Mail Notices.

Mails olnse for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : MONDAYJ AN 7 For Northern Ports and Wast port, per Tamwera, a 1 &30 p m TUESDAY, JAN 8; F6r Northern Porte and WittOoa t, per Rotomabans at 6 30 p n The mxfc beet despatch to the United Kingdom ia via Sen Frnrsoircs leaving Christjchurch on J»n 16th, and due London Fab 16. Notb—Tho Australian Commonwealth not yet having adopted penny prsfc»g«»,lettprß for Australian Colonies mmt be prepaid ?.J psr half nunce If only prepaid one penny they will be surcharged double the deficient postage Express de'ivory and special messenger services will be established at Asliburton an from Ist January 1901. Kxpress delivery will cover letters and parcels not exceeding three lbs m weight, for which an e^rra fee of sxponce hfts been paid, Ihe special tries sengor service means placing a messenger at the disposal of any telephone exchange subscriber on request teiag m\de c and a fee of sixpence for the first mile and threepence each additional mile up to two miles or time payment being made

EPHEMERIS

Phases of Mood for January

SUN.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Ashbarton daily for— OHRISTOHUROH—at 720 am, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (exprees) TIMARU-at 10 55 a m, 3 80 pm DUNEDIN—at 12 54 pm (expreae) SPRINGBURN-at 4.25 p m

Trains 1 arrive daUy at Ashburton from— OHRISTOHUP.OH-at 10.45 a m, 12M p m (exprese), 8 pm" TIMARU-at 10.35 a m, 2 55 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (express) SPRINGBURN-ftt 9.45 a m

Commercial.

HAVELOCK STREET MART.

Mr Henry Stepheneon reports that owicft to the holidays there wai a smaller attend ance than usual at Saturday's sale, and rates all round were somewhat lower. There was a good yarding of pig*, and the following prices were realised :~-Weaners 7s to 9a 6d; email stores 12s 6d; large stores 17s. In o >W8 k fair number were (ffered, but were slow of sale. Prices ranged from £5 2a 6d to £5 ss. Fowls sold t»t Is to 2t 6d ; ducks 2s 6t), and geeae ss. Produce sold hi follows:— Wheat, pig feed 3a 63 to ss; chiok It. Potatoes (old) no sale, (new) |d to Id per Ib.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Quotations are as follows : — "A'heat-—Hunger's, penrl and velvet, 2b 4d to 2* srl, and Tuscan 2s S3 to 2b 61. (jats — Canadian la 9', short fepd Is 8d to la {?,'-<!, Dues Is 71 to Is 81, Danish Is 7.1 to Is 7|! Barley (nominal)— Malting 2b delivered flour (millers' quotations nominal)— Roller £7, stem £6, sharps £3 0-, br.in £3. Oitmca'—£lo Branr—2" 4d to2i 51 Peas—Pruevian Blues S2i to 2s 31, part" ridue 2* 4.1 to 2s 6d O&tsheaf Chaff ~ 42i 6d at^near country station". Hay- £3 5s to £5 10 ■, deliver 1 d s prlmetfc baled £4, f ob ! Seeds—Ryegrass, farmers' lots It* 91 to 2b, prime J favy, town dressed, 2* 6d to 3» M, fjockefoot, 2^4 to ?-|d for bright seed, to 3d for extra good, town machine dressed Idib to 17lb peed, 3J;I to 4d, cowtjraas 5d to 6d, extra choice 6^l, White clover, 6i to 7£d, Dairy Produce—Cheese, dairy 5d to 6d, faotory 51 to 6d Butter—factory, local, lOd, daiiy 7d to 86, salt, m boxes 6d to Id. Bacon and huma 5j 1 to 6d, factory bacon end ham , I per Ib higher. Thfl abt.ve prices, except w!ie*e otherwise s'fttod, are those paid to f^rriJTS, f,o.b Lyttelton. * |

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1901. A VALUABLE BOOK.

By fer the most interesting and impor tant contiibution to the literature con nected with the war m South Africa id Dr Conan Doyle's new book entitled *• The Great Boer War." Besides having the great literary reputation of tha author -to recommend if, this volume is the result of the most careful research into the past history of the Dutch lepublicp, and of Great Britain's connection with them ; added to which is the facfe that Dr JL>oyle was himself on the scene where the stirring events he records took pluc?* aad during the progress of ix?oßt of them. That which makes this history especially valuable, however, is the impartial manner m which the author treats both Briton and Boer, This is a" very difficult thing to do, when the historian writes during the progress of the events described, and while men's minds are apt to be influenced, and their opinions coloured by national feeling, and racial prejudice. Dr Doyle recognises and re ccrds the noble Qualities which theß.oers have displayed m the course of this lamentable struggle, as readily as he does those of his fellow-countrymen ; and he criticises the mistakes of leaders ob both sides with rqual impartiality. I Of eoiirae, it is impossible for us m £be | space at our command to deal at length with more than, one or two portion? ojf this most interesting and instructive book. But there are one or two points treated of by the author, to which we should like to draw attention, One is the explanation as to the cattse of the quarrel, and the account of the negotiations leading up to the outbreak of hostilities, We should advise our pro-Boer friends to read the book, if only to get a better idea of the position than tbry have. If it can be shown that Great Britain did all that was possible to avoid war, and more than any other European nation would have done under similar circumetancep, and that the Boers bad been for a long time previously determined on war, the views of Boer sympathisers mueb be modified. Not that Dr Doyle does not sympathise with the people of the Booth African Republics, for all the intelligent portion of oar tonntrymen j do sympathise with the unfortunate farmers of the Dutch race, who have been brought to such dreadful straits by the wicked machiofttioos of their 9 \ ■■■:■ • .••'■•'

