THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains cave Ashburton daily for— UHRISTOHUROH—at 7.20 am, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TIMARU—a- 10.55 am,350 pm DUNEDIN—at 12 54 pm (express) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 p m Trains arrive dnUy at Ashburton from—» CHKISTOHURCH—ah 10.45 am, 12.48 p m (exproes), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,255 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 pm(fixpreßs) SPRINGBURN—at 9.45 a m

EPHEMERIS

Phases of Moon for February

SUN.

Mail Notices

Mails close, for the following places aa under, subject to the necessary alterations : ; FRIDAY, March 29 j For Northern Ports and We 6 p »', also j Australian Colonies (due Sydney April 4th), Smith Af;io», etc, per Weetralia, «t 630 •p m _

Commercial.

THE LONDON MARKETS The Load on agent of the Associated Far mers Companies cl New JZealand sands vi the following reparfe by the San Francisco mail dated London, February S3, I9OJ :— Wool—The first series of public gilea of colonial wool which opened on the 15th January, closed the 9th inst, after occupying 22 days at an average of 11,881 bales per day, Against 10,594 bales at the corresponding series of last yenr.l! Sold quantity amounted Vo 245,000 baton. Export absorbed of this about 100,000 bales, or 46 par cent, inoluding about 5,000 bales for the United States. The series opened firmly wjhh an alNrouad advance of 5 to ?£ per cent, under ft good demand from all sections of the trade for immediate wants and to replenish stocks. Dewing Ihe ijiißt week, when requirement* were p*rily satisfied, a q.iieter tone pre vailed, and aided by tbe large quantity available, prices weakened, and for fine wools only an occasional 6 per cent adyanpe on Isib sale's rate* was obtainable, while mediam parosit Gold at unchanged prices, tbe poorer sorts, particularly Kcousrad lota, showing a decline of about 5 per cent. Now sod again the market rallied to uom« extant, bub only temporarily, and the final result of the auctions is to leave values at » some what lower level than that which obtained m November. In the woollen districts there ia no oh&nge m the market, and practically very little bueinesii passing with values very low. Topsinken ara Bteady as far as merinos are concerned, but ti»e fcj&np is not very confident, and m crossbreds thera ja a.'foeljng of oncer tftinty, lower offers being made. The arrives for the Becond series of sales (which commences o» the 12th pros), having reached 200,009 bales on fchs 00th inst, the list was closed on that day, and following are tho detaUs :~New Fouth Wales, 46,490 5 Queensland, 17,612; Victorian, 66,614; South Australian, 11,839 { West Audtraliftn, 10,834; Ta«mf»niao, 537; New Eeal»nd» 32,433 ; Op» and Natal, 22,897 ; giving a total of 207,756 bales, which, with the addition of oid stock, 94,000 bale*, and tha dtdufltioa of 83,000 bales forwarded direct fromatiip to Yorkshire and North, gives «> mt available total of 21,8,756 bales, against 257,000 baton avuilafole at the .oorrespondicg tcrir* rf last year, Wheat—-We are now experiencing »om« lerera wintry weather, which althovgh beneficial to the too rapid growth of the sown crops, interferes with farm work. Business on tbe corn market has been very dull daring the past week or two, the advlee of heavy shipments, and the fear of heavy prospective supplies from the Argentine hati had a depressing influence on values which have declined 6d per qr all rotibd for spot paroels »nd U for djetanj) cargoes | but millers show little desire to operate. English wheat is more freely offered *ti the county markets, but prioes still remain very low, the preeanti Imperial average prto now standing at 26s 4d agalnet 25s lOd a ye»r ago. From New Zealand the 'John O'Gauob' with 8,666 qrs was sold at the end of last month at 29s 9d, and a parcel by steamer which arrived ten days ftinoe, was sold at 27s fd, 0. i. f, for transhipment to the North In granary here long berried ia worth 29a 6d and 30b, and short berried 28s 6d and Sob 6i, par 496 lbs, There are considerable

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY MARCH 29, 1901. Local and General.

