THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains cave Ashburton daily for— OHRIBTOHUROH—at 7.20 am, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 6 p m (express) TTMARU—at 10.55 am,350 pm DUNEDIN—at 1264pm (express) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 p m Trains arrive daily at Ashburton from— OHKISTOHUROH—ab 10.45 am, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,255 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 pm (express) SPRINGBURN-afc 9 45 a m

EPHEMERIS

Phases of Moon lot February

SUN.

Mail Notices

Maila close for the following plaoee as under, subject to the necessary alterations; THURSDAY MARCH 28. / For Northern Ports and Westporfc, per Rotomahana, »t 6. 30 p m FRIDAY, March 29 For Northern Por'a and Westport, also Australian Colonies (due Sydney April 4th), Sonth Africa, eto, per Westr&lia, at 630 pai

Commercial.

Sydnky, March 27 Wheat), chick, 2s to 2s 2d ; milling, 2s 6d to 2a 7sd; flour £5 15b to £6 10*, Manitoba £10 10s to £10 15s. Oats, N Z feeding, la 7d to 2i ; looal, la 9d to Is lid ; mlHing, 2s Id. Barley, N Z prime, 2a 4d ; mafze, prime new, 2a 6d. Peas, 3s 3d to 3s 6d. Bran, B§<l ; pollard, B|d to B|d. Potatoes, Circular Heads £2 10s to £3 ss; onions, Victorians £6 10a; N Z inferior, £5. Butter—dairy 8d to 9d, creamery lid j cheese, NZ, to 6d ; bacon, N Z flitohcß, s£d to 6sd ; name, B£d • (The above quotations ore those ruling between merchant and retailer, and do not represent) the slightly lower values obtained by a recognised broker.) Melbourne, March 27 Wheat, quiet-, 2a 7d to 2b 7fi ; oats, feeding, Is 3§d to 1« 7<i ; seeding, to la 9d. M*'ze, 29 9d ; bran, 9|d to lOd j pollard, 10<i; potatoes, £3 to £3 10a ; onions, £5 101 to £6 Adelaide, March 27 Wheat, 2s 7£d to 2a 8d ; lour, £6 6s to £6 7s 6d; oats, Algerian, Is 8d to Is 105; stout, 2s 2d to 2a 3d; br\n, lOd; pollard. 10|d.

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET

Cheisxohueoh, March 27 At the Addington market today the entry of fat oattte was 172, a fair proportion of which were good eleers, and there was a sMght'y improved market. Beat steers £8 10a to £10, others £5 17s 6d to £7 10s, heifers £5 5b to £8 s', cows £4 10s to £5. BHBEP— 3000 fafc sheep were yarded, including some good wethers The fre z'ng buyers holding off, the bulk fell to the butchers. The market for good f west opened well, bat after the locU wants were supplied the bottom fell out of the tmrket, and many good lots were passed, while inferior ■were almost unaaleabV, Exrra prime wethers 20a to 21a. hezw 17a to 19s, lighter sorts down to 16s, beat ewes 15 to 18*, secondary 12a to 14s, inferior down to Qs ; merino a'ethera 11°. to 12s 10ii, and ewes 8j 6<l to lls 10J. K*t lambs—Ab at 3000 were entered, mostly of medium quality. Although there were only two export buyers operating, there was a very br fk pale, more than upholding Sate rates, fretz^rs selling afc 14s 6>i to 16*, lighter down to 13s. Store sheep—-Over 12,000 were yarded, mostly breeding ewes and latnbe. A few local wethers boH at 14s lOd to 15» Bd, Chatham lelandera <3s to 14s lid j good young ewes were in demand at 14s to 17a 91 nod up to 21b for extr i, older sorts 8a 3 1 to 10s 10il ; forward lambs sold well at 12« Id to 13i 2d, others 8< Id to 10 61. Pigs—4so were penned, including nome choice lines of baconera, which with good sorts met on improved demand. Baconers 35s to 45< *nrl up to 53h for extra primp, equal io3f I to 4d ; porkra 22^ to 34s 6d ; stores lla to 22 ; euckera and weaners 4a 63 to lC».6d.

GERALDINE STOCK SALE

The fortnightly live stock Bale nt the Geraldina Farmer'e yard's yestorfi.i, ■• a ■ one of the boat Binoe the yards opened. There was » large attcodanoe of buyorp, and an entry of cheep up to b little oror 14,000. Ewes, old, sold at Qs 3d, 9s lid, 10s 3d. 10a 4(1, lls and 12s ; ewes, sound mouth, 13s 6d, 14s sd, 15b 3d, 15s 9d ; two tootha 17s 6d ; fat wethers 17s ; lambs, iimali, 10a 4d nod 13s 6d. There was &n entry of 100 rams— English Leiceaters brought 3 guineas, aged threequartera of a guinea, one guinea, If guinea, 1| guinea; Romnoy, I gninea; half bred rums 1 guinea; Borne aged English Leicester ram» also bn nghb half a guinea. There was a good entry of cattle—dry cows fetched £3 16a to £4 12i 6d ; fat cowa £6 to £6 10s; yearlings 28s ; two year old steers £3 to £4 2s 6d c three year old steers £510s to £5 15s i heifers £3 2» j springers £&i