leader?, Their position-has .been partly | brought about by that pfculiar aitri bufe cf modero hnman nature -'wh'ch-! increases m jfFct according to thfjj ignorance of the people—to have i unwßvering faith m leaders they havej once givon thoir allegiance to. The gross ignorarce of worldly affairs shown by the Boe^s is poniething to wonder at. The results of such a comparatively unimportant cause have sh'tkrm , the civilised world, apd wiped two nations out of extstencp. One of the finest chapters m Oonan Doyle's book is thnt devoted to tho P^ar deberg incident, /rhen Oron|« and his army were captured by the British We have rpad many accounts of this ; affair, some from correspondents of newspapeiß, and some from private individuals claiming to be eyewitnesses of that historic event. • Bat none that <ye have seen can equal the magnificent description given by Oonan Doyle, which paints the scenes daring those terrible ten day*, during which the braire old Boer "stood oS " the fineat army Britain has put into the field i since the Peninsular war. It is worth buying the book to read that chapter j alone. One ceases to wonder at the confidence placed m the Boer com mander, when we read how, with only some five or six thousand men, he re fused to surrender to a splendid army of seven times his number, al though he had only the very" faintest hope of escape. But while | there was the smallest chance of relief ; reaching him from outside, he fought on. How he and his army did fight may be gathered from the fact that his re sistance cost the British eleven hun dred casualties. When the bitterats 1? of this unhappy struggle has vorn off, and the Dutch races m South Africa 1 are part and parcel of the British Em pire, the record of the splendid exhibi tion of Orouje and his farmers at Paardeburg will be conceded a place among the most shining monuments of national valour, Dr Oonan Doyle's tribute to the colonial troops is the more valuable m view of hi* remark-. able impartiality. »'Be it said," he writes, " once for all, that throughout the whole African army there was nothing but the utmost admiration for the d*sh and spirit of the hard riding straight-shooting sons of Australia and New Zealand, In a host which held many brave men, there wer© none braver than they."

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

There is still a good deal of uncer tainty about who are going «way from ' the country districts m the Sixth Contingent. It is not yet clew whether the troopers who are returning to the front will be included m the new Contingent; or whether they will return to their regiment. The question of the d fference of pay (4s md 5s a day) appears to complicate matters some what, for it is obvious that the return* ing trcopora are entitled to tho aame pay ac those just going out for the first time, while it is equally obvious *hat those who hive been fighting all the time will expect similar treatment. With regard to the list of-selected men published m this issue, it mRy bo men- ! tioned that these men represent c< Can : terbury's own." Thej nvc bring equipped ; out of the same fard and on similar lines ] to the Bough Riders (Third),' and their : equipment and horses are being provided , for by private donations,, The Ira f eii*V|j Government t ko them over on,.;th<i:>j troopdi'p, The other men—of whom 105 are rf quired from CaDterbary—-bayp to go' 1 to Wellington this evening, and ns they have to undergo the riding aud shooting tests it h quite poßsib'.e that some cf them may be n jected. Unlpsa it is ! the Intention to p>»y any expenses they j may be put to, should this happen,,we*j cannot understand why alt tho to ts ware not gone throngh m Ohrißtchurch* j As it i-=, tbe notice is cf the eborttat.

Local and General.

Weather Rkpobt -^Captain Edwin fore r caste ;—lMortb to west and southwest gales ; glass falS, indications of rain. Wjoth's Cmoua—Mr Middleton, advacca agent for Wirth Broe.' celebrated .o!rcu«, was m Ashbutton to-day, arranging for a circus" entertainment on Friday evening next, Uth insb. \ : , ; The Latest In £»tuGaiiKG,— The Paris officials have received instructions to be more stringent on cyclists. It has been discovered that smugglers have been using the tyres of their machines for the purpose of smuggling alcohol into the city by filling the tyree with the fluid instead of with air. The force of custom officers is to be strengthened. The Hay Cbcp.—The hay crop throughout the country ia now being rapidly c:fc t down and with fine weather ihiuld this week be stacked. Owing to the abundant) crop and also the shortage of stook a large quantity of hay it being harvested this season. Pebsonal.—Mr J. B. Mayno,,^formerly head master of the AshbuMcß Borough School, passed through Ashburton today ob a bicycling trip to Timaru —Mr Gray, senr., of the firm of Reid and Gray, is at present id Ashburton.—Mr Renner, oar local post* master, purposes leaving for the north to* morrow &n a well earned holiday. BiwciiK Tax.- Discussing a tax on bi cycles* a correspondent of the London limes gaysr—Why not say 7s6la yeary the same as the dog tax? It would command more consideration and yield an appreciable in* crease m the revenue from a olaes who 'at present contribute vety little, if anything, fo the public exchequer, except perphape a email something m the way olf smoke.—This paragraph was evidently written by a bon cyclist j Oran.ge HAtp-In ouf Ibsuo of Saturday we mentioned that; the Orange Hall had been passed m at auction at £1625. Subse quently the property changed baodc, Messrs Reid and Gray, the well and favor ably known implement makers having purchased it for the sum of £1800 We may congratulate this firm co-obtaining one': of the test available positions m the town for the purposes of tijair busineßs,; ' i 'The Lessons, w. the WA^R-Among the. many lessons of the Boer war that of tho shooting of the British troops aa oompareoi witb tbe shooting of the Boers is not) the least.' A letter from an officer at the front, who is a first-daea rifiamsn, appeared lately, m the London %», »nd,we rer. produce it on. our foartli p>ge. Btbakoe Cqm?anions—Stud«nts of aatpal history will be interested m a strange ease of association that baa ocoured at a residence en the Whataupoko. A sitting of eg^a failed ; to produce more than a solitary, miserable looking chicken, and, ha mother being re> moved, it took refuge m a kennel occupied by a dog. The dog took kindly to the little intruder, and has ever since shared its bumble quarters with the ehioken, which ia now growing into a fine fowl* The two are inseparable ooppaniops.