Weather "Report — Captain Edwin wires,, moderate or strong East to Korth and Northwest winds, glass fall, Biflk Match—lf arrangements can be made a team from the Geraidine Btflaa will come here on Saturday, April 6, and fire off a match with a local team. The Gas Company.—An advertisement appears Id t^is issue inviting applications for the position of Secretary to the Ashbur fcon Gas Company for the next six months, Mr Ward who has acted at Secretary for the last twenty three years having obtained a well earned leave of absence foothat period. ' Ashbuhton Poultry anb Pigeon Society —The Secretary of the Art Union m con nection with the above Show to be held m July next has received permission from the Colonial Secretary to holii on Art Union sad the principal prizes will comprise mineral specimens which will take tho form of gold nuggets. Musical Examination—At the last theo retical examination of the London College of Music the following [pupils of Mr L'eweSlyn Owen were presented. Senior Paacj MiesK Bell. Elementary, AnDie Gay, 0 ive Snod gr&ss, Violet Snodgrap, May Heseltine, E Booney. All the candidates have passed, carrying off 5 firs* class certificates. A Thibsty Hqbse.—-During yesterday's trotting races a horse of Mr Jewit .'s which was tied near the publican's booth on the ground became stnrtled and to the dismay of those who were quenching their thirst; ,in«ide the horee forced his way into the booth mov ing up to the further end of the bar table ; finding all iho liquor was in' bottles and therefore noli available he allowed himself to bo tail oil 11, without any damage remltiug. A Well off Pensioner—A applicant for an old age pension gave evidence at the Timaru Court yesterday »h»t hie wife had property to the value of £85, money m the Savings Bank amounting to £113 83 6J, and furniture valued at £20. Hi? Worship said that after subdivision the applicant's share would be £34, and granted £16 pension. The applicant was hardly satisfied, giving bia opinion very audibly'that i« waa 'very poor indeed.' Another applicant was granted £18. Consumptive Traveller —When the steamer State of California arrived at San Francisco recently, J W Thompson, one of the passengers who embarked at Victoria' (British Columbia), was refused a landing on the ground that be was nffl.Qtel with a eon fcagious disease. Thompson, according to a San Francieoo despatch, ia alleged to be a cocHiimptive. Thi« is the first instance where a person fflioted with consumption lifl.< been denied 1 landing at San Francisco, Mayfield Notß 9 — The Presbyterian church at Mayfield holds a tea meeting and after meeting this evening, andansnni versary sermon will be preached next San 1 day. The Wesieyan church Anniversary service will also beheld on Sunday neib and a tea meeting Is to take place on Good Friday. The Rev.« obert Erwin, D D., of the North Belt Presbyterian Church, Christchnrcb, will conduct) the services at Mayfield church on Sabbath next. Loafing In Cyclb Races—Great dissat isfaction has existed for some time m cycling circles owing to the dallying, usually referred bo as " l&afing " tactics displayed by racing men. To overcome this evil a new system, known as the " Bump Handicap, " will be tried by the Pioneer jiub at the sports mast* ing tomorrow afternoon. In a • bump ' raoe each lider must retire upon being overtaken and to prevent this he must necessarily rids his fastest throughout the race. The club also prohibits any rider from keeping close behind another so as to be paoed. This style of racing haa proved most at.trapjti ye m the Old Country, Discount Stamps—lt- will be rsrcem* be ed that Jfoasre Seed & Co., chemists of New Plymouth had a case brought against them l?y the Police for issuing a di; count ticket jn connection with a cash Register Company. The police lost jbhe case bat appealed, Mpssr/a Teed and Co not being able to fight an appeal, the B&tfonaJ Cash Register Co of Dayton, Ohio, which has an office hi Wellirg;.on, has fcaktn the matter up, and is now inviting eubscrip. tions from firms issuing discount stamps m order to meet the case m the Appeal Court. If the case is not defended it is understood tbar. all persona issuing dis* count stamps or tickets of any sort, will be liable to a fine of £10. Qualifications Fok A Mat r—The Timaru Herald thus summarise* {the aualt^c&'tjpbs for a Mayor \lt is of im portance thatjbhe Mayor shall not onJy be a man of tfaorou.fo'y" respectable antece dents and surrounding?, but that he shall have other qualifications^, which are not always found m cot janctiun with respect ability. He fhoald be co far master of hfa own time as to be able to devote some of it to the affairs of the municipality j he should be able and willing to take the lead on a vadety of public occasions daring the term of hie Mayoralty ; he should display an intelligent interest m the pro gress of works going on within the borough ; he should keep a watchful eye upon tjW DißijipipiSl expenditure, and should be stiong enough, »j? a representa tive head of the Borough (DonnoU. tp direct municipal officers and employees, rather than lean upon them and trust Implicitly to their judgment). Above all, he shoald be a man who can be trusted nob to ase his publio position for his own ends." This Dkesdsn Pianoforte Cosi?ant are now holding their annual sale of piano* and organs, when their large and varied stock of first jolmb Ipitrumente will be offered to the publio »b wholesale pripes for cash or on the most reasonable ternw Tfce Instrument! are on view at tfae the Dresden Agency,, M* Henry Stepheuson's auotiop room's, Havelock street. Their Mr R A Horue, ealssman ttom the head office, Dunedin, will be ia attend ance at the above address. The sale will last for a few weeks only, and intending pur chasers are Invited to call at ome and inspect the stock, when Mr Home will supply M ,lnfortn»tion required. Sw?

King Edward VII

United Preai Aeioeiation—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright Lohdon, March 2? ( The King hat consented to become patron of the Royal Colonial 'Initituts Hia Majssty is negotiating for a villa m the Riviera, and is arranging to leave England m the middle of April.

The Coningham Case

United Press Association—By Eipoferio j Telegraph < Sydney, March 28 In the Ooningham divorce action the case for the co-respondent has closed, and the petitioner has called evidence m reply. The judge intimated that unless an i arrangement was made for another judge t© take hia circuit work, he would have to adjourn the hearing to May 28. The hearing of evidence has concluded. Mr Want was addressing the jury when j the Court adjourned until Monday.

Present to New Zealand.

United Pr«u Association—By Eleotrlo Telegraph—Copy righ fc London, March 28 Lord Rothschild has presented the New Zealand Government with two Shire horses, worth £1500.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydnbv., March 28 In the libel action brought by • Billie Barlow ' against the Bulletin, fche jury returned a verdict for the newspapsr. A fire at Parramatta destroyed Mr Pollock's large store and a portion of the Cumberland Mercury oMce The damage is estimated at £6000, A search party came upon the half caste Lock and the girl Wood whom he had kidnapped. The former bolted. Adelaide, March 28 An interesting discovery of phos phate deposits and fossil remains has been made m the far north.

The Chinese Situation

London, March 2s. The text of Chinese decree, which has been published, says that ft powerful warning was given China on February 18tn that she was m extreme danger m ranking secret treaties involving the ownership of territory without the appro val of all parties. Several newspapers and New York merchants complain of Colonel Hay's recent refusal to protest against Russia's action m regard to the Manchuria. An Imperial edict published at Sin'gan* fa orders the Manchurian Convention not to be signed on the day fixed by Russia There is enthusiasm at Ha&kow, where the notables and gentry are protesting against the Convention, and are raising funds to sppose Russian agrefsion The Shanghai correspondent of "The Times" s=»ys the Chinese Court seriously contemplates the removal of the capital from Pekin. Mr Stonehousfl, of the London Mission* ary Society, whose murder by brigands m the neighbourhood of Tlen'tsin was reported a <?ay or two ago was engaged at the time In distributing relief. The Viceroys of the Yangtze Provinces, backed by the whole of the centra! pro* viucea, have memorialised the throne hi the strongest terms not to sign the Mancharian Convention. 1 The Pekin correspondent of "The Times" states that nothing Is aathorlta* lively known there, though there are persistent reports tint China has rejected the Convention. Reports received m Washington state that Sir E Satow, -the British Minister m Fekin, has protested against China negotiating as to the territorial or financia' concessions cmtil the present crisis is settled. ■ Tokio, March 29. Marquis Ito, the Premier, addressing his Parliamentary supporters at Yokohama said It was impossible to deny chat Japan f dlt the complication m China created by Russia, of to ignore the clouds on the horizon.

The Partition of China

•,__—. + It was a battered Chinaman A worried look he wore, He had been used extensively For wiping up the fl )or ; His heart was very heavy, and Hia tones was very sore. JJe was a heathen nh'naimn To superstition prone, A poor benighted infidel Who worshipped wood and stone : ! The joys of Christianity To him were all unknown. And righteous soaJs m Christendom Were deeply pained to gaze Upon such ignora- cc ; they fait Their dnty was to> raise That heathen and convert him from The errors of his ways. So Briton, Russ, and Mailyphist Devised a pious plot To lead him to salvation, snd Ihey taught him quite a lot. Th©y speedily knocked spots oft h'm, And each retained a spot.

News in Brief

Messrs Mating & Shallcroas will offer at the Geraldine sale on Wednesday next m lots to suit buyers 2000 two-tooth ewes from the Orari Gorge station. It will be seen by oar advertising o)lumn that Mr Henry Stephenaon ad.' vertisea a special entry of household furniture con Istlng of one piano and a quantity of (sundries. A.O & A.A-0 Sports—Competitors are reminded that entries close to-morrow •vening with the secretary Mi M Lynskey

& Sop' EpCALTJ-TI BXTBAOT— Under the diafcingplished pafcronage of His Majesty the KiDg of Italy, awarded Diploma at the International Exhibition, Amsterdam, Acknowledged by Medical Clinics and Uni versities all over the globs. That the crude, resinous oils, which are now foisted upon the public under the name of Eucalyp t Extracts, may not be mistaken for Sander & Sons'Purt Volatile Eucalypti Extract we state :—•lb ie proved by tents made by the Medical Clinicu of the Universities at Bonn and Grlefawald (Prussia), that only products that ere paturated with oxygen and freed o acids, resinous and other aubsUnpep adherent to primary distillation, will develop : the carative properties possessed by the planfei To avoid the appalling consequences result) ing from the application of substitutes, etc, in croup, Ibronohitls, diphtheria,dysentety ( Internal. Inflammation, etc., insist ta getting Samdbb and Sons' Pcbb VotATiNa Ecoa LYi'Si Exxbaox, and be safe, ; ! CONSULTING OPIIOIAN Mr Ernest M BandEtein, DB O Ai, F R }S. 0, who h»8 lately returned after six years 9 upeeiftl study in England and Con tincnt, iw»y pc popsulted on all cases of defective eyesight). Daylight no;c nepaasa ry artifipial light being used. Dojotorp- pre Bcriptions prppar^d. Pees jnodetate. Cop suiting rooms, Cash si Btreat W. f over M Sapditein, jeweller, Chritbchurr^l 9to 12 % 6 dj*Uy : r :

SOUTH AFRICA

United Preia Association—By Eloctrio Telegraph—Copyright Lonbok, March 27 General French, with Major-General DartneU'e column, has arrived at Vryheid, i Since General French commenced his sweeping movement iv the Eastern Transvaal twelve hundred Boers have been killed, wounded, or captured, and seven guns, one thousand rifles, 226,000 horses, cattle, and sheep, and 1300 wagons hav® been captured. Lieutenants Banks and Collet, of the j New Zealaudere, and Oampbell, of the ! Westralian troops, have accepted com missions m the Royal Artillery. LtNDON, March 28 Lord Kitchener reports m reference to the defeat of De la Rey by General BahingtOD, near Ventersdorp, that the letter's casualties were two killed and seven wounded. Twenty-two dead and thirty wounded Boers have already been found on the field. Owing to the rapidity of the British pursuit there were probably many more Boer casual ties. Saturday's operations resulted m General Babington driving the enemy north from Kaffirskrmal. The mounted troops only continued the pursuit,

On Sunday a combined movement on both flanks drove m the Boer rear guard. The convoy was then sighted at Leemwfonteln. The Scots Greys, New Zealanders, and Australian Bash men pushed on, the Greys riding down •11 opposition, and frustrating the enemy'a attempt to take up a position. Shortly afterwards, when the New Z«a landers from the east, and the Bush men from the weal", rode into the ••nvoy ths enemy's retirement became a rout, and tha fleeing Boera were pursued until the pursuers' horses were exhausted.

British and Foreign Bible Society.

The annual meeting of ths Ashbucton branch was held m St, Stephen* schoolroom on Thursday evening, the Rev. R A Wood thorpe, president, m the chair, and the Revs. G B Inglis, Blakiston and Raine occupying Beats on the platform. The attendance was only moderate. The Rev. 6 8 Inglia exhibited copies of the Bible m 23 different languages including the Vulgate a beautiful printed edition, the English Linear parallel showing authorised and revised editions m the same line, New Hebrides Bibles of the various Island*, also Hebrew .German, Spanish, Arabic Hindos titni, together with an old copy translated into Greek, and made to the order of King Ptolemy Philadelphus for his library m Alexandria. A choir under Mr E Oraighead with Misa Fonka at the organ assisted by art orchestra led by Mine Bimmonds rendered suitable music. Mr Blakiston opened with a prayer, Mr Inglis following with a reading of a portion of the 118 th Psalm. The Secretary, the Rev G B Ingltß then read his annual report as follows :— I The British and Foreign Bible Society is the largest society of ltd kind m the world. It started with the idea of providing Welsh Bibles for the people of Wales, but by a happy inspiration of one of its first commit tee men, it took into consideration the daring conception of providing Bibles fur the world. In now circulates the Bcdptures m upwards of 370 languages, and last year, by means of its agencies and colporteurs, it put into circulation upwards of five mi lions of Bibles or portions of the Bible. To understand rightly its method of working we may refer to the work done by the head office m London, and the work done else where throughout the world by its numerous agents and agencies. The work of the head office is to print, the Bible m all the principal languages ot the world, to compare printed proof sheets with the translations into foreign languages sent home by mission aires and scholars from foreign lands, to keep m touch with all the missionary societies m the world, and supply thrm with Bibles m foreign languages as required, to attend to the wants of our soldiers and sailors, and of all ths philanthropic m Great Britain and elsewhere. On looking over the list we find that the society has cooper ated with twenty four different Home Missions m London and the provinces. We find twelve societies mentfoned whose work is exclusively among se&men, fire devoted to the care and rescue of women; five more dealing with convalescent homes for tha eiok, Thirteen educational establishments m Dt Barnard o's Home?, the Police Orphanages, the National Refuges for homeless and destitute children, the House Boy's Brigade, and other well known sad approved charities, obtain books free at far below cost price. Besides grants of books, the Golportsge work of snob, societies as the Mission to Seaman, the British and Foreign Sailor's Society, the Seamen's Christian Friendly Society, and the Thames Church Mission receives money granta; while a large annual subsidy is given to the London Bible scdDomefltio Mission, which employe nearly two hundred Bible women and nurses who carry the scriptures into the poorest courts of London. To encourage all classes to buy copies for themselves, legible and wellbonnd Hew Testaments m English and Welsh are published at a penny'each; m sixteen years over seven million copies|of this penny Testa ment have been issued, at a total loss to the Society of some £25,000 only. An English Bible, m good type and with reference 0, is sold for a shilling; an equally well printed coition, without reference, for sixpence. Out of the Ive million copies, issued by the Society last year, more than a million and a half, or thirty per cent, wete books m English and Welsh, and have been diroulated mainly m the Bitißh Empire.' Nevertheless thiaenor* mous output does not at all keep pace wi h tbe increase of population, and it is estimated that, were the hundred and sixtjfivo millions of [copies issued by tbe Society since its foundation now m existence, they wruld supply only one person In nine of th,e present ; population of the globe. Therefore, great as the work is, it must every year be pushed on to meet the requirements of increasing myriads, hardly conscious though they may be of their spiritual needs. The work at home merges imperceptibly into tha work abroad. For example, free grants of Testa ments, Gospels, and Psalters h»ve been liberally distributed among Briti«h Troops leaving for the seat of war.upwards »l 130,000 copies have been freely distributed. To each of the 1500 members of the Gity Imperial Volunteers was presented a specially bound New Testament, stamped CIV. At Exeter, on the departure of the Devout Volunteer Infantry, the dean and chapter of the Cath edral asked the men to accept copies ofSt John's Gospel, supplied by the Society, aod personally distributed these memorial volume*. From ASde'rshob, Portsmouth', Ply mouth, Co!oheater, Chatham and many other military stations comes the tamo record. t Every man we sent out had a iittia Gospel m the pocket of his tunic' One transport ship had nearly 3000 officers and men on board. The chaplains were Orton Knox- Little, Revß Howard, Webb, Paploe, and Rev W L Bell, Khaki bound New Testa ments and copies of St Luke's Gospel were given away during the voyage. Commander Kobinson wrote to tbe Society from Cape town s—' Sb is guifce mnaikufola wh&fa a Dumber of men were brought to the Lord daring the voyage. We had almost a revival I on board the ship, and were m almost continual engagement with humbled men. I believe you will be interested m this, teeing what an important part scur beautiful gift played m our programme,' For the colonial contingents Boriptureß ware supplied m English for all English speaking men, for ( many of the Canadians m Freuoh $ the native bearers fiom South India received copies m their vemocular ; English and Dutch bibles and testaments were lent by thousands to the hospitals, and hospital ihipi, ap.d distributed on bpfwd the tffnn ports conveying Boer prisoners to St Helens apd elsewhere. In England i*nd Walei »!one there are &,7Qp ftuxilltariei »Qg

branohee, whioh exiat to aid the Sooiety In ' collecting funds, and m circulating the scriptures. And over 2000 similar societies exieh m the various British colonise. The i Society's work increases from > ear bo year. | The expansion of Russia eastwards has 'noreased our emulation m lihab Empire to 570.000 m fifty different languages; the sound alike, bub whose meanings are totally different. When the spelling and grammar have been roughly fixed, the character m which it is fco be printed must be decided upon. Shall it ba Roman (i.e. English) or Arabic, or Russian, or what? Words have do be borrowed freely from various sources ; proper names have to be clothed m the garb of the country, bo that the book may not seem entirely foreign ; and Biblical thought and theology, which have been entwined m the language of the wests for centuries have to find their way with halting steps into the dialects of peoples among whom tike ideas of God, of repentance, ot forgiveness, or of spiritual holiness barely exist. Laab year one hundred and thirty th'ae languages en gaged the attention of the Society, and 13 of these were taken up for the Srsb time. Hundreds of missionaires, scholars, and native assistants all the, world -(r were organised by the Sooiety, and working mainly *b its expense i* unbuilding Bald and making men hear the wonderful words and message of God, Time would not permit of my belling a tenth parb of whau I would like to lay before you. To save time I shall state a few more items of information m short unaonneotedl seitenoes. In Africa the Gospel it available m one hundred and ona different; native languages. Seven hundred and seventy colporteurs or ' Bible Messengers' as the Germans call them are { employed by the Society* They carry packs! of Bibles upon their shoulders and trudge thousands of miles m all partis of the earth selling the Scriptures. Lust year m foreign countries they sold 1,650,000 copies of the Scriptures, Last year five hundred and eighty two native Christian Bible women awakening of China has raised our circulation , last year to the wonderful total of 856,000 copies ; the conquest) of the Philippines has brought) lorna ten millions of peop!e within reaoh of the Gospels, now prepared and published for them by tho Bibla Sooiety m five difsrenb native vernaculars. Every ' where, throughout the world the Society is at work, and translations and revisions are constantly engaging the attention of its agents. Bab try to imagine tho amount of labour involved m the translation of a single book of the Bible into a new langnage of some savage tribe. The sounds have to be captured and reproduced m syllables; the words have to be divided from «ne another ; the accent has to be determined; distinctions have to be established between words, which were at work for the Sooiety, chiefly m India and China. How cm you help the Bibln Hocietj ? 1 You can pray for God's blessing upon its work. • Prayer is a sure means of progress ' 2 You can take the ' Reporter' and the ' Gleanings,' the Society* sj two monthly Magazines, and see what the Sooiety is doing throughout the world 3 You can subscribe to its funds, and be well assured that the Sooiety will spend your money m the wisest and most generous manner m furnishing the world with the richest treasure that God has committed to man The Church of Eagland to her foreign missions uses the holy Scriptures m about 130 languages. The Pre&byterieß Missionary Societies get many of their versions from the National Bible Society of Scotland, and from the American Bible Society, bub they get the Scriptures m fifty languages from the British and Foreign Bible Soofety ; the Wesleyans 49 different languages! The Sooiety paid £28,000 last year for binding the Scriptures and £700 for packing oases. Locally we understood £10 worth of Bibles had been sold daring the year m Ashburton. They bad 15 collectors and 28 copies of the ' Reporter ' were distributed locally every month Mr Uhsa Dixou treasurer, read his annual report, showing with £13 carried forward from last year, a credit balance of £97 ISs sd, aud after remitting £50 to Christchurch their present balance m hand was £19 2s 10d, His ambition was to make the Ash* burton branch even more successful than m the pasti Referring to recent wars, large sums had been collected without difficulty for the purpose of killing as many as possible of our fellowmen, whilst the Bible Society aimed to save them. The Rev R A Woaitkcrpe then addressed the meeting m an earnest and able manner, m the course of whioh he shewed taab our system of Education was the outcome of inspiration by the Bible, and it spoke to all men of all classes; The Drama, Essay, Story, and Philosophy were alt represented la this remarkable book and deepifc) its numerous writers a remarkable unity •I Ideas was shown m its pager; He referred to the fact that) m contrast with B'me other nations, Russia had welcomed the Bib c and there were evidences of an awakening there. Oar best literature was m the Bible, and he advocated strongly a study of it. A collection for the j purposes of the Society was taken up during the evening.

26 Sb Simon sor (Piper) hud 1 MyrtltP SOaeoa {D IVioe) aleo started Bolderwood kept the lead from the start, winning easily, Balmoral II keeping «ecoad place until the last rousd, whan Lin wood passed him, and came m secund, Si Simon last. Myrfcle P retired before completing the first round. Time—4min 18|«o, Divt« denii—£l Is . Dash Bandioa? (saddle), of 26 iow ; «oond horse 3 sots from the stake ; one tnii«. 26 Mr J A Buckland's b g Valor, by VaDcleve, 2*ecß behini cor {mc 2teo penalty) ,„ (Pistrl 1 63 MrW DkiteoV br g Nafferton, 19»oi (R McConaohie) 2 78 Mr J Smith* b g Gambler, 21mm 0 Clifton 9seo (O»is) also started, On the first) round Gambler wu ahead with Naffertots following, and Valor tnKkiag rattling progress, At the entraooe to the straight Gambler broke and Valor took fire* place, winning by ten length*. Tiitte^2min 27|*eoa DiT—£Bl(i The various offioiaia of the Club used thdr best efforts to make a suoaeei of the meeting. In the absence of Afr R Friedlander Mr D McDonnell made an efficient clerk ©I tb« scales, and the starting of Mr R J Henry met with appro?*!. The total Investment* o» the totalisator amounted to £692.

The Federal Elections.

POLLING IN FOUR STATES TODAY'

Waited Press Association—By Bleetrie Telegraph— Copyright , Sydney, March 81. Preparations are oompl.ete for the great vote tomorrow, when the states of New Sooth Wales, Viooria, Tasmania and Weetralia will select there representatives for both the Senate and House of representative m the Federal Parliament, the election is m Queen. Bland and South Australia taking nlase the following day, ®£* ownpaign throughout has bean marked by quiet, steady, earnest work by all patties, and an absence of petty 'bickerings, candidates and voters alike being folly seized with the momentous nation makina israeat stake. Mr GH Reid issued through the Presat l*st word of appeal on behalf of Free Trade. He urges, the electors to rally roand th« standard of liberty. The Freetraders to nignt are holding a demonstration at) the Exhibition Building, and the Protectionists another id Moon Etreet,_otherwise the city is very quiet, acd there is little to indicate to morrow's great event,

The Steamer Federal

HER FATE STILL UNKNOWN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Melbourhk, March 27 The description of the body washed ashore is said to correspond with that of th<j cap tain of the missing steamer Federal: Al though on the list of the crew tnppiied by the shipping office appears several men who had signed off lately, the names of the officers were correct. The names of the crew are not given as H Steel, boatswain; H Goetz, F Gordon, W Harris, E Yarwood, C Frankel, M Mclntyre, F Holland, M Frm, er A Bs; S Harris, chief cook ; F Daniels. cook ;W Smith, messroom steward ;Eckhoff Monagha», 8 McGuire, F Yonng, E Parry, S Belby, F Persleo, F Moran, E Beynolda. i firemen. The fate ot the Federal is still unsolved. Arriving' and departing vessels have b«aa instructed to keep a sharp iookoat. A steamer from Sydney today reports that the ran close into Gabo and saw neither wreckage cor Indications of Burvivore, The latest news from Gabo is that aoma wooden ship's beams came ashore whioh could not possibly have belonged to tha Federal. In some quarters the recovered body la supposed to be that tf Henderson, chief officer of the Federal, m others that of th* captain of the fchooner Hawaiian lilee, which left Melbourne ten days ago, Thia adds to the possibility of the wreck of tha latter to the other uuoprtaiatiea. She lat' ter evidence goes to show that the Louisa Lament was probably cot m the vioinity ot Gabo.

Sporting.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

President—Donald McLean, Esq; Vice- President—James Small, Esq % Stewards —Messrs G Robertson, W Sutherland,' J G'Grady, Thomas Bishop, H Oranfield, Hay Smith, J McOonochie, Daniel McKendry, F McCafferty, J MoCormiok, and James Sutherland; Judge—Mr D McLean ; Starter-Mr E J Henry ; Clerk of Scales—-Mr R Friedlander ; Clerk of Course—Mr James McOormlck; Handi capper—Mr H Brinkman ; Treasarer—Mr W Sutherland ; Timekeepers — Messrs J V de Beer, J Lewis, and F B Robilliard

The following completes our report of yesterday's meeting ;— Laomhor Handicap (harness) of 50 eovs; second horse 7 nova from the stake; for horses that) can trot 5.30 or under, Two miles 162 Mr R McKeuzie's eh m Jiene, syrs, by Bothohild, 19secB ... (McMillan) I 56 Mr J A. Buokiand'e br g Sb Simon, 3yrß, Jeos .. .. (0 Piper) 2 72 Mr H Broomfield's tag Llnwoad, ' aged, ISseos ... (B Edwards) 3 27 Traoey Belle Saeoa (M Edward*) and 28 Royaiwood 13seos ,(D Prise) also started* This proved a very good race, Sb Simon made a bad star*-, and the order for the first round was Irene, Linwoodj Royalwood ;" St Simon shortly after taking third place, and tbe third tima palling the staad Sb Simon followed next after Irene, who kept the tad strongly, and despite strong efforts on the part of Piper Irene came m a winner. Time—smin 23aeos Dividend—l9i A protest was lodged by the driver of Sb Simon against the inconsistent running of Irene, and the Stewards met to consider the proteßti, which was dismissed WINOHMOBB HANBIOA? {saddle), of 25 boys ; one mile 51 Mr J A Buokland's b g Talor, by Vaaoleve, 4yre» sor , (PiperJ 1 47 Mr J Smith's r m Fannywood, aged, 27aeos „ .„  (Owner) 2 8 Katipo 215e03 (W Begg) »lio started Katipo refused io go further than a short <Uaunce, lejl?lng t||S raoe toFatsaywood jund Taior. Thetormei' kept) the lead till within a short disbance of the winning post, when Valor, by a prodigoua rush, oame m a popular winner by a couple of lengths, Time—2min 25secs, Dividend—lßs Ashbubton Hanbioap (astddls), of 50 boys > Becond horse 7 soys from the stake i for horaea that can trot 5 30 or unders Two miles 100 Mr M Edwards' b m Modesty, by " Speoifioation, 4yre, 17aeoa (Owner) 1 If Mr J G JVfgOonachiefc eh g Sydney, llseos  , r . (R MoOon»chie) 2 If Mrs Say 6mfth;s br m Miss Wilkin, 20seos .. ... (0 Harold) 3 There was no excitement whatever m this raoe. Modesty, quickly passing Miss Wilkin and getting about three chains ahead, walked m easily, followed by Sydney a good distance off Time—Sinia 23ieo. Dividend—lls Faibheld Handisap (harness), ot 30 soya ; second horse 4 sovt from the stake; one mile and a half 115 Mr W Potter's bo Bolderwood, by General Tracey, 3yre, 52ieot {0 Harold) 1 8 Mr H Broomfield s |j g Liuwood, 12aec r' (BBdwkrii) 2 12S Mr X H Srri!'.af»b g Balmoral Hi, SOieoa «# •« M £Jdw»rde) |

THE LATEST SOUTH AFBIOA

AnTITITY OF BOER LEADERS United Press Association—By Eleettlo Telegraph—Copyright Received Wakapuaka March 29, 9.14 a«. This Office 9 35 am London, March 28 Kruiissinger's Soheepers and Tan Reenan'i | oommaodos have junctioned, and are pro seeding a thousand strong to the Orasgt River Colony -»ia Vinterstad. De Wet with four hundred followers is reported to hftve crossed the Vaal a« Villieredorp. Brltzer'e commando from Blaauwkop, is , starting to punish the Sweais for killing Bocrt wh» wera escaping from French.

Weuinoton, March 29. The Premier is advised that the offiaen of the Fourth Contingent who have volunteered to serve with the Seventh Contingent an Captain Bauehope, Lieutenants leddoD, Elder, Tuban, and Jiokeli,

Federal Politics

United Preet Asßooiatioe-rßy Electron Telegraph—Cop .'right Received Wakapuaka March 29, 10 2 ant. This Office 10 SO a m Sydnrv, March St The morning papers make & strong appeal to the electors m favour of free trade and express a hope that the policy will b* successful co far aa New South W*!ei is concerned. Mr Reid at last) night's demon* at ration conGrteutly predicted success, ftt the lame time the Bartoniaos ezpreu almost equal confidence. The forecast from Perth point) to a majority for free tr»de< In both houses a Protectionist) majority is assured la Victoria, though the free traders expect to win at least three seats m the hoqpe and a couple m the Senate. Its the ether Itates the issue ia less clearly out, and it' is hard to forecast

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

Received Wakap-aaka Maroh ?.S, 9 14 ft m . Thia offine 9 35a m hi ndon, March 2t The Standard's Berlin correspondent tajt that Waldersee's action ie connection with ths disputed railway siding at Tientsin will be limited to the prevention of a military conliet by diplomacy. Britain and Ru»ua will have to settle ihc ownerahip of ,t»« land.

The Plague.

United Press Association—by Electric Telegraph—-Oopyrigb t Received Wakapuaka M»rch 29, 914 am, Thia office 9 35 a m London, Maroh 28 Eight thousand deaths from plague fa India were reported last week m the pro' vißce of Bengal, incladiag the city of Calouttas ' 1

The Philippines

CAPTURE OFAQUINALDO United Frees Aseocintion—B; EJeotrio Telpgraph—OopyrfaAt (Received March 29, il.2t.»vt) London, M*rch 29 . A oafato teat tved from Hear York ■tetoit ■ that. MftOcabeb«a ia pr«tendiag:to betnjrttt AmerjwnUolcuetio the Filipi»o». Aijufn aldu and hu eniiie stafi were captured' Bear Bait i, ou the Island of Luzon

THE iSBBUBIOft &DAEDIAN ; FEIPAY, MAKOH 29, 1901



'nil raoon ( as»t quarter kpogee Jew moon 'ir»t quarter 'erigee

4 1Z 9 19 26 21

3 0 am 5 42 am 7 Opm 2 15 p m 6 Bpm 2 0 pm



)ate arch J! II

28 29 30 31

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Ri«eß 6 15 6 16 6 17 6 18

6 57 5 55 5 53 5 51



1 stocks here, and the demand Is weak. Oats—Are only m moderate reqnaatt New Zeftl&nds move slowly ak 2Si and 26a for ordinary Bluff, 2?s and 18s 6d for Canadians per 354 lba ex «tor«, Duna ate worth I 8« &d and 19a per 336 lba ex itnre< Froaen Meat—Towarde 6he end of the firaft week m the present month trade ab Bmith fleld was decidedly more active, and a larger amount) of meat weni) into conaumption, bnfc sinewi "that time baeineta has been more restricted, and values all round for mutton are somewhat easier. Canterbury carcase? have been negleoted by the majority of the retail butchers owing to the high price, consequently 7h&ldera have been more inclined to meet the market, and values ate Id to 2d per stone easier, prime Carcases being now worth 2s lid and 3s Id up to 3s 21 for anything choice. Second class New Zsalaad sheep have been less easy to move and must be written 2i to 3d per •tone lower, the preaept, Value being 2s 9d and 2b lOd per stone m market Lamb is atIII m fair request) and price* keep firm. Australian carouses msko 3a and 3i sd, and New Zaaland 3s Sd per •tone, Frozen beof has been m slightly better demand, owing to the colder weather, bun iate values have been scarcely maintained. Fores are q toted at 2s 3d, and hinds 2% 5d and 28 7d per stone«



SPOET. SPOET. SPORT. GUNS. GUNS GUNS. HARDLFy BROS EAST STREET, HAVE TO HAND, diracsb from the Manufacturers, a large Gomigntnent) of the Famous NEW RITAL CARTRIDGES. Large mpplies also arriving of Eley's Amberite, Blue Shutaa, Kyncck'a Nobels, etc. Spceia! clearance of Wire Cartridges, owing to being overstocked. GUNP, GUNS. For Flrat-olasß Gana, aba low price, give m a trial ; our prices defy competition. UUNS of all makes BBPAIRED and pat ia firat-elafls order by a Practical Gunsmith. Address— HABDLEY BBOS NATIONAL MORTGAGE ft AGENCY CO. OF N.Z, LTD, TSMARO, IMPROVED FARMS FOR SALE. 530 acres Rangitaba, 250 acres Ciaremonb 250 acres WaitotiSj 200 acres Waihao, 250 aoree Kiugsdown, 1000 aoret Ota'o, 500 acres Totara, And others of various eltset m So* fch Oanter bury Improved Farms for lease, with right o purchase 1170 acres Fairlie, 605 acres Tofcara, and 265 aos'S* Totara Alao unimproved agricultural and grarlng Trms of varioaa sizea on the Baincliffe and Levels Estates, and two well improve bt&tion properties «f 7000 acres each. FUR SALE. /~*i 000 Building Site, Cox Street East, \JT be'ng Town Section Ne 823 ooatain ing | Acre. High and dry, good Land. 1 Small oaßh deposit, balance by iastal' meats T BULLOCK



MBTHVBN STOCK >' ALB. « , There was a good attendance at the Meth* yen Bale yesterday and a big entry of sheep. Business on the whole wag dull as the prices |f ereddid not ome up to owners'expeo'ttfoQ* a good msny sales were however effected privately. The following are the psioea:— half bred ewes, 8s Sd to 12s 8d; cross bred owerf and wstberp, (forward) 19?; full mouthed ewes, 12a lid; Merino ewaa 5a 9d to 13s 83 hall bred ewes I4s 6dtol§a]d| oross bred eweß 14?; Lambs (forward) I3a 2d to 14s; store lambs 11s 6d.



LOASBY'B Stands unrivalled for Indiges WABOO tion anri u\\et Complaints It is purely herbal, and cannot injure the most) delicate constitution. Its effect is almost iostantaneoiiß ; f single dose usually relieves, whilst one bottle Is gener ally enough to cure. LOASBY'S WAHOO does nob require a dozen boitles to be taken before you can judge its value. No other Medicine adver ttaed asks you, as we do, to buy only one bottle; take it regularly according to directions, and then give the verdict. Hundreds of testimonials m our possession prove that many confirmed dyspeptics, after every known remedy bad failed, have been completely cured by the aid of only one bottle of Lnaaby's Wahoo. Loasby's Wahoo—Price 2% 6d, everywhere Sole mmafactorers and proprietors—' I LOASBY'S WAHOO MaISUFACTUR ING CO., Ltd, Dunedin- Wholesale Agents— Kempthorne, Prosser & Co, NZ Drug Co Ltd



N.Z- CLC/fHING FACTORY. NEW GOODS. GOODS. 25 DOZEN HARD ASE SOFT FELT HATS. AH the Newest Bbapes from Ss. GOOD VALUE FOE THE MONEY; N. 2, CLOTHING FACTORY. U WANT A GOOD CYCLE LAMP- Hew will a,' DUPLEX' suit you/ I i-'OOL—lbis explains it all. Tbe Doplex m ooo'J. A 000 l lamp means cool gas, which ta easily oontrolled and makes an automatia Lamp possible. Cool gas means a white light, no excess pressorp, and longer horning capacity. 000 l gas prevents the barner and valves from choking, rbS does away wifcb the danger of expansion and explosion. CLEAN.—& oleaa lamp always works the beet. fThe Duplex ts always elaan. The tops are always bright. Removing she bottom caps yon remove all dlrfc and ssdimeiab, and the lamp can be filled md charged m one quarter the time usually required with other lamps. JOHN ORR & CO., A S H^B ÜBT O,N, sol;® importek's. AHEAD OF THEM ALL. ALL FBACriGAL AND EXPEEIENCEB BIDEKS SAY | ABE THEIR FAVOBITES. They are the beat that money oae bay They are the cheapest m lh« long run They are thorooghly up to date Thfy are good, liooeHt machines PRICE—£2I. Call and inspect for yourself. We will guarantee to pieu&e %nd euib you. OATES, LOWRY AND CO., Zsalandia Cycle Works, BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTOH. WALL P^ A PER S. WE HAVE TO HAHD per the last Home boat—29 Bales of the very atest ARTISTIC FAPERHANGINGS, the Colotsriags and Designs o which are decided' works of art Included m the shipment are Beantifo FrieueVand Borders to match the Papers. I hold the largest stock of WALL PAPERS m South Oaaterbnrj Clients can therefore rely upon having a large variety of each respeotive sort to choose from. J HOUSE DECORATOR AND SIGN \\l I I VI I M WRITER. l/V I I i\\\ I \ Opposlre Mail e«oe, i If JLJLJKJV/-L1 * Barnett Street. P O Box 16. Telephone FOR TOURING AND ORDINARY EVERY DAY RIDING MASSEY-HARRIS BICYCLES ARE ESSENTIAL. rH3 Tubino , Sprockets, etc, m a MASSEY abb of swob HiaH oeabb MA.TBBIA& and the work put Into its manufaotore bo OKr«full| r carried oab, thic thj M ASSET HARRIS bicycle will withstakd me severest Coukirt kibkjri who trade wish the MASSEY HARRIS COMPANY CAK KELT UPON ABSOLUTE SATISFAOTIOH BBINO OIVEf. Our Guabamek la a libbrai. ohk »nd the tessms uaby. t bconb hakd Macbihks are taken.in faiit paymbkt. Canada Cycle & Motor Go t$ Limited. (MABSBY-HARRI3 BRANOH) DUNFDIN DEPOT-12Ja GEORGE STREET. Branches and Agenctse everywhere thromghoat Wew Zealand. MR F. N. WHITCOMBE, SURGEON DENTIST, SAUNDES8 1 BUILDINGSj (Opposit® Railway Station, Aehburton} BEOS to latimste 'ohab he haa commenced practice at the above addreat. Having imported the latest appliances direct from JLojsdoa and Now Yoirk ( be ie preptired to do itit olui work ab moderate fees, All work dose with care acd despatch, and orly the best materials tsasd. j StopplDgß »ad care of Ohildron' >8 Teeth a epeoi»lty MR WHITOOMBE will Visit as follows :— BAKAIA—First m& Ihird THURSDAYS of every month ab the Railway Hotel, MBTHVEN— tut THURSDAY of every moufeh ab the Canterbury H©te!. H©URS—9 til! 1, and 2 till 5.



Boot Btore it the leadi^ Bfofc3hop ; Wonderfu value at Mfition j