TEMUKA STOCK SALE

The usual fortnightly stock sale was held In the Tsmuka yards on Tuesday, when there was a very large entry of Blimp, about 8000 being penned. A great i.umber of the yarding comprised old ewes, which met a somewhat- dragging sa'e, I ood young cheep maintained their jrsltioa. The fol lowing are the quotations for sheep s— Fat batchers' ewes, 12a 6d, 13s, 13s 6d, to 13s 9d 5 two tooth threequartetbred ewe«, l?i 6d ; pound mouth half and threeqaarterbred ewea, las, £5s &d, 15s 8d to 16s ; full mouth thrsequarterbr6d ewes ? o*, 9a 6d, 10s 3d, lla to 12s 6d (the latter prices fol* l^rge framed good oonditloned ewes); store threefia»!r£err bred wethers. 15a, 15b 3d, 15s 6d, los f d to 1519 i ; f»t and forward lambs, 13s 3d, 13s 4d to 13a 6d ; good store lambs 12n to 12s 6d, There was also a largo entry of rams, bub a great many were aged and infariofr, and these met with very poor competition Qrood young English Leieaabers and Border Leifleß fcara sold readily afc from Qgm to sgne; English Leicester rams, 2gne 5 while for aged rams J?n to |i?n were about top prioes. In j plgß, from 180 to 200 were penned, aud they met very good competition, nearly every line 1 seltincr. Prices were—-Weanerfi, 5s to ?a j slips, 9a to. 12s ; good Btores, 1?3 to 83s 6d. Owing to the large yarding of sheep and pigs, the cattle Sale did not start; till late in the afternoon. Late prioe« were well main tained.

BURNSIDE MARKET.

Dunejmn, March 27. A.t the Burnside market 222 head of fad cattle were yaidcd, and good besf of anita'le weight for freezing waa well competed for, and brought fplly last '- week's rates. Half^fat scfcers, helfti' and cow beef was In poor demand, and sold at a reduction from 10s to 15s per head. Best) bollocks made £7 17s 6d to £9 10, a couple of pens extra £10 to £11 53, other bullocks £5 6s to £7 7s 6d. best cows at-d heifers £5 15s to £7 W, others £3 10 to £5 10a.

Ashburton Guardian Manga est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY MARCH 28, 1901.

We have so long been hoping in vain j for the capture of De Wet, and the practical ending of the Boer war in consequence, that we had ceased to re gard Louis Botha as a factor of any importance in Transvaal affairs. It would Bfetn, however, from recent events in South Africa that Lord Kit chener considers Botha the proper representative of the Boers to treat with. The negotiations that were going on for a week or two were re garded throughout the Empire with much interest and expectation, bat, as it now turns out qnite needlessly. We learn that Both* had no serious intention of accepting anything like the conditions imposed by Lord Kit chener, and he must have laughed in hia sleeve at the excitement caused by the bare mention of the possibility of his doing so. One report was that he merely entered upon the negotiations in order to gain time to recruit. Another statement, which is probably correct, was to the elect that Botha be lieved the extremely favourable terms offered by the British were prompted by an anxiety to bring the war to a speedy close. The wily Boer hat of course learned all about tbe difficulty in Ohina between Russia and England, and no doubt connects that with the remarkably lenient terms proposed. No one who has watched the course of events in South Africa (or years past could have expected anything else, and i we cannot help thinking that it was a mistaken policy to abate the original terms in the smallest degree, We feel quite sure that the loyal colonists of fc*outh Africa will regard the leniency intended to be shown to those who have brought so much loea and suffering upon them, and upon the whole country, with the greatest dis satisfaction—not to say indignation. The Boers have carried on the war like savages. They have robbed, beaten and murdered hundreds of un~ cflending men, women and children, and they have continued their sense less and cruel outrages long after all hope of obtaining their ob jects bj force of arms had passed away. The only ohpet the leaders now in the field can pos sibly have, is to inflict; aa much damage as they can upon every part of the country, and upon every person not actually in the ranks of their followers; We shall await the South African newspapers with conaiderabie curiosity, for if we are not much mistaken the feeling in Oape Colony, Natal and even the Orange Colony, will be expressed in no uncertain terms. All we hope is that now that the remarkable con ditions offered to Botha have been scornfully rejected, the Boers will not have another opportunity of accepting them If the peace of South Africa is to be secured there must be no more sentimental nonsense in dealing with the misguided people now keeping up this fooliah and hopeless struggle. It should be made quite impossible for them ever again to act as they did in 1881, and as they are acting now. Ifc is somewhat consoling that recent news from tbe seat of war point to the utter collapse of De Wet's plans, and the systematic driving of isolated comman dos out of the two annexed Statas Considering that tho Boers have little chance of obtaining recruits or sap plies the continual captures of men and material by the British can only have one result, The end cannot now be far off.

Local and General.