RITURNISG HoLIDAYMAKFKS —Th» ordin ary fxprem today bended by two engine* included 10 carriages all of which were well filled Fhkaiu:g In Poveltt Bat.—Owirg to the irregular we±ther recently sxperUcced m the I'ovcrty Bay diitrxt-, eheanng has been grra ly rttaided, and the wool h»8 crme m much lighter than tl at shorn Uft year; It is placed ' y reliable o timates at from lib to l£'b per fleece thcrt of lastycai'a vroightf, Tn point, of q'ulity and condition, though, this seaeoa** ci p is fu'ly up to tha aVi rage r KCEPnoK ot RovAt Visi ORB. —The halJ wh oh the VVeHißgton City Oour;oil ptcposes building for the purpose of enabling the citz ne to cnteitftin tho Duko and Duchcea of York, will fecupy the piece of land m hfprccr s'reet hnmfdiattly m front ci the Board of Education Buildings. It is to be large rnough to accommodate between 20C0 end 3000 people. A Cub at Aob—Mr Noah Ruby is said to be the .oldest man m America, if sob m the world, !uvin£ recert y celebrated his 128 th birthday at PUlnfbld, New Jcwey. He has smoked forever one hundred years, and has been food of liquor during the game period, aod he smokes and drinks whenever he feels so inclined. He hopes to live several y»ars yet; DIS AFFECTION IN SOUTH Ai" RIOA,—P rom onr cable news to-day it will be ecen that eedition is still rampant) m South Africa. Tho authorities toom to have been perfectly aware of what wss going on, even as far biok as the beginning of November, for on the 9th of that month Sir Alfred Milnor, speaking at Claremont, made some very plain statements kboub the condition of affairs, A syeopsis of his speech will b<3 found cvt our Srst page. ; Social Mail Tbain,—X. speoial traia conveying south the Frisco mail reached Ashbnrtoo at five o'clock on Sunday after* noon. - It comprised a passenger carriage with four compartments, a luggage and % mail van. Half adc zen passengers travelled by the train southwards, including Mr J. Hogg, of Folding, who has just retnraed from the Traasvaal, being a member of the Third Contingent. Three bags of mails were delivered at the Ashbnrton post < She, and were sorted into the private boxes at the pO3t ofSae durinß the evening.

South Africa.

United Press Aescciatidn—By Electric . , Telegraph- Copyright london, January 5 ; Two naval guns command the ap proaches to Capftown. Others are being spnt inland Tho Cape Post Office Drpiriment is raising 600 men, tho Railway BefaitnsFnt 500, and Workmen's Associations 100. Since the special appeal was made 1000 have enrolled, A quantity of ammunition h*a been ielssgd at Pant!, from sympathisers with "tlie invaders. ; Sir Frederick Carrington, r.ho is at presnnt operating towards the Swazi land border, is expected to proceed south. A thousand men are enrolling at Vancouver for General Baden-Powell's South African Police. Is ia officially announced that Sir Alfred Milner has been appointed Governor of the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, retaining the High Oommissionerthip of Sooth Africa, Sir W Heley Hutchinson, Governor of Natal, has been appointed Governor of Gape Colony. lieutenant-Oolonel Sir, H E M'Oultum, at present Governor! of Newfoundland^ Governor of Na»tal, and Major Gooid Adams, Resident. Commissioner m Bechuanaland, to be Li«utenant»Goveroor of the Grange River Colony. Two hundred invaders of Gape Colony have re-croseed the Orange River, retiring; northwards. ' Former Boer rebels m Bechuanaland have rejoined their commandos, and are advancing on Griquatown, where there is a British garrison! Lieutenant- Colonel Williams, who is pursuing a commando §00 strong m the vicinity of Weltenreden, reports that he had five wounded. He was unable to dislodge the invaders of the eastern' district of Cape Colony from kopjes westward of Middelburg. The Boers subsequently withdrew towards Beth .esda. • ■• ■ The western commando is proceeding towards Galvina, while the eastern one has broken into small parties Another small commando has crossed the Orange River west of Aliwai North; Sydney, January 5 Arrangement? have been made for a conference of Premiers to consider the question of sending farther troops to South Africa. The conference will probably bs held next week, The question of acting m union will probably be discarded. MEpBpURNE, January 5 The Orient has arrived. The troops on board her include two hundred and twenty-s6' ren invalids, of whom forty, nine are New Zealandere, but even the invalids are tbia to get about; They infproved ranch daring the voyage- ■ Thja men will pome ashore tp morrow, ; . '.". : ■■ '" " " »F»n fjv. The Oripnt's returning troopers landed and marched through (he streets to the Exhibition Buildings, where tbfcy were ojß daily welcomed by the Minister of Pefence and other Ministerial and military heada, who made speeches eulogistic of their services. The officers commanding the various detachments replied. Big crowds witnessed the proceedings and much enthusiasm wab displayed.

A Serious Case.

A GIRL SHUT UP IN A BUT.

