommend that tbe sum of £8 be | accepted by the Council (without prejudice) j in compensation for the damages sustained* i and that an agreement as to the manner aad | time for payment of the amount be ratcrcd into with the OounoU—Adopted : 5 Labour Gang—Tbe men bare beea ; engaged during the past four weeki in forming streets and spreading shfetglefcs contractor, carting material to and soil from the ooniraotors for channelling* making u& fixing bridges, removing shed from LTbrts* to Council yard, erecting fenoe a* jari, cleaning races in Domain, watering streets* tarring footpaths, carting, rubbish, attend* ing to the water supply and meiotenanoe works—Adopted 4 New Offices—The contractors have Signed the contract fer the areotloa of t&e new Council offices, and have tiommeooei work—Adopted The report as a whole wae adopted IHS7ECXORS BX7ORV, The Inspector's report on sanitary matters, slaughteryarde, eto, which was generally of a satisfactory nature was read and reoeiveit Dr Bolger had repotted to him one ease of soarlet faver» which, however was bow convalescent. Or Timmini said that breach of the rega* lations appeared to have been committed 1b that a report of this case of fever was not received until after the patient had re covered, and be moved that each loot! doctor be requested to report to the Counoil each case of infectious disease, as ie oooirred which was carried, Cr Willis remarking that this was unnecessary since tbe Health Act made reporting compulsory upon doctors and chemists. HBE SBIGAOB'S BKPOKT. The Fire Inspector reported ;the ocean rence of three fires since last meeting"- Reoeived—Some delay having ooonrred at a fire at Hampstead owing to some blocklsg of tbe water, it was deoided to refer oompkiDt to Fire Brigade Committee* te report; In the fire at> Devane'e, another delay was reported owing to the horse refusing work. This oomphlßfe wm alto referred to the Fire Brigade Ooamlttei*. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS AOB The new regulations of Municipal Oorpor* ation Aot were held over for consideration at a special meeting to be held ob Monday fortnight. CHAUKtLUNG Or Willie asked that, certain gaps in the concrete chftonelllng which 1 * had beta left at the west portion of the town be filled ap, aad moved that the consideration of the whole question of coaorete channelling fa the Borough be referred to tbe Works Commit' tee, which was carried, * COUNCIL WOBXMIN. Cr Clark's motion with respect to t&« increase of wages to the Borough workmen, whioh had bees several times bold over for a full meeting, again same ap and Or Clark in this Instance moved that tbe matter be disoussed ie committee. Cc Davis objected stating he was prepared to say all he Intended openly without going into committee: , Ofß ?»ai aad WUUs were in I ivew of tfet

THE ASH URfON GPAtoM ; I'OIfiSDAI, JANUARY 8 ISO!



Full moon Laat quarter Apogee New moon Ftret quarto? Perigee

or m „ 5 1144 md «. 13 8 8 in . 12 10 30 pm „ 21 26 »m „ 27 922 p m ,h. , 24 110pm



Uftto RUes Seti Jaaaary . 8 ... 434 740 „ 9  435 740 „ 10 ..4 36 739 „.. H .. 437 739 „ 12 «. 438 739 rt 13 .. 439 738



W»d*i Worm Figs, the wond«rfull Worrier", never fail lot adulta o* chi'drea Price



Smoke IfowVww



FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD I In another part of this paper appears an advftliiaementrworth the reading, aa it's for the public good. •■ It tells of ft free distrlba tion of Doto'a Backaohs Kidney Pills, a remedy for Kidney ills. Read it, »ndo»H at XBIC iBHBXJBTOK DBtTaCo, LlD 9 JANVAKY 9, from 11 a m to 6 p m CoER.roB Cholkri Infastgm—Nbvbb :.*'*' -:■■■■■■ ■' Knowh «o Fail ■"'' ■ -■-■ "■ *" Eming laab May aa infant child of our neighbor waa auietina from cholera infantam The doctors bad given up all hopaa of recovfiry. I took a bottle of Chainberlaln'f Oolio, Cholera tad Diarrhoea Remedy to the | houae, telling them I felt aure It would do ' good if used according to direotiona. la two daya time the child had fully rcooTered. ! She ()hUd io now vigorous and healthy. I have reoommendad this remedy frequently, and hay« never known it to fail.—Mra Curtis Baker, Bookwalter, Ohio. Sold by Ash barton Drag Company



IBS BBSS? BXMBO7 FOB fiTQMACH AND BOWBt WOOBLES " I have baea ia the drug buaineia for 20 yeara, and have aold mosb all of the proprietary medioiaea of any note. Among \ the entire Hat I have never found anything to equal Chamberlain's OoHq, Cholera aad Diarrhoea Remedy for all stomach and bowel trdublea,"aayaO W Wakefield, ofCplnjnbiM, Gi, (lTh!a remedy cured two i^are^aaee of cholera morbua in snyfamily, and I hare! rtcommeaded and aold hundreds of bottlea I of it to my cuitemera to their entire satisfac tion. It afforda a quick and aura curs in a pleaaanfe iorm,' For aala by Aihbtertoa Drug Oonpaoy



ITO«ING-PILES Anyone who suffers. from that terrible plague, Itching Piles or from Eczinaa will appreciate the Immediate relief and perma nent cure that comes through the use of Dmb'i, Ointment. It never fails. Free Sampletat Ths Asbburton Drug Co, Ltd, Whdnesdat, JanuMlY 9, from 11 am/till 6pm ■ ■'' Bandir & Sons' EtroALTrri Extract— Under the distinguished patronage of Hit Majesty the King of.'.ltaly, Awarded Diploma at the International Exhibition, Amsterdam, Aplcßowledged by Medic*l Clinics and Uni versltiei all over the globe. That the erode, realnom oils, which are now foUted upon the fublio undor the name of Euoalypi Extreof-*, mar aat be mistaken for Sander & Sons' Pore Volatile Eucalypti Extract* we state :—lt is proved by tetci made by the Medical Clinics of the Universities at Boon and Oriefiwald (Prussia), that only products that) are saturated with oxygen and freed of acidt, resinous and other substances adherent to primary distillation, will develop the curative' properties possessed by the plant* To avoid the appalling consequences result* ing from the application of substitutes, etc., in croup, bronchitis, diphtheria.dysebtery, Internal Inflammation, etc,, insist !n getting Sander and Eons' Pcbk "Votii E lypti Extract, and be safe



/CARPENTERS' Toolß at bedrock prioea \J R«giatear Qratea from 12a 6d, Siicd Regiatrara and Mantiepiecea oomplote, from 52a 6d. Our prices defy oompstltlon.— Haeplktßbos 1



Old Harness Machine Belting, Etc. SET with » Hammer. F«m all Iron mongers and Storekeepers. BIFURCATED KIVBT CO., Ltd.. "London, England. Full particular* from Harrison & Webb, Auckland. (Cat thie out &ad nbow y. ironmonger. ]r_ ____„ __ i"



© + : * t If & W off:-** >*d ££) • 2"S a Si 3 ©as:7 ° Sill g J« , -' GO Q THE HOUSEWIFE'S FRIEND, mHE RAPID LIGHTNING QLOBB ia pronounced by the Ashbarton Public to be the oc3y reliable SfiIRT GLOSS in Aehbnrtoiil A Trial will coßvluoe yon o the diflerecco la qusHtyJfrom alt ethers in the masket. Sold by oil the 'esdlag Gtooors In A»hbarttn REMOVAL. REID &~GRAY. WE have pleasure in ftonoaooiog tb»t we have lemoved to Temporary Fremises in BURNETT STREET (Adjoinieg the Athbarttm Glob) Where we tball carry en oat bnsfness pending th» ereoiiou of Oob New Waeehousb k Seowboom.~ We &t* carrying » Jargei »ed more varied stock of ■ liiipietntnti and Fittings " Deeriag " Maohin*yy c Twiae.OiU, And All Farm®?*' Rcqaiiltei, Aod shall be glad to ace oor aumeroa* friendi ab our Bubkew Btbeet Pramliti. Wahtivo disposed of oor Jobbing Depart* ment to Munrs Kennedy and Muir> whom we can confidently recommend as up to date tradesmen* ".'-■■ . BBI.I> -&-ORAY, , R,B. RESXELL-, Manager.