Loyal Chinese—At the Wellington fruit; nruket yesterday morning a salesman asked the Chioete dealers to subscribe ta the Queen's Stalpe Fund. There wag an immediate response, the amount given totalling £23 Bet Caution to Dairymbn—A large number of application!) for registration of dairies under the new Act h»ve been received by the Agricultural Department], It ie intended to institute proceedings against all dairymen who continue operations on unregistered premises after the end of tha present month Eastek Holiday Railway Abranok ments— To overtake the expected heivy passenger traffic on the railways during the Eaater holidays, the department will from the 3rd to the I7th of April put: extra trains oq the Dunedic-Chrletohnrob section. Special night trains are also arranged for on April Gbb, AH IjTjS'ANT ACCIDENTALLY POISONED — An inqutfib was held yesterday, at Timaru, on an infant named Eobinson. The evidence showed that the nurse gtve the wrong medicine in error, named belladonna liniment. The chid <iiod in an hour and a half after being given the done. Three i bottles of medicine worn on the nhelf, and i tba nurse mistook the liniment bottle for the rvsedlcine sent by the doctor. A verdict of accidental doath was returned. Obituary—AnoM yeeSde^:. of "^Takanui, Mr W G-lep, who has been ill lor sonigi time, passed away lasb evening at the Ash barton Hospital Mr Giles arrived jjln this Colony twe ty years ago, and after a brief eojonrn at Prebbleton came to this district and settled $t Wakanul where he lived nntii hia last iHness. Mr Gilea I leaves a family of ten, two of whom »'c married also two brothers'! Stephen and Edward and one sister Mrs Tarbotton of Kaling. The funeral takes place on Saturday at) 1 p ra, TffIMDKA BiCYOLi itAOES-^The Temuka Bicycle Qink evidently intend to make their annual meeting on Easter Monday a pronounced sncaesM, that la, if the prepara tions of a comprehensive programme which gives almost every grade of cyclifct a chance of competing in likely to secure support, as ib should. This year the events will be contested on an asphalted track* Competi" torß have already expressed their approval of the formation of this traok, that is while it was in its embryo stage of clay, and any objection hitherto raised has only had reference to the surface. The track as now completed is considered to be an admirable «ne, and we ara informed by our loc*l representative that entries are coming in very freely, and that the meeting ia likeiy to be § very interesting onei The! La?e U& GjtoRGE Hart.—Borne of out oldest resident? prill remember Mr George Hart, who formerly represented them in Parliament ■>» member for Coleridge, apd concerning whom Mr E 6 Wright made the following happy remark when they both contested the seat for Coleridge. Mr Wright said —" Mr Hart ha had known for a long time | he had a great respect for him, and daring his career as a representative he had beard nothing to hie tljisparagemenb, which was almost more than he was Justified in hoping for in hia own oase,''' a remark that Be fleeted credit on both parties. It Is seldom that candidates for Parliamentary honors now a d»ys are found referring to one another in similar terms. By tha way, an eioelloDb enlarged photo of Mr Hard is on view in tha wiudpw of Mr John Wilson, who has framed ib tax Mi? Reginald Hart. Mr George Hart came to we colony with his brether, the Hon R Harb, in 184S, iieyea years before the find torn ship arrived.

Weather Rejfoet,—Captain Edwin fore caats :—Moderate south to east and north esst windi gk« fell slowly. Indications of frost tonight. Allsnton School—Meim Porter, Pm« ton and Hewaon were the Committee appointed to obtain signatures to the petition to the Education Board, asking that the status of the school be raised to that of a main school. Personal—Mr H H&rdley is again con fined to the house, and hss been very unfortunate in not making a complete recovery as the result of his recent severe operation. —Mr Alfred Hftrri«on i« still in ft critical state of health. Bobough Council—The meeting of the Borough Council oaiied for la*t evening to pass the burgets roll wan adjourned until Monday ever ing next, when the ordinary meeting taken place. Coming Waks—M de Blowltz the famous correspondent of the limes in Paris, has been looking into the future and prophecies great international complications ending in wars. An article from hia pea will be found on our fourth page. A. A. 0. & A. Club—Two Australian cham pions are expeoted to compete at the Club's ! sports to be held on Easter Monday; and | the running events should create great interest contested by each competitors as Simpson, Cardale and others, Biblb Societt Meeting—At the meeting of the British and Foreign Bib!« Society this evening, in St Stephen's schoolroom, the Rev G B Ihglis will show a camber of Bibles in various language? and editions. We are requested to state that the choir will be provided with hymn books. A Dangerous Pbaotioh—The dangerous habit of boys clirnbiop over the tailboard of moving drays nearly resulted in a serious accident this morning. Two young boys on their way to school attempted to mount behind one of the contractors drays working at the East Belt and one of them got his foot j&mbed between the moving wheel and the body of the dray. Fortunately the driver heard his screams and promptly stopped the horse, and although the youth was at first convinced hiis leg was broken, a short rest proved that no further damage than a severe bruising had resulted. The Royal Honours,—There is «ome mystery (aays the Hot Lakes Cktonide) in connection with the three days' visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to Kotorua, which is favourably explained by the whisper among the Naive chiefs that, on the occasion of the visit, oerUin honours are to be conferred on members of tho Ministry and others who have assisted in any way in sending the New Zealand Iroops to South Africa. All these honours are to be conferred during the visit to Rotorna, and it is hinted that the Hon. J. Carroll will be one of the recipients. If this is the ease, it is to be hoped that others will not be overlooked, as j i> was from the Arawa chiefs that the first offer of ! roops was made immediately after tbe Jameson raid, when it was probable there would be trouble over the Emperor of Germany's telegram. Tbe reply from Lord Onfllow on that occasion eulogised the loyalty of the Araw&a, and thanked them for their offer of service, bub regretted that for politi cal reasons that offer could nob be accepted. The Cost op Honoues—lfc seems that the Commander in Chief will have to pay, in one way and another, something like £650 for the honour of being an earl. The greater parb of this, of coarse, will be the cost of the coronet, bat; tho charge la swelled by fees of all sorts which many people will i;hii)k ought to be abolished. Bismarck was once made furious by a charge of this k*nd. 'J he Spanish Govern menfc offered to invest the Chancellor with the Order vf the Golden Fleece, and the Princn promised to accept the honour if the Government would send the Order and its insignia to him, instead of expect* fn» him to go to Spain to receive It. The request was complied with, and a few weeks after the arrival of the O. der and its Irs gnia i\z Fried) ichsruhe there came ■* bill for eight thoa»aod francs. Bismarck aent for the Spanish Ambassador. "If I had known the cost," he said angrily, " I should not have nccep'ed the honour. In any case, I won't pay It." Spain had to get" along somehow without; its eight thousand francs for Bismark never gave way. — " St James' Gazette." Fanobr & Sons' Eucalypti Extract— Under the distinguished patronage of His Majesty the KiDg of Italy, awarded Diploma at the International Exhibition, Amsterdam, Acknowledged by Medipai Clinics and Uni versities all over the globe. That tbr c*ude, resinous oile, which are now foisted upon ', the public nndpr the name of Euoalyp. Extracts, may nob be mistaken for Sander & Sons' Pure Volatile Eucalypti Extract we state :—lfc is proved by tests aiade by the Medical Clinics of the Universities at Bonn and Griefswstld (Prussia), that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed o acids, resinous and other substances adherent to primary distillation, will develop the curative properties possessed by the plant To avoid the appalling oorsequences result ing from the application of substitutes, etc., in croup, bronohitis, diphtheria,dysentery, internal inflammation, etc., insist fn getting Sander and Sons' Pure VotATiNB Euoa wvtx Extract, and be safe.