Fir some days the Christchiinsk police have bepn m search of a young girl who has baen miefcioe: from her hrmej and they evm'nally traced her tr> a hufc occupied by a fisherman m Sydenhatn. They interrogated the owner < f the hut, and he denied that the girl was ucder his roo*. Howevrr, at mid night on Saturday Detectives Livingstone and Fahey managed to gain an entrance to the placp, and there found ihe girl m a terrible p ight. They at onco arrested the man on a charge of indecent aaeuuH, and had the g:rl examined by a dcotor. who found her to have received serious n j lrles. Ths roan is over sixty ye*rs of age, while the girl is under sixteen.

Army Commissions

APPOINTMENTS OP NKVV ZBALANDERS

United Press Association—By Eltotrlo Telegraph—Copyright London, Jao 5 The following New Zealanders have accepted cooimusiong m the regiments named :—B F Ward, Third Haesars \ L P Russell, Weft Yorkshire, E Witheford, Wiltshire; J Watson, North Stafford; Captain Garcia, Dur ham ; Lieutenant R W Oollins, Ox fordshire ; Lieutenant H Howell, Manchester, Sergeant E Laecelles, Third Dragoon Guards j Sergeant E Fitzgerald, Essex; Sergeant V W O'Farrel), Derbyshire^ Corporal G P Overton, Northamptonshire j Trooper 0 Steel, Berkshire; Trooper Whit'eman, Middlesex j Trooper G W Geddes, Munster

Coal Famine in Melbourne.

HIGH PRICES AND LOW STOCK

United Press Association—By Ekotrlc Telegraph—Copyright) Melbourne, January 5, A great scarcity of coal {exists owing to the long Christmas holidays of the Newcastle miners, arid tha shortness of the local supply. Prices range to forty shillings per ton, and a further rise is expected. The scarcity is serioußly interfering with a number of manufact ories, and some are partially closed.

The British Army

THE NEW COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright! London, Jan 5 Lord Roberts has assumed his duties at the War Office The forts Bfc Portsmouth are being rapidly rearmed with quick firing gum.

The Australian Commonwealth

United Prett Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright,

£ ydset, Jan 5 It wag past midnight) before the company on board the Mokoia broke up after wit nessing a display of fir* works, which was a revelation to the New Zealand visitor?, A large number cf representative people assembled m tho saloon, and Mr Seddon proposed the health of the Union Steamship Company, and thanked the oompany for having given them an opportunity of seeing the marine illuminations from such an excel lent quarter. Mr B H Wi'e, Attorney- General of New South Wales, expressed the thfttks of thaNew South W*l«-b Govern -1 inent to the Union Steamship Company and other private firms for so ab'y seconding the Governuaent's ifforts to make tho Common wealth festivities a success. Federation would not be complete until New Zealand came within (ha fold. He expressed a strong hope iliat she would do to, Mr Jackson, of the Union Company, m reply, eiid that; though New Z'aland was rntside the Cow men wealth, he was. p'eared to find that hie offer to furnish one of the company's steamers to-form an escort to tho Royal Arthur when the Governor General arrived had bfeD accepted. Mr Seddon proposed the health of "the New South Wiles Gi vetnment and the rffiiiia's who had been charged with the duty of providing for the entertainment of the visitors. Mr Carroll and one of the Maori chiefs, Rata^a Ng hina also epokes Cardinal Mono, on behalf of his Church m Australia, has presented the Governor. General with an address of welcome. An address was also presented from tbe Pretby terian Churcb of New Zealand. Sir William Lyne has received a cable message from the officer commanding the Australian Contingent m China,' conveying the good wishes of the Italian troops to tbe Commonwealth. A trouble has arisen over the Federal Cus° tomi regulations. A deputation of Hobart merchants has petitioned the local Treasurer against the new schedule, which ib declared is unworkable. Similar complaints have been made m Melbourne. The matter has been referred to Mr Kingston. -The Federal Ministers have been Allotted offices m the Colonial Secrefcarya Depart - meat. Lord Curaon, Governor. General of India, telegraphed cangratulatlons on the inaugura tion of the Commonwealth which was, he say*, marred only by the, iltaesi of Lady Hopetoun He it proud to learn that the Indian troops looked well

Sypney, Jan 5 Sir William Lyne, oa the strength of legal advice, declares that he has not forfeited his seat m the State Parlia ment on nccepting a portfolio In the Federal Cabinet, and he will not re sign the office of Stats Premier at pres ent Ho considers that it would be particularly inconvenient for him to do so just now, m the midst of the Oom moowealth celebrations A monster combined Trades Union and friendly Societies' demonstration was held to-day, to celebrate the Com mon wealth. Some twenty eight Unions each headed by a trolly, carrying a banner, and a practical representation of its vocation, and a score of Friendly Societies, with a wealth of banners and allegorical representation?, on waggons took part. A band preceded each third society. The display altogether, was most effective. The procession marched down the principal streets to the Agricultural Society's Grotrod, at Moore Park, where aports were held m the (.fternopn. Many thousands of people were massed along the route • Mr Seddon received a most eathqs i iastic reception at the trades gathering afc th.c Agricultural Grounds. The Maori chiefs also received a warm reception, Sir W J Lyne proposed the healths of Mr Seddon and the chiefs. The Maoris were presented to Lord Hopetoun and made graceful poetic speeches, which were translated by Mr AL ft Fraser, M H R fop Napier, i Ratana and Tamahau were the speakers. They eypressed their gratification at the Governor's restoration to health. One said-—"You have been at death's door, Now we see yon well, and our hearts are glad.' We welcome you. We have longed, if the chance might come, to gee our gre»t Queen, but m shaking bands with you we feel nearer our great desire." Mr Seddon suitably responded to the toast of big health. A naval and military banquet was Md fit the Town te-»lgbt ? Tfcwe