SI ILL ADVANCING. CBAIGHBAD & BEKBYJiAfI HAVE just opened out, ex s.b. Paparoa from London, the largest shipment of New Goode the; have hitherto imported, comprising the most op to date Fuitinga from the beet Manufaeturere aa now worn at Borne. Their immense stock of Fashionable Tailoring (Jooda now affords customers each a splendid range of new materials of guaranteed quality and stylish pattern* to cboose from as show id please even the most, f«Bticliou(i, and their prioeß, workmanship, and fib wtll compare favorably with those of the leading firms in Christ church or other cities. They are also showing a grand lot of now Hafc». Shlrfce, Ties, Boots, etc., this BBftß-n Cisatomers would do well to place their ordeia early as 0. & B. have already » n>rgß Fomber of suits ©a the books promised before Xmas. 11 130 "/ TmslmEß. JT FURNISHING WAREHOUSE, ¥ (HBVBlook Street.) IT|TE guaraatee to sell at Ohrlstchuroh prices for Cash or Time Payments. 1 14 FOR SALE, PURE & HALFBRED TAMWORTH PIGS ITTO Farmers parchasins' Halfhred PIGS We are prepared to buy them for Bsoou 5 ptovided they are fattened on grain or Peau, VABMEBB' MEAT SUPPLY CO* 2 5 Jfl RDI.BI. 'tf rf ASK FQR *^t W Nelson *■ NEW TARlt(f%i^jF' CHAMPION BLEND j I© OTHER PRICES: '&*. ' no CHINA TEA USED BY US/ , ' -n • NICOLL BEOS. Niooll. E F Niooix, L A-Nicoli . Merchants & General Agents, BTJYKBB OF FAT SHEEP & LAMBS. 4GENTB FOR— Christ church Meab Cot, Ltd Islington Fertiliser Little's Sheep Dip Ocean, Acoideat and Guarantie Oorport tion, Ltd United Insurance Co., Ltd. (fire and Marine.) CHAIN BOUGHT AND BOLD ON COM MISSION We ehall be pleased to receive samples from faimera who.have parcels for disposal. Station Books Keifs and Audited. We have received sumo 'of Traafc Monies, rangiag from £100 to £1000, to lend on Freehold Securities &tH and b per cent* PEUIT. Wa roaeive reguloi' Conslgßmentß from Auckland, Sydney, and fche 'litandi find have in stock Apples, Pears, and FratUQ 9e»Bon all the year round* SEEDS. We stock Clovers, Byegrase, S»pe> »ad |*urDip Seed of reliable quality.



TflS Vf EDICT OF ALL PBaCTIOaL BIDBES IS IN FAVOUtS OF EIDING BUILT with Butted Tubing, Short Berncfe, Narrow Tread flroh'or Box Crowe, |"n or lin pitch roller Chains overhanging cli»in wheels^ Any style Saddle, Handles, Chain, ej>c< Any ge&r, any height frame ; al»o dust-proof throughout ' ' TiNE PRICE' TO ALL- : J^2l ■. ' OATFS, LOWKy'aND CO., Zealandia Cycle Worksi BURNETT STREET, AB^BURTON, The Equitable Life Assumed Society, of U.S Head Office for New Zealand—Wellington, DIRECTORS, with power to issns Policies and pay claims; H D Bbm., Esq, Obairman. J Pbbctt M Thomson, Impeotor of Agenoleo. Albert Mabtin, Esq, MD, | E Trbvob Gould, Resident Secretary; BTKONGEST lIFE ASSUKAKCE SOCIETY IN THE WORLD Fikanciai. Position,- Asiturance in force ... .„ £219,670,058 I Surplus over liabilities ... £12,711,97 Accumulated funds... ..« £58,573,185 j Annual income .„ „ £11,286,1^5 A Mutual OQicr. AH aarplaa belongs to the polioy holders. Send for particulars of the Guarsntead Cash Value Polioy. NICOLL" BROS, ..' Agents, Asbbnrton. ' 12 47 PARENTS ARE INVITED I TO INSPECT OUB STOCK OF BOYS' CLOTHING, BOYS' Guard Soits 8s 6d ; Boya'Blouses 4a Boys' Norfolk Soits 12s 6d ; Washing Sniti 2* 6d 11 Alasent-Minded Beggar " Soits 18s 6d Best Y&lue to be obtained anywhere. Men's Sac Suits from 21s to 65s Men's Tromers 7s 6d ; Teoni's Tronßeis 12s 6d. k nice variety o! Summer Goats in Kbnrki Serge, Sattem*. Alpac», Etc. NZ. CLOTJBING FACTOUY. F. H. BECKINGSALE, Manager. ,