LOSS OF AN AUSTRALIAN STEAMER FEARED

A LIST OF THE FEDERAL'S GREW. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Sydney, March 27. The following is the latest available list of the crew of the steamer Federal, which it is feared has foundered in a storm on the voyage from Port ITenabla to Albany with a cargo of coal :-— J Coall, captain; A Henderson, chief officer ; P Reader, second officer ; third officer (not given) j John Hill, chief ehgineer : B Spence, second eDgioeer j W Napier, third engineer ; John Dole, fourth engineer j E Orawley, donkeymain , A Goat?, B Borroughs, 0 Taukre, I? Mansell, J Hockett, Henry Wright. A.B.'a; D N Ickhoff, W Monuighao, H McGuire, John Young, 0 Parry, G Bibby, firemen; W Me Fadden, Wright, Daniel O'Neill, W Wood 1, J Ooffey, coal trimmers; H Harris, chief steward £ H E RobinsoD, mess room steward ; E J Strathern, chief cook. There may be other members of the crew who wer« shipped at intermediate ports,.

THE OWNERS HOPEFUL

Mi&BOUBNB, March 27 The owners of the Federal to-day are more hopeful she may have weathered the storm. Mr McEachern said that in any case he was firmly convinced she had not foundered. If lost, his opinion was that either she had struck land, and went down or collided with another vessel, Mr McEachern thinks that the discovery of the varniehed portion of the fcaffrail suggests the theory that the Federal collided with another vessel, and finding the gale so furious he thinks the captain may have attempted to ran to a harbor of refuge, and in the fog lost bis course, Mr McKachern would not he surprised to find the steamer ashore somewhere along the coast. Sydney, March 27 d|,j!teara«r which has arrived from Newcastle^ reports that on Sunday night she saw a fire on the beach at Kam Head, sorrn thirty miJes south of Gabo. It is suggested that if tfe Federal was wrecked the crew, or somo of the crew, got ashore there, There are, however, some fishing stations £a ; Ifce yfcmitv,

THE CONWAY CASE.

United Preen Association— By Electric I (Telegraph—Copyright J

The Verdict.

Smith Committed for Trial. (Received Wakanuakn March 27, 9 1 p m This Office 1011 p'm) Sydney, March 27. At the Con way inquest, the Government Analysb recalled stated that sulphate of strychnine was soluble in witer to the extent of two per cent. A fatal dose could be dissolved in a desert spoonful of alcoholic liquor. A deadly dose of alkaloid strychnine conld be dissolved by an unskilled person in a half pint of alcoholic liquor and by a ekllled person in less. Mr Brooks, chemist, recalled, said he had erroneously confused snlphate and alkaloid. It was the latter he supplied to Smith. Edith Huddlesfrone, of Blenheim, who occupied the cabin with Smith in the Talune, said ehe frequently took stout. Sometimes Smith paid and sometimes ehe did not. The stout was usually brought by the stewardess with the cork drawn. She had some on the day Oonway died, and at Mrs Smith's suggestion she did not take ifc wich lunch but afterwards. She was taken ill that evening between eight and ten, and had a peculiar twitching in the lower jaw which gradually became stiff. She felb very dazed and ill, and after a while her knees and back went stiff. Some day previous to Conway'a death, while the stewardess was in the cabin. Smith mentioned having had a dog poisoned with white powder given her by a chemist, iihe asked was strychnine a white powder, and witness replied that ehe thought arsenic was white. Smith told her that she had gone to Jook for Mrs Brown who was supposed to be in the steerage, but could not find her, and had given the stout and fruit which she had taken with her for Mrs Brown to Conway. On the evening the latter died Wltnens went on the deck with Smith, and shortly after eight o'clock Smith went to the steerage and returned after some time. That was the evening she was taken ill lhe case is closed. The Cozoner summed up lengthily. He said the evidence displayed a certain element of suspicion aginsn Mra Smith. He drew the jury's attention to conversa* tlons which she had with various person?. She had made admission of giving the plums and biscuits to the deceased, and also given him what she had taken presumably for Mra Brown, who was supposed to be a fore cabin passenger. The jury must bear in mind a crime of this kind was nob eommftted without a motive. Some evidence was given from which the jury might conclude that the motive was evidently the monetary relations existing between Mrs Smith or her husband, or both, with the deceased. He commented on the ease with which poisons could be obtained' from some pharmacists The lady in this case apparently had no difficulty in getting strychnine. The jury, after 25 minutes deliberation, returned a verdict that Conway died from strychnine, administered by Jane Smith.—She was committed for trial at the crlm'nal sessions, which open on April let.

SOUTH AFRICA

Uniteo Preee Association—Ry Elcctrlo Tfllppraph—Copyright Koers ('aught in Wire Entangle ments, No Intention of He-opening Nego tiations with llotlia. Not Proposed to Confiscate ifc?r Property. Burning of a Boer fleeting Place. Activity in the Eastern Transvaal. Boerjg Flee into Swaziland. mpensation for Expelled Germans, (Received March 27, 9.20 pm) London, March 26 At Vlakfontein, Major Olark, com manding the Victorian Bushmen, had his horse shot under him During their recent attack on Lichtenburg, 70 Boers were caught in the wire entanglements, and most of them were shot. Oolonel Henniker'e column had a | running fight with Commandant Latter and five hundred men on Saturday. In the House of Commons, th« Bight Hon J. Chamberlain stated that the Governments had no intention of reopening negotiations with Louis Botha. Mr Chamberlain refused at present to produce the report of the Commission on the desirability of settling Reser vists and others on land in South Africa; He declared that it was not intended to appropriate or confiscate Boer property. A patrol of Johannesburg Mounted Police burned Boschkop Hotel, in the West Band. The place was a regular depot for the Boers. Two of the police were killed while expelling the Boers. When General French pressed the retreating Boers in the Eastern Trans vaal, fifteen entered Swaziland. The Swazis resented the invasion, and killed seven Boers. Thereat fled and surrendered to the British. Great Britain has agreed to com pensate the German subjects expel'ed from the Transvaal, the maximum amount of compensation to be .£3s{). The recipients are chiefly officials of the Netherlands Kailway Company,

Kruitzinger Closely Pressed.

j Received Wakapuska March 27, 10 3$ p m, This Office II 45 p m London, March 2f Kruitginger was closely pressed in the neighbourhood of the Orange River, and finding it uufordable he turned Bouth*west.

COLONEL ROBIN RETURNING.

Wellington, Mar oh 87 Colonel Robin cables the Premier that he is returning with the Third Contingent from South Africa.

The Half Caste Monster

United Prees Association—by Elnotrlo Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, March 27 The girl Wood baa returned to her home, apparently unharmed. Lock is still uncaptured

News ia Brief

Tendera ate invited f<E the lease of the Bucoleuoh Estate, Mount Somers, either in one lot 1 or in .three lota. Tenders olose on April <?bb, with Mr WE D Bishop, solicitor, Chj?i«tphnrofa, who la actipg for the ejcecjitore Iftto Mr JM Furp.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received Wakapuaka March 27, 10 33 p m» This office 11 60 p m RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN ITALY AND FRANCE London, March 27 The Italian Premier assured an American journalist that the Triple Alliance would not be renewed with out ripe reflection. It was imperative to dissapate any idea of Italy's ani mosity towards France. Thirteen Italian warships commanded by the Duke o! Genoa,, will shortly visit Toulon and Marseilles; THEMAKQtns OF SALISBURt'S HEALTH [ The health of the Marquis of Salis bury, who has been suffering from a chill, has improved. He go pa to Beaulieu, in France, shortly THE DOCKERS' STRIKE. The shipowners and employers refuse further concessions or arbitration to the dock strikers, who, greatly dis couraged, are sending a deputation to the Premier and the Minister of Commerce in reference to the matter. A general strike has failed LONDON CO. WATER BILL. The House of Commons by 153 votes to 176 negatived the London Coanty Councils Water Companies Purchase Bill, (Received March 27, 1130 p m SIR WILLIAM LYNE RESIGNS. vSydnky, March 27 Sir William Lyne has resigned the State Premiership. Mr John See reconstructs the Ministry. VICTORIAN MEAT EXPORTS. Melbourne, March 27 The value of the meat products exported last year was £334,547, as follows j—Frrzen beef £4,300, mutton and lambs £103,000, preserved meats £28,500, frozen rabbits £145,000, preserved £38,750, pou'try and game £7,500, eggs £2,400. The value of the products sent to the United Kingdom was £284,000, and to South Africa £32,000. The latter shows a iarge increase,

Interprovincial.

United Press Association—By Eiecbric Telegraph Dunedik, M&rch 27 The fire in the hold of (he Strathgryfe broke out again yesterday in » slight) degree, but was soon extinguished, and the work of taking out the cargo continued. This forenoon work in the after hatch had to be temporarily suspended, the fumes from the burned wotl being so pungent that the stevedores oould not work. Three of them were so prostrated that they had to be hoisted on deck in baskets. Windsails were rigged up, and after dinner work was i resumed , Awkxand, March 27 The Bishop of Melanesia sailed for the Islands on the Mission ship Southern Cross today. A poll of ratepayers was taken today on the proposal of the City Council to lease the recently reclaimed land in Freemans Bay, from the Harbour Board for a public park and borrow £800 to lay out) the grouad. The result was of a roll of 4600 ratepayers under nine hundred voted 527 for the pro posal and 319 against *,fae total. A bire majority carries the poll.

The Federation Commission

United Frets Association—By Blectrio Telegraph—-Oopy r Sg h fc (Received March 27, 8.50 pmj Sydnef, March 27 The members of the New Zealand Federation Commission have finished their inquiries in Sydney forthe present and embark to-day for Tasmania, after wards proceeding to Victoria and South Australia. Tho Chairman of the Oom - mission wrote to the Hon, Mr See, j Acting-Premier, expressing sincere I thank* on behalf of the Commissioners i for placing a ponvenient office at their ! dispose! and for other courtesies. The Commissioners expect to be in Sydney again for a day or two in about three weeks time. Reoeived March 27, 1130 p m The Federal Commission sailed for Hobart and took the evidence of the Principal of the Agricultural College with reference to Agriculture in New South Wales and the probabilities of a market in the future for Hew Zealand products in New South Wales,

The Trouble in Russia.

United Press Association—By Electric j Telegraph—Copyright j Received March 27, 922 p m) St. Petersburg, March 26 Caring riots seventeen persona were killed and thirty wounded at Moscow, while eleven were killed and twenty two wounded at St. Petersburg. Forty students drew lots as to who | should kill M. Bogoliepoff, Russian Minister of Education. I

The Shortange of Railway Trucke.

There is a great; outcry ju?t) now about railway trucks fo~ carting grain in^o Otmarn* Two Bteinu-ra (s^js the Mail) c»me into the port last week with coal, and »n engine was sent up the' Kurow line with stove for proteotiva works on the rivers. On the return journey she brought away every available truck from the sidinga eveb while the farmers'loaded drays were there ready to load up the' same trucks, Considerable indignation was paused by this action. It was foreseen that there would be a gt'eat scarcity of trucks for grain this Reason, but ft was nob anticipated that there would 'be euoh * deadlock an i« being experienced.

THE ROYAL VISIT

Aii Act of Indemnity to be Passed. United Preßß Association— By Electric Telegraph I)onedin, March 27 The Premier has wired to the Mayor, confirming Monday's telegram that the Government have decided to illuminate the Government buildings, and to construct platforms for the use of the distinguished guests accompanying their Royal Highnesses, and to ereob one arch ia each of the four centre*, for all of which Items £1000 will be expended in each centre. Ie doing this an ex penditure In excess of that allowed by law will moat probably be incurred, and to meet this emergency the Government proposes to promote and use ita beat efforts to pass an Act of indemnity. The Premier further adds :—" [The extraordinary and unprece* dented situation, and the honor and pleasure conferred by the visit of their Boyai 1 Highnesses, warrant my coming to th« conclusion that there will be no difficulty in passing such as Act) afc a very early stage of next session, and thoso members of Parlia ment whom I have spoken to on the snbjeob are all favorable, and consider ifc the proper thing to do."

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

United Press Aspooifttfon—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

THE QUESTION OF INDEMNITY

(Received M»roh 27, 9 25 p m London, March 27 Sir Robert Hart, Director of OhiMU Imperial Maritime Custom*, fans m). vised Li Hung Chang to provide tbt indemnity by stamp duties, taxes on houses, and on native opium; Great Britain opposes any incretie in tariff at the treaty ports. London, Shrek 27 HMB Terrible has been ordtrtd from A moy to Taku St Pei'EKSBUKa, March 27 The newspaper Movoeti tayß «, Bomo- Japanese alliance is desirable, even tit the cost of the partition of China

An Important Proposal.

United Prew Atsoeiation—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Chbrtchubck, March 27 A Conference was held this eVralaf between delegates from the Canterbury employers assurance and tha trad* labotr Council. The object was to disease a proposal from the employers that a jolot Committee be set up to collider tnd« disputes so as to avoid reference to ih« Arbitration Court It was decided that the delegates bring before both crganita tions a proposal to set op joint Board, con alstlng of a certain number ef delegates from each body to discuss questions affcoti ing them with the object) of bringing about friendly relations between m* plovers and employed.

POLO.

United Press Association—Bj Eteettfo Telegraph—Copyright Welukotoh, March 27. There were two aooidents at the Pols Tournament! today; Mr Ormond, on* of the Hawke's Bay team, got a crack on tht head with a stick, and pl«y had to be stopped for a time. The injury was not, hewtver, serious, and Mr Ormond [continued to "play. This accident, and the faot that thtir ptnlM had a hard game yesterday, contributed to their defeat by Rangitikcl. As ibwat, tht game was a tenst exciting ont, »ed Racgitikei only scored the winning goml within the l»st four minutes' play, Th« other accident wbs of a more serioot nafors. Mr Kenneth Duncan, who Was acting at goat umpire, was knocked headlong to tht groan* by a galloping pony, and reoeived slight concussion of the brain. Friday's polo match between Urona and Rasgitilel is being looked forward to with interest: Oroua is expected to score a fairly ta»y win.

A Remarkable Humour

ALLEGED EXCHANGE BY ENGLAND * AND FRANCE NEW HEBRIDES FOR NEWFOUND LAND SHORE RIGHTS United Press Association—By Elrotrlo Telegraph—Copyright Sydney March 27 A rumour, from what he describe* aa an exclusive and secret source, reached Mr Barton a few daytftga thai a suggestion had been made that th« | difficulty over the Newfoundland | French shore question might be settled by handing over to France British rights in the New Hebrides, as tin ex change for the French concessions in Newfoundland. Mr Barton interviewed Lord Hope toun, who despatched a cable meatftge to Mr Oharnberlain.inquiriDg if sacb[an arrangement were contemplated. Mr Ohatnberlaia replied : M Abso lutely no foundation for report." Mr Barton states he is keeping a very watchful eye upon the islands of tht PacifK He says the policy of the Federal Government in respect to the New Hebrides is that they wish to see such steps taken as will secure that no land passes in such a direction m may tend to fortify claims in respect of in* terests antagonistic to those of the Empire,

N.Z. Rifle Association Meeting

United Press Association—By Elect*to Telegraph—Copyright Wahsahoi, March 2f When the Wanganui match was aver the following were the highoHt of ththandrad aggregate! who were privileged to fire in tht Asoklftcd matof* (formerly the Grand Aggro gate matohj, the conditions of whiohare open to the hundred highest aggregates la matches 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 3 and 9, uvea ihots at 500 yds, 600 yds. and 700 yd«, the highest fifty of aggregate to fire final stag* for the belt:—King 444, Wilton 448, WLmftf 442, Sergeant Gkey 440, Nelson 44#» Humpb ries 438, 6 Loveday 436, A Ballioger 4», Webster 432, Doraigan 431, BaUour 4», Tarnbull 427, Paruell 488, W BaUinger 436 Oak ey 425, Pearson 425, Tnrn*rs26» Wint* lada426, Taylor 424, Cox 424, Thorpe 421, Woollett 421, Randell 421, Lseey4Bl, Git* dow 420. Simnlcaneously with this match the Lack. Try match, seven shots at 600 yds, ooained to those who have won not more than £616 the meetiDg was fired, the prise list being ai nader:— ■ LAST TRY MATCH Parkinson, Marten, £7, 50 Scott, Wangannl, £6, 49 Moid, Daoeain, £5, 48 ' Drew, Wangtnaf, £4, 48 Howie, Walroft, £3, « Tobio, Auckland, £2,' 47 Mills. Duntdin, £2, ■ - 6 Fraser, Kait»ng»t», £%, 47 Ktuse, WaogsiUat, £2, 47 ■ ' Btephano, limarn, 47, liorrojr, Chris*, church, 46, Sexton, Wairoa, 46, 3ml»h, Kaitangsta, 46, Strsohan, Marton, 44^ Irvine, Waimea, 46, Kretsohmar, Anokland; 46, Armstrong, Wair'aki, 46, Kiernan, Mar* ion, 45, Paterson, Hawera^ 45. Gaar, Dnsa* din, 45, A Williams, Woodviile, 45. J Buc kingham, Timarn, 45, Harding, Bleohtiss, 45, Lawrenoe, Kattaogats, 45, Hewlett,' Ohrittohnrcb, f4, Drummont}, DantTtrkt|* 44,BnohaQan, Anokhnd, 4|. Ashley, o|art«|i' 4|, GameroD, 'Ohristcburch, 4#, RcblntM, Christehurcfi, 44, McLeais, 44, WhUley; Kaiapoi, 44, Ferguson, Eunterrille, 44 t eaob take £1, Counted jout— T Fraier, Kaitan* gata, Milne, Maaaia, Kannay, Napier, Barkle, Chart ton. The priae winners In the Auckland matoh were~ Wakelin, Christoburoh, £8, 86 .. .. Hawtho'ue, WeUiDßtoo, £6, 96 Carey, Patea, £5,95 Trevethick, Petene, £3, 95 Okamnon Teams Match. Woodviile Rifle Olab-.Wilson 444, O Loveday 43§ W JDoveday 442, Ing pen 481, Nelson 440 total 2173, £16- Petone Bfflo Club--W B»l)! D e«r 488. A Baliinger 435. E Holtord 410. Wilson 412, Trevethick 407; total 2090^ £10. Karori Rifle Olab — Randall 431. Hawthorne 414, Marshall 408, William 415. Barns 416 ; total 2074, £f. i Other teams competing wera—Oiattr lory Engineers 2049, Akarama Rife Clab 2ql», Wairsrapa R fie Glttb 2016. Vlctorli Itiflesjf Anckland) 2TM32, Honorary Rwerra (Ohriatohurch) 1998. _ :• Private Fasreon, cf Timara, wins the union Company's cap. having made the highest aggregate in the Wang»no!|< Ohristchorch, and Wellington matohee. f Dobpite the difficult ranges at which the men were fchootiny today there Wfcii bat little change in the pißition of tht leading men. Wilson, the Loveday Broa" King, and Arthur Baliinger held their positions very well. ■ The following -Are • pose who' fire hi the fml stwv f*r til

THE ABBBURION GOAEDIAN ; THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1901



Full moon Last quarter Apogee New moon First quarter Perigee

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3 0 ii 5 42 ai 7 0 pi 215 pi 6 Bpi 2 Op



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Sets 5 5-3 5 5£ 5 53 5 51



of th» Smoke New Venae



BEMEMBER that Mblior's Zealand ia JJofft Stora ia the leading Bcob Shop, Wonderfn^ valuM^ MiLpop j Sgsofce Ney V«inp



FUR BALE. GOOD Building Site, Cox Streeb East, be<ng Town Section Ne 823 contain ing J Acre. High and dry, good Land. Small cash deposit, balance by iostal' meets : T BULLQOK Footballers are reminded that Ifee Annual meeting of the Pirates Footbail' Olob takes place tomorrow evening In McConneHs Booms, Tancred street, at 7.30 p.m. A lull attendance of members ia requested, Intending members are j also invited to attend,



; ' FOB TOUBINQ AND ORDINAEY EVERY DAY RIDING MASSEY-HARRES BICYCLES • ARE ESSENTIAL. raS Toßitta , Sprockets, etc, in & MAS3EY ake of stoh high grade BIATKRiAt. and the wirk pat into its tnannfaotare so carefully carried tat, th*c ttn MAS3EIT HiREIS bicycle will withstasid thk severest OTAGB Couhtby biskbs who trade with the MASBEY HARRIS COMPANY CAN EELY UPON ABSOLUTK SATISFACTION BEING OIVBN. OCR GUABAKTEE Is A ÜBEBAL ONE and the TEBM3 BASY. Second hahd Machines are taken in pakt paymbmt. "Canada Cycle & Motor Go, Limited. (M&SSEY-HARRI3 BRANOH) DUNEBIN DEPOT -121 a GEORGE STREET. Branches and Agencies everywhere throughout "New Zealand. MR F. N. WHITCOMBE, - SUEGEON DENTIST, LAUNDERS' BUILDINGS, (Opposite Railway Station, Aehbnrton) BEGS to intimate thai) he has commenced practice «t the libove address. Having imported the latesb appliances difeot from London and New York, he ia f> repaired to do Sret class woik ab moderate fees, All work done with care »nd despatch, and o«>ly the best material* u«ed. Stoppings and oare of Children's Teeth a specialty MR WHITOOMiBE will Viait as follows :— EAK4lA—Firafj and dhkd IHURSDAYS of every month ab the Railway Hotel, MIUHVEN—L»Bb THURSDAY of ovary month at the Canterbury Hotel. HOIRB—9 till 1, aad 2 till 5.



AHEAD OF THEM ALL. ALL PRACTICAL AND EXPEEIENCED BIDBKS SAY ABE THEIR FAYOBITES. They"are the best that money can buy They are the chpapest in the long ran They are thoroughly up to date Thfy are good, honest machines FRIGE—£2Ii Oall and inspect for yourself. We will guarantee to pleaee and suit you. GATES, LOWRY AND CO., Zealandia Oycle Works, BURNETT STREET, ASHBTJBTON. WALL PAPE RS. ¥¥T E HAVE TO HAND per the last Home boat—29 Bulee of the very ateafc ARTISTIC PAFBBHAKGINGS, the Colourings and Designs o which are decided works of art. Incloded in the shipment are Beaotifa Friezes and Borders to match the Papers. I hold the largest stock of WALL PAPERS..in South Canterbury Clients caa therefore rely mpon having a large variety of each respective sort to choose from. Jttttt ri AIT HOUSE DECORATOR AND SIGN \\l I I VI l\l WRITER, VV I I Jill I 1 Opposite Mail ©350e, 0 IT XJUrJUiu Bornetc Street. POBox 16. Telephoni



F.Z- CL(//II]NG FACTORY. , _ Hi i,...■i.,ii NEW GOODS. FEW GOODS. 25 DOZEN HABD MB SOFT FELT HATS. AH the Newest Shapes from se. GOOD VALUE lOR THfii MONEYj NZ, CLOTHING FACTORY U WANT A GOOD CYCLE LAMP. How will a '{DUPLEX' suit you? \ COOL—I hiu explains it all. The Duplex is cool. A 000 l lamp means 000 l gas, which is easily controlled and makes lit: automatic Lamp possible. Coo! gas means a white light, bo cscbfs prefigure, and longer burning capacity. Coo! gat prevent! the burner and valves from cboking, and does away with the danger of expansion ia»d explosion. C'LS/N. —6 clean lamp always works the best. The Duplexes always clean. Tha tope are always bright. Removing the bottom cape yon remove all dlrb and sediment, and the lamp can be filled »r>d charged in one quarter the time usually rcquired|with other lamps. JOHN ORR &CO., ASHBURTON, SOL® IMPORTER?.