was a brilliant assemblage. Mr Srddon ppologiaed for the absence of the Hon, J Carrel!. Sir H Stoufc proposed the toast of " the Ccinmonwea'th." He thanked New .South Wales for its rnfigniflcent hospitality, lie spoke m high terms of..the..great good order which prevailed during the dpmonstra tions. Referring' to New Z eland's attitude towards Federation, he raid' that it seemed to him that Australian 'statesmen were not unlike the Laird of Cockprn m wooing New Zealand to join. If they followed out the result of the Scottish 6ong thpy would remembor that the union afterwards came about and was bess d. If the Commonwealth , was to be a success they must have high ideals. New Zealand's sympathy was with them m the tack undertaken. Mr Barton, m replying, thanked Sir Robert Stout for the lofty tone of his speech. He valued it as coming from one with Sir Robert's experience as ft politician, and sn occupier of a high poeiCidn m New Zealand. 'Without divulging a secret he might say that the Governor General had prepared a general order referring to the good order displayed by the populace. He thanked the Imperial authorities for the grand display by the troops . Sydney, Jan 6 ;~ Lord Hopetoun has received the following personal message from the Queen—' 1 Accept my heartfelt con gratulations for the new year and for the welfare of my new Australian, Commonwealth.' 5 Included m the trades procession were carriages containing the Ministers of Public Works for New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and a number of local and visiting parliament tarians Ths attendance at the sports was very large, Lord Hopetoun, Sir W Lyne and Mr Seddon being among the visitors., Mr O'Sullivan, the Minister of Works, replying to the toast of the Ministry, expressed a hope that with Federation the remnant of the coloured labour m Australia would be wiped out. He gave an assurance that it would not be long before trades unionism as pattof the democracy would be an integral portion of the government of the; country. Mr Tren witb, of Victoria, replying for the Commonwealth, said that trades unionism had entered a new phase. In the past oppressive laws bad rendered it illegal, but it had broken through tnem and had attained a position of respectability and public recognition The efflux of Commonwealth visitors ' has fairly commenced. Special trains conveyiog the civilian guests from the southern colonies left last night, Others with troops will leave to-day and tomorrow Sir W Lyne disclaims any responsi bility m connection with Cardinal Moran's complaints m regard to prece dence, and says that the subject was settled previously by the Colonial Office. Whatever was prescribed m the rules laid down should have been carried out He understands that the real trouble was a proposed alteration at the last minute. Cardinal Mor&n claims that the Home Government communicated to Lord Hopetoun the order of presedence, m which the Car I dinal was allotted the place of honour above tha Primate. The secretary of the Celebrations Committee denies th« Cardinal's statement, and says 1 that an invitation was not gent tp the Catholic Bishops Special services m connection with the Commonwealth were held m all the chmchrs today. The Governor Gen- j eral attended m State the service m the Cathedra!, where a distinguished congregation ard all the members of the Federal Cabinet were, present. A great thanksgiving service' was held by the Presbyterians m the Town Hall, at. which the Governor Gfineral wus also present. Professor Harper, of Melbourne, preached on Australia for the Australians

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

United Press Association—By Eleotrls Telegr»ph-~Oopyrignt) London, January 5 , The Pt fcin correspondent of the Times states that Greit BriUm's complacency has led Eussia to claim poeseesiou of the important Shachaikwan workshops, the retention of half the Shanhaikwan Tien tein railway, and the rolling stock for the Nuichwang section of the line, also holding a lien on^Tientsin within the city wall, to cofef the»?c6it of repairs and transport.'- V'^'-y; 0;^ ; The I)aily Mail B&ja ih&t if Count Waldereee accepts 4he conditions the I railway will be transferred to him, and by him retransferred to the British. Thecraieer Blenheim has beee ordered to relieve the cruiser Undaunted on the China station, and the crniser Argonaut has been added to the British squadron on the fetation -

CRICKET.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA v. NEW £OUIH . WALES,

Sydney, January 6 There wsb a 1 ump- r aitendacce st the cricket mn'ch yesurdity. Smith Australia •o ita/irst innings scored. 167 (BaiUy 57, Hill 65. New Sou- h '.Vales lost coe wiokeb 'or 224 ( rrnmrifir 70, Ired*la cot out 107, Noble not oat 45, '

CANTERBURY v. AUCKLAND.

C'HP.ISTCHURCH, Jan 5 Thi ititcrproviucial cricket n<atch, Canter* bury v Auckland, was concluded thisefter> no n, and rf suited m a win for Caoterbary hy s x wicked. Canterb rye first ioninga cloied for 290. Auckland, m their second innings, made 163-D Hay 60 and H B Lnsk 40 bfting the chief ecorers. Canterbury knocked up ths required number to win with the loss of four wickets.

A NEGLECTED CHILD

DISTRESSING SCENE IN COURT}

Robs Berkley, a little girl aged t!x yearn, was charged at the Magistrate's Court, Chrislchurcn, <m Saturday, before Mr Bishop, S.M., with being a neglected child, ia thai ehe lived with a reputed drunkard. Detective Fahey stated that the child* mother was la a chronic state of drunken* nets, nod lived » far from reputable life. He gave a number of dates upon which he bad rhitedher and found .her drank, with drunken men m the house, while the child was roaming In the etreete. Detective Livingstone gare limilar evidor oe. The woman was well connected, and had an inccme sufficient to keep her s , bat was a hopeless drunkard The mother admitted that ahe wai ft drunkard, but begged ibafethe child might no'j be *enb to an industrial eohool. She would seed her to some person capable of properly looking after her, and could afford to pay. Growing excited, «h« defied the police to take her child from her Mr Biehop said that the Magistrate! were always unwilling to t»ke a child from ft parent), but where the interests of the child clearly demanded such a course they oould not hesitate. The child would be committed to Burnhsm, The woman then aeized the child and made for the door, crying that no one ibofild take her girl, but waß stopped Eventually both mother and child, weep* ing bitterly, were taken to the Police Station is the police van SChe child was send to Nelson by the steamer oa Saturday night to the Stoke Industrial School

Mutiny on a Warship.

TROUBLE ON THE. BARFLIUR

United Frees Aseociatioi}'>-By Electrics Telegraph—Copyright

London, <Tancary 5 The Admiralty reports that the trouble on the Balileur was a minor disturbance, Implicating a few and re* pudiated by the remainder of the cre\r, Three men are under arrest The Hongkong correspondeoe of the Times eaye that the incident has been exaggerated, bat the ill-will cf ths crew towards certain officers call* for investigation

The Sixth Contingent.

The men who had offered for ihe Canter bury War Fund's contribution to the Sixth Contingent marched down to the Drillshed on Saturday afternoon, and n ere distributed among the different orderly rormj, In patties of ten, to await the arrival rf the dootors. Press of business at the Chamber of Com merce and elsewhere prevented any excessive punctual!y on 'he part of these, but Dt Thomas arrived at* length, and was soon followed by Drs R W Auderson, Clayton, and Thacker. A rigorous examination wm ihpn begun, and, os lhe eixty dwindled, others arrived during the afternoon to fill t hair planes. ■>■' So far the following hare been selected, but a few more h&d to present themselves this morning, including 'wo menders of tha Aabburtcn Mounted Rifles .—Jao Moore, Wairarapa, CYC Qorps; B L Hodgion? Xnvereargill, South Canterbury M B Corps j CW F Lukis, Hig fi^ld, Waiao, Amoii Cofpe ; Mosfyn Jones, Walm»te, Studholme Corps ; V M Button, Hindi, Athbtirton, Aehburton Corp>? ; H F Bavi,e», Weik Oxford,Cust Corps; CH O Cooper, Cmt>, Cost Corps ; Richard Allan, Fairlie, M»o kerz:e Corps ; Jasper Balr, WeclatoD, CM R Corps sC C Derrett, Horor»t», Malrern Corps; Jas Duncsn, Rangier*, North Canterbury Corps; F H BaylU, West. Melton. Wahnakariri M R Corp» A Willis, Lagmhor, Ashbarton M R Corpt | N Hursl-Davis, Waimate, . Stodhobjne Corps; Geo Smith, Kaikoura, Kaikoar* Corps ; Alf J Davidson, Faiclie, Maokaosle \ M.R Corps ; Frank Smith, Kaikonn, K»l koura Corps ; John Foraytb, Conit's liUod, Studholme Corps ; Geo Mehrteos, Rauglorft, North Canterbury Corps ; 0 H Salb, Fiaeoa Bay, C.Y.O Corps"j;G Crtmbie-ffiH, W«t Syreton, Oust Corps ; AH MoKajr, Silver* stream, Maokesz'e M E Corps j Geo Wi|heii ( TaiTapa, 0. M.R Corps Hia Worship the Mayor has raceired £50 from the employets of the North Canterbury Railway?, ezcrpt Lyttelton, who ar« de»f> (ng with their own funds, for the purpose of fully equipping onts man m ftgdftion U those arranged, to b« senb with the 0oa» tingent.

United Press Association—By ElaetHo Telegraph—Copyright Douxsik, January ? The Dunedin section sixth contingent left this morning by expresß for Wellington, The; paraded at the Gaiiteon Hal!, where jthe roll was oalled, every member being preeenti The galleries of the hall were orowdtd, oret 3000 being ib attendance. Oa the Sooralong with the men were Colonel Webb, the Mayor, and almost every officer of theiccalVclunteera. Colonel Webb, the Mayor, Colonel Smith and ex Chaplain Ronaldson gave short addreßMS, wishing them God speed. The men znarohed from the Hall to the station, the route being thronged with several thousand spectators, The utaoost enthusiasm prevailed. Afe the station the men were given a right good sand off, and as the train moved away the men responded to the cheering by giviag counter cheers for Colonel Webb.. Invescabgill, Jan 7 The Southland member* cf the Sixth Contingent), numbering thirty* with three emergencies, left by the express for the north. They marched through the town headed by the Garrfeoa Band, and »large crowd gave them three cheers at the tram departed, "- Napier, January 7 The Hawke's Bay and Poverty B&ytEe* taohmenta for the Sixth Contingent felt lor Wellington by express train tbia morning, and were accorded a hearty send off. The! selection is a good one, from a large 1 number of applicants!

'.If) /tfcliCl!ro& QVAII JA» s MO'iDAY l 4 J-ANtlAttY* t, l^Ol



Full moon Last quarter Apogee New moon Firet quarter Pei (gee*

D 5 13 12 21 27 24

H M" 11 44 am 8 8 am 10 30 pm 2 6am 9.22 p m 11 Opm



Date anuary )i >> »» tv »»

3 .. 4 .«. 5 ".. 6 .„ 7 .. 8 ...

Ri*es 4 29 4 30 4 31 4 32 4 34 4 35

Pets 7 41 1 41 7 40 7 40 7 40 7 40



Metsrs-BftUrotyne and Co, Timwo, haw received an order for 150 cotton kharki uniforms for the Sixth Contingent fcot*e delivered on Saturday next. Fart of the necessary material caaie to hand by the express last Saturday



Death.dealing and destructive Lyddite Shell Forms part of modern soldiers' art, .Not as of old when noble warriors fell - Laid rudely low by spear or dart* Yet wai'a degrading to the human race* And will not make our lives secure, Though one-can now -ill dirty weatherf*** By taking Woods Great Peppermint Cure ■ ' - -■"!*' y ITCHINESS OF THE SKIN & ECZEMA. The only remedy m the world that will at ODoe stop Itch!ness of the Skin on any ■paft of the body, and one that is absolutely safe and sever failing, is Doao s Ointment. Free Samples at Thb Ashsukxon Dbcg Co, Ltd, WEtNBSDAv, January 9, from 11 a m to6pm Smoke New Yeuuq



FBEE. T&'SM «———#.———- -.. • TO KIDNEY SUFFERERS. AN OPPORTUNITY WORTHS 01 YOUR NOTICE, If you suffer with kidney disease or any ailment arising from an improper action of the kidneys or urinary organs, this offer we make to the people of Ashburton should interest yous In the advancement of medic&l science, the kidneys being almost the organs of the greatest importance to human health, have nob been neglected, and in plaoing before you such a cure as Dean's Backache Sidney Pills, the proprietors recognise how far so many statements of the makers of flmilar preparations ha?e fallen short of their claims, and are convinced tljat no remedy for kidney complaints in existence equals Dean's Backache Kidney Fills for such ailments, being strengthened! in these convictions by letters that are daily received of the work they are doing for mankind's benefit;. Old backs and young backs are being constantly freed from never ceasing aches, and. many a lame and shattered one, stooped and contracted, is strengthened, invigorated and infused with new life. With (such a medicine, an offer of this kind can be made without hesitancy, for while we Icie the box we give to you, we make a friend that assists us in the sale of many others. A FULL BOX of Dean's Backache Kidney Pills will be given away free to every person suffering with kidney ailments who will call at the undersigned address, only 100 boxes to be given out. First come, ii rst served, and enly this one chance offered, Remember this is not a sample box, but a regular sfzs box of Do'an'* Backache Kidney Pills, which retails at three shillings, : . Remember, FREE DISTRIBUTION 1 DAT ONLY WEDNESDAY, January ,9th, from 11 ».m to 6 p.m, at the Ashburton Drug Company, .IM



FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD In another part of this i aper appears an advertisement worth the reading, as it's for the public good. It tells of a free distribu tion of Doan'a Backache Kidney Pills, a remedy for Kidney ills. Read it, and call at xhs Ashpustoh Dituo Co, Ltd, January 9, from 11» mto6 pin /CARPENTERS' Toolb at bedrock price b \J Registrar Orates from 12a 6d, Tiled Registrars and Mantlepieoea complete, from 62s 6d. Oar prtoei defy oompetition,~ HARPUYBaoa



SOKS' EUOALTPXI EXTRACT— Under tho distinguished patronage of His Majesty the King of Italy, awarded Diploma at the International Exhibition, Amsterdam, Acknowledged by Medical CHoica and Uni versities all over the globe. That the erode, resinous oils, which are now foisted upon the public tinder the name of Eucalypi Extraots, ma? not be mistaken for Sander & Sons' Pure Volatile Eucalypti Extract, we state :—lt is proved by tests made by the Medical Clinics of the Universities at Bono tod Griefswaid (Prussia), that only.products thai are saturated with oxygen and freed of acids, resinous and other substances adherent to primary distillation, will develop t^e curative properties possessed by the plant. To avoid the appalling conncquences result ing from the application of substitutes, etc., m croup, bronchitis, diphtheria.dyeentory, internal inflammation, etc., insist fa getting Sander and Foks' Tube V,oui E lyfti Extract, and he safe. ITCHING PILES Any one who suffers from that tenlble plague, Itching PiUs rr from Eczima will appreciate the immediate relief and perma nent care that comn through the use of Doan'd Ointment. It never fiiU. Free Samples at Tub AsHBtmToM Buna Co, Ltd, Wednesday, Jan-pary 9, from 11 a m till 6 pm



THE A BO OF I'D AKidnsy Education starts with $ Back ftcbem«B>ns kidney achs^ lame back measi lam« kidneys, wtak back means, weak kidneys, cure means Doan'a Backache Kid* cey Pills. Bead about the free distribution m this paper, aad call at sub Ashbortok DbugOq, Lip, Wkpnespat, Januaby 9, froroU* «nto6pm ■



WANTED Known—That one Oilolotlw nnd Ijlßoleumr are bought direct from the British Mills, »ndi »taod aflrivftllett for vssiety and value!—JlStohell »ndlnr»«f



THE CHRISTCHURCa MEAT CO, Limited. ISLINGTON MANURES Especially prepared for WHEAT, TUBNIPd* BAPE and any other crop, and to suit any description of soil. Oie&Hy rtased production wherever used. Satisfaction given everywhere. NiCOLli Bbos. store five varieties of th celebrated fertiliser. Price on application Allowance made for quantities. Letters will reoeive prompt attention. KICOLL BROS, District Agenti.



THE DAINTIEST LITTIB WHEEL THAT EVER WAS" "The BambUrP HAVING sold out of my old efcookof these etjperloy Bicysliea, 1 have bbc opened njp a f reah consignment of the LATE*ST PATTERN " BAMBLER" SPECIAL LIGHT EACEBS, KOAD RACEES, A ROADSTERS In all tizes and all fitted with the cw lasting G & J detachable Tyre. " 1?B[1S K,AM]BJL.«2X*.' OALb AJC«D INSFECI THE STOCK, Price lasy. Riding Easy. Machines the Strongest en Earth. AQCEBSOBIE3 'IN STOCK OTHER MARS FITTED WITP G & J TYRES, D. THOMAS.



P5 ° f « s 3 o %S w w < GO w I $ I ■■ £ I < & sj tf ■<D O ° N ° i.. W *2"S • H ► 3 I I s. B «& m f-\ £ oq W HH H rt Qj 2 § h .3 - cc



PARENTS ARE INVITED TO INSPECT OUR STOCK OF BOYS' OLOTHIKG. T> OY&' Guard Snits 8s 6d ; Boys' Blouses 4a Boys' Norfolk Snits 12s 6d ; Washing Suits 2s 6d " Ab3rnt-Minded Beggar" Suits 18s 6d Best Value to be obtained anywhere. Men's Sac Sails from 21s to 65s Men's Trousers 7s 6d ; Tennis Trousers 12s 6d. A. nice variety of Summer Goats m Kharkl Serge, Sattein, Alpaca, ltc» N.Z, CLOTHING FACTORY- F. H. EBCKINQSALB, Manager.



/ JAMES BAKER j/^ . Fdekishiko Warehouse, f (Havelock Street.) \TTE guarantee to Bell at Ohristchurch j prices for Cash or Time Payments. 1 141 FOR SALE, TUBE & HALFBRED TAM WORTH PIGS ff'O Fasnrrß purchasing Halfbred PI6S. We are prepared to bitf them for Bacon, ptevded th<y are fattened on e;rain or Peas. FARMERS' MFAT SUPPLY CO* j2 5 JH Rule. MatSanTNTw Vetr cards and Dolls m great vuticty &% Mrs A worn s, a'so » v*red' assortment of articles including IvVfdle Work suitable for preeentu. All the 1 .iVR fffe»pd at nnroinal priQPB *o clear. NICOLL BROS.; NicoLh E F Nicoix, L A Sicohh. Uctdaaxiis & General Agents, Y>tiYlfiSß OF FAT SHEEP |> ■ & LAMBB. 4.GBNTB FOR— Ohrißiohnrch ftleat Cot, Ltd lalington Fertilisers Little's Sheep Dip Ocean, Accident and Guarantee Corpora tion, Ltd , United Insurance Co., Ltd. (Fire and Marine.) GRAIN BOUGHT AND HOLD ON COM We ehall be pleased to receive Bamples from farmers who.have parcels for disposal. £satios Books Kept and Audited. We have received eutna of Trust Monies, reding frtm £100 to £1000, to lend ob Freehold Secuiitiea at«i and b per cent. ]? 11 U"l T. We weiira regnlur Oonsi«nmenta from Auckland, Pydney, and the Islands ,and itve m stock Apple,, Pears, and Frnifc m season all the year round. SEEDS. We itcck Clover».■ Byegraw, Bape, boo" Xaruip Seed of reliable <}«a)ity.



81 ILL ADVANGiRG. OBAieHEAD & BEKBYMAN HATE j'Jßfc opened out, ex 8.8. Paparoa from London, the largest shipment of | Xew Goods they have hitherto imported, noraprising the most up to date fcuitiegs from j Ihe best Manufacta era 88 now worn at -j Home. Their immense atock of Fashionable Tailoring ('Oodß vow Rffoirdu cuatomera auch a splendid range of n«w mate-iak of guairsn eed qua! ty and siyliah patterns to chooee from rh Ehoo'd pleasie even the most fftatifliou*-, and their prices, workmanahip, and fif will compare favorably with those of Ihe lead ifjgiimd iv Chriaichurch or other citis-. They are also ehowing a grind lot of prw H»t«. hhirte, Ties, B^otß, «tc, this f-eae a Casloniprs would do well to place Ihek crdftn early as C. & B. h»ve already » r.rff^ rnu.ber of euita on the booka promised before Xma^, __1L1? ""g.'^esson, PRACTICAL WATCHBud^EK AND JWELLER "Tf^ViKG ittkrs a lease of oce of tie new ?h<-ps m Pa vis's oorner, I am now thowing a large and varied ttnek of Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery Etecticp'ate, Etc, Euilable for Cbristtnaa and Wedding Pre sents at prices which defy enrpetitioo. Note the Address—Davis 1 Corner,



The Equitable Life Assurance Society, of UM Head Office for New Zealand—Wellington. DIRECTORS, with power to issue Policies and pay claims J H D Bell, Esq. Chairman. I Percy M Thomson, Inspector of Aganoie». Ai-bkkt Martin, Esq. MD. I E Trevor Goplp, Resident Secretary^ STBO^GEST lIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY IN THE WORLD t - - i Financial Position. Assurance fn force ... .„ £219,670,058 j Burplras over liabilities ... £12,711,97 Accumulated fnrd»... .- £58,573.185 j Annual income ... .- £ll,28&»146 A Mutual Office. Al BUrplus belongs to the policy holders. Send for particulars of the Guaranteed Cash Value Policy. NICODC" BROS, Agents, Aehbucton, 12 47



THE VJSBDICT OF AU. PRACTICAL BIDBSS IS IN FAVOUR OF RIDING BUILT with Butted Tubing, Short Heads, Narrow Trend Srch'or Box Crown, £'n or lin pitch roller Chvns. overhar.gintt eh*in wheeiel Any Btyle Saddle, Handles, Chain, etc Any gear, any height frame ; ul?o dust-proof throughout", ONE PRICE TO ALL—£2l OATES, LO WRY AND CO., Zsalandia Oycle Works, BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON.