Mail Notices

Mails olose for the following plaoes at under, subject to the neceenary alterations:

THURSDAY, Oat 1 For Northern Forts and Westport, per Torawera, at 6.30 p m

FRIDAY, Oob 11

For Northern Ports, Weapon, and Australian States, Japan, India, Chirm,, Straits Settlement, South Africa, etc, also Oonttneot of Europe and United Kingdom (duo London Nov 24), via Brindisi, at 10 30 a m

Commercial.

GERALDINE STOCK MARKET

At the Geraldine live stock market yesterday, a yarding of about 2000 sheep and a few head of cattle were offered, bat very little business was done. Metlno wethers sold at 11s 4d, hoggets 14s 4d. In cattle, fab steers made £8 sj, fat cows £9

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

Sydney, October 9 Wheat—Milling, prime, 2a 10d ; chick, 2a 8d

Flour —£6 10s to £61 15s; Manutoban, £11.

Oats, prime New Zealand, feeding B 3s, milling 3i to 3a Id Maize, prime, 2s lid

Rarley Cape, 2s 2d to 2i 3d. Bran and pollard, B|d Peas, Prussian blaee, 5i lOi Potatoes—Circular Heads £7, New Ze» land D rweati, £6 5a Onions—American £15 to £16 Butter, creamery, lOd ; oheese, New Zealand, s£dto 6d B»con, od to B£d. Hama, New Zealand, (The above quotations are those ruling between merchant and retailor, and do not represent; the slightly lower values obtained by a recognised broker.) Melbourne, Ocfc 9 Oat;?, Algerian 2i 5d to 2s 6d Maize, 2a 101 Bran 91, pollard 9£d Potatoes, £6 10s to £6 15a Adelaide, Ocfc 9 Wheat 2s 9d ; flour. £6 53 to £b Kb Bran and pollard, 91

HORSE FAIR.

Messrs Friedlandhr Bros held their monthly horse fair teday, before a good attendance. The total entry yarded oom prised 110 horses, nearly all broken to work. Prices obtained were fairly good, the following being the s&lea tip to oar going to press :—Draught geldings, brokeo, £30 to £35, two eatires making £41 and £43 respectively ; draught mares realised £28 and £32 10', one mare going to £46. Harass hacks sold at £9 to £10.

ADDINGION STOCK MARKET

Chribtchukch, October 9 There was a good attendance at the Addington market to-day. Cattle, —The yarding of fat cattle was exceptionally good, comprising 186 head of very good sorts. There was a decided slump in prices in the case of heayy cattle, but other and handier weights held their own well and were eagerly sought for. Ordinary steers sold from £6 7s 6d to £10 10s, heifers from £5 10s to £9 10s, and cows from £5 7s 6d to £8 10s. Fully Is per 1001b drop marked the sale of heavy weights, best beef bringing up to 27s per 1001b, and cow and ordinary beef sold at from 21s upwards. Store Cattle.— There was only a moderate supply of year lings, which sold from 13s to 20s; fifteen to eighteen months old cattle from 35s to £2 15s 6d; two year old steers at £4 2s 6d; two year old heifers at £1; three year old heifers at £5 2s 6d; and dry cows from 30s to £4, according to quality and condition. Sheep—-About 4000 fat sheep came for ward, but sales were chiefly to the local trade. Superior merino wethers fetched from 13s 8d up to 20s, and crossbred wethers from 17s 3d to 22s 6d ; butchers ewes from 13s to 19s. Export buyers dealt only with very prime, sheep, and many of the entries were not well finished owing to the back wardness of the season, but for really good mutton a risa of sixpence per head on last week may be noted. Fat lambs—Only 40 were penned, prices ranging from 11s 6d to 20s. Store sheep—2ooo were entered, but the demand was weak, and the bulk of the entry was withdrawn. Pigs—4oo pigs were entered. Best quality baconers £2 2s to £2 17s 6d, porkers 27s to 325, weaners 7s to 10s, slips 12s to 20s.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1901. Local and General.

On the fourth page today wi I be found reports of the Mount Hatt) and Rangitata Road Board meetings, aho Sperling and other news.

Catholic Church—Maau will be oele brated at Rakaia on Sunday next

AsHBUBTOSf Trotting Ojlub— Aooeptances for the Bpring Meeting, to be held next; Thursday, close this evening, at 9 o'clock*

Weather Forecast — Captain Edwin wires:—Strong north to weeb and south-west winds, after 12 hoars from now (12.56 p m) t with glass falling; Indications of froafc tonight.

Building Society Appropriations— Two Bporopriationa of £300 each in the Ashburton Industrial B'lildlng Soointy were ballottcd for last night, and fell to Mr John H-pburn and Mr John O Restell respectively

Labour Day Sports—At the various Labour Day Sports, Ashburton representa tives seem to have acquitted tcemselves creditably; At the Ohriaichurch Bf.ort.sJT Birch won the Labour Day Handicap (£10)j D L Da It on winning the high Jump ; at Buuedin H Holland won tiia Five Mile Soiß^oh Race (bicyo'e), and at Wei ington VV Pilcher won the One Mile Fiat Baoe.

A A G k A 0 Spjhts - Tho Secretary informs us thab the entries for the Sports to be held on Thacß&ny next are coming in fasti, and judging from the amount of interest shown in it, thn meeting should be an exceptionally good one. The sports will be followed by a g rand concert in the evening, at which Mr F A Hornibrook {Sandow Medallist), with a team of five others, will give a most interesting exhibition of weight lifting, AH the movements of the weight lifting will ba accompanied by a pianist, also from Ohrietchorohi

A Loyal Plaxsute —Rathor a pathetic little incident is associated with 'Cheekle, the sons; from the opera * Djln Djin,' which Misi Maijorle Saunders will sing at the Oddfellows Hall tomorrow night, The little Australian girl who played the part of * Oheekie' when Pollard's Opera Company was In town two years ego was taken seriously ill do ring the Ohrlatcburch season, and got fo Into her fevered head that her parents would suffer if she did not appear in the character. She was at last conaulod by the pbyfal promise that Marjqrle, then a little dot of leg* than eight, would take her place, bat she was to persistent about the progress of her sabatitata that) the promise given in jest had to be discharged in earnet t, and with only a day's no'ice the tiny understudy was prepared for the. part, which involved a good deal more than the singing of a laugh song, and on her first appearancß she acquitted herself so well that very few of the critics di-c vered the change in caste and M»rjorie personated her play* mate during tj^a remainder of the opera, and the tatter's recovery J&tjsd from the time when she heard her ofra reparation, and that of sher parents had been saved.

Police Stations —There are now 263 police stations in the colony. In 1890 there were 216 Tho strength of the constabulary Is now 504, «s against 403 in 1890. In the same time the population of the colony has increased from 664,855 to 8F6.290.

Hybrids—Mr W W Smith, the Curator of the Aehburton Domain, has some very h^Ddsome cpaoim a* of hybrids between the Rouen and Mueoovey duck. The birds are nearly as large as the Muscovy, bat much more shapely, and if a new breed could be established it should be very valuable for table purpose*. Mr Smith ia experimenting with woodhens and com moo fow!», the former appearing to be easily dome»tio&ted

Stamp Duty—The amount of stamp doty paid upon the bank note issue of the five private banks trading in the colony last year was £26 336, as follows :— Bank of New Zealand, £14.137 5 National, £4376 ; Bank of New South Wales, £2916; Union Btnkof Aastralia, £2708; Bank of A ustralasiaf 2197 The amount of s< amp duty on cheques was £23,911,

Lantern Lectore—ln connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society, a lantern lecture entitled * A visit to the Bible Honse ' will be delivered by the agent of the Society, the Rev F H Spen' cer, in the St Stephen's Schoolroom on Monday evening next. The views are said to be a very fine collection, and have been specially prepared to illustrate the work of the Bible Society. A collection in Aid of the fuada of the Society will be taken op,

Lobd Hopbtopn's CosrLY Position—lb is a grand thing to be Governor General of a newly born and mighty commonwealth, but ib is also Tory expansive* Lord Hopetoun'e salary as Govarnor-General of Australia is £10,000 ft year, but Mr Barton, the Premier, has joh»j explained to the Australian Parlia ment that) his Lordah'p'a expenditure exceeds hie salary by about £17,000 annually. This year Lord Hopetoun will probably have a special grant Ou account of the Royal visit, bub there will be come difficulty to finding his successor when the|ondof his term oomea. —Home paper.

Lan Maolabek-tld a character sketch in the Young Man of Dr John Watson, of Liverpool, the writer dwells on the preaoher and writer's extraordinary • capacity,' and says that it is undoubtedly one of the secret of his eaooesv, It has bees said that Dr Wai eon would have been one of the most successful pleaders of the day had he been at the B»r, and the business men of his congregation are fully alive to hie business ability. Bomeone was oomplatning to a shipowner, a member of Dr Watson's church, because the praaoher'e stipend had been increased, and was met with the reminder. « Why, I should ba glad" to give the Doctor £1200 a year to corns into my office just as ha is, without speoial expert* ence. It would more than pay me to do it, even la the first year/

Uathouo litibaby Sooiety—The umal weekly meeting of the Catholic Literary Sooiety was held laab evening, there being a good attendance of members. The President (Mr J K^naedy) occupied the chair. Two Daw members were elected, and also two omdtfafies proposed tor membership. The member* spent a verj enjoyable evening, the programme for which was supplied by the ever welcome "Editor's Box," and dur ing the coarse of the proceedings eomo very good speeches were delivered, questions of iooal interest and otherwise being freely discussed. Amongst the questions answered were a number bearing on hlßbotio and other matters, which should prove highly benefiaial to the juvenile members of the Sooiety, The programme of the evening was equal to its predecessors in every respect, and a most) instructive and enjoyable evening terminated in the usual manner.

Tna Ariel Road Bach-The Ariel road race came off oo Thursday, and was won by H. P. Arnst on his Rudge-Whitworth. ' Bri tain's Beet Bioycle' always leads, and for an easy journey over a hard road oin'b be beat* Latest models now on view at tha Budge Wbitworth Gvole Agency, Burnett Street,

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

INCREASE OF THE REVENUE.

United Press Assooiatloa—By Electric Telegraph Wellington, Oct 9

Speaking at the Labor Sports this after noon, the Premier, after extolling the legis lative system of New Zealand, said he was one of those who regretted that Parliament had not seen its way io provide in a straight out way that no man should work more than eight hours per day. It should give eight hours per day to the workers by statute. In regard to the amendment made in the Act by the House, under which disputes could be taken directly to Conciliation Boards, he thought it would destroy the vital principle of the Act, namely, conciliation between the parties. Though there had been some friction in the machinery they must stand by the principle of the Act. If the Legislative Council took up the attitude that such a change should not be made, he, as leader of the House, would be with the Council. He believed there were some members of the House who would be glad to review their attitude on the matter. The Premier also referred to the fact that in his belief there should be an organisation of workers and employers in tho country districts. He announced that on the previous day the Secretary to the Treasury had informed him that the receipts for the last six months were £160,000 more than the corresponding period of last year.

Ashburton Bowling Club

ffhe annual meeting of the Ashburton Bowling CJgb was hejd i.asfr nfgfrt, when there was a fair attendance of members. In the absence of the President, Mr I) Thomas, the Vice-President, Captain Coleman, was voted to the chair.

The secretary read the annual report and balance-sheet. The report showed that the Club had had a prosperous year, and that the membership had increased, and now stood at 50. The green was in splendid condition, and members were all practising assiduously, and showing good form. The Club had been very successful in com petitions, having defeated a combined Christehurch and Canterbury Clubs' team, while a rink from the Club had won a second prize at the Oamaru tournament. The balance-sheet showed that the expen diture had exceeded the income by £115s 6d, making, with the debit balance brought forward from the previous year, a total debit ,o££32Bg4d.

,In nioving the adoption of the re i; port and balance-sheet, tjie chairman I stated that a good deal of jnjtial expense in .connection with the green "had been got over, and that the annual expense •jyojjiid be much less for the future, and with $n anticipate^ increase in the membership fcfre finances of the Club would quickly im pi'O'VS. Tfie members had greatly improved in their play, and he expected many 1 chal lenges from other clubs durjngiliib incoming geason. He complimented ihe (Jrojiijci Committee and the Secretary and Treasurer on the able manner in which they had performed their duties. Mr Northcote seconded, and took the opportunity of stating that he would give a donation of £3 3s towards the reduction of the debt. Mr Northcote's intimation was greeted with a hearty round of applause. The report and balance sheet were adopted, The following office bearers for the ensuing year were ap pointed :— President, Captain Coleman; Vice-President, Mr J. Snodgrass; Hon Secretary, Mr G. F. Dodds; Hon Treasurer—Dr. Hunter; Committee of Management —Messrs D Thomas, J Davison, ,0 D Hardie, F Scrint, H C Craighead: iOelegajte to Sports Association—Mr J Snod grass'j''" Auditor—Mr D Northcote. The opening day was fixed for Thursday, October 17th, when the prizes won during the last season will be presented. Votes of thanks %6 the retiring Secretary and Treasurer, members of Committee, and to Mr Hardie for presentation of a set of bowls were 'passed. Five new members were elected, ana the meeting terminated. ;

CABLE NEWS.

Halted Preas Association—By Eleotrio

Telegraph—Copyright

BRITISH IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

London, October 8

The British imports for September increased by £3,024,000, and the exports increased by £2,558,000. The imports of refined sugar decreased by £278,000; unrefined sugar increased 24,200 cwt. in quantity, but decreased in value by £80,000, The decrease in thecoalexportsamounted to £1,250,000 compared with last September.

BRITAIN AND AMERICA. The Daily Chronicle and Daily Telegraph announce that Great Britain and America have agreed to abrogate the Olavton-Bulwer treaty. In return for the abrogation, America guarantees the neutrality of the Isthmian Ganah Aa long as peace obtains there shall be no discrimination in favour of America. AN AUSTRALIAN PROFESSORS

DISCOVERY. The skeleton of a Dipretodon, dis covered by Professor Stirling, of Ade laide, haa been erected in the geology caller? of the British Museum,

THE TRANS-OASPIIN RAIL-

WAY

London, Oct 9

The Times states that the Russians are proceeding rapidly to connect the Trane-Oaspian railway with Meshed via Aekabad and Kettecbinar. The Russian Bank opens a branch at Meshed to assist in financing the work.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S POLICY.

Washington, October 8

President Roosevelt has appointed Mr Jones, a Democrat and anti- Bryenite Judge of the Federal Supreme Court. President Roosevelt deolares his intention to appoint the beat men to office, regardless of their politics. A MILLIONAIRES MUNIFI-

OENOEi

New York, Oct 8

Mr Pierpont Morgan has given £100,000 to the New York Episcopal Cathedral.

FATAL EXPLOSION IN A QUARRY.

Jremantle, October 9

A premature explosion at the quarries killed two men named Malone and Harfenett, and seriously injured four others.

SOUTH AFRICA.

BOTHA INTERCEPTED.

COLONEL SEKEWIOH.

London, Oot. 8

Generals Walter Kitchener and Brace Hamilton on Sunday were engaged north-west of Vryheid, ia the Halzotic moan tains. They checked Botha's northward movement,

Colonel Kekewich from his wounds.

has recovered

SPEECH BY LORD ROBERTS.

Lord Roberts, addressing the Liver pool Volunteers, said Lord Kitchener, in whom everybody placed implicit confidence, never made a demand for men, horses, or stores that was not immediately slanted. There was no cause for anxiety

KITCHENER'S WEEKLY REPORT

Lord Kitchener's weokly report shows 50 Boers killed, 26 wounded, 244 captured, and 60 surrenderors, while 111 rifles, 8170 rounds of ammu* nition, 60 waggons, 640 horses, and 5220 cattle were captured. The dim inution in the figures is due to the operations on the Natal frontier

BOER GENERALS

Smuts has headed north near Dor rington. Foache and Weasels are South of the Drakensberg Scheepers is guttering from appen dicitis

SOME INTERESTING LETTERS.

Dp Kranse was remanded for « month, Letters which were read show that he was associated with Dr Leyds and Broeckma in sending ammu nition to South Africa. He advocated shooting of Forster, a barrister far meriy a champion of the Gut landers and hostile to the Boer cause. Kranse, writing to Dr Lleyde for money, took credit for enabling the burghers to escape to Pretoria and remove £180,000 daring the days of armistice. He maintained that he negotiated with Lord Roberta in regard to the sentence of death on thirteen prisoners with the result th*t ten were pbmmuted to penal servitude for life, One of them, Daniel Henning, of Spetzcoolci, waa fined £1000, besides penal servi tude

Affairs in China.

London, October 8

Rooter's correspondent in Fekin reports that a requisition has been made to the Chinese Treasury for 13,000.000 tack, to provide for the return of the Imperial Court to Fekin, for famishing palaces at Kai fung hn, the capital designate, and at Pao-ting fa, and for entertaining on an extrava gant ecale.

SpAK,QHAi, October !?

The Oonrt left Singanfu on the 7th, and will travel to Kaifeng, thence by Hankaa to the Pekiu line.

Death of the Ameer.

United Press Aesool&fclon—By Eleotrlo Telegraph—Copyright Kabul, Oct 9 The announcement of Habibullah's accession was received quietly in Jellalabad and Dacca, The long establishod tracqtiility of Afghanistan is considered a good augury for the people Accepting Habibullah.

The local branch of the D,T,O. has now been in full swing in Aahburton for just 6 months, which is 5 montihe longer than was anticipated at tbe commencement of the ea'es The sale has proved an unprecedented buocobs, and as it is now drawfng to a ologe, those who are contemplating purchasing a piano or organ, or musical instruments of any description would do well to mike their decisibn while euoh a magnificent stock is here from wh:ch to make their selection A new shipment, which will also bo the list, has jmt been opened

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph

Wellington, October 10 The Vo!onteer officers from different centres now ]n Wellington at the sohool of military instruction goes into camp at Xrantham tomorrow, for a week of open air work.

MINING

Dunebin, Ootober 10

Todays sales—Ah&ura 4i 3d, 4a l£d, Ben digo 104 3d, l(h ; Boundary Greek, Preferen tial, 6s6d, 8j; Eleobric Extended 9a, 9<; Fourteen Mile Beach 17s 5i ; Golden River, seven parcels at 8s 6 I ; Leaning Book 13?, 18s 3d, 18s 3d ; thres parcels at 8a 6d, four i,fc 18* 9i ; Monte Ohristo, throe parcels at 32a 3d ; Rise and Sh ne 9a 6J ; Ueviot 6a 6i ; Vincent) Extended 9s 6d.

Australian Trade.

A DISCUSSION IN LONDOK.

London, Get 9

Colonel Bell, ex American Consul at Sydney, addressing the Chamber of Com merce, said the trade per capita showed the Australians to be among the wealthiest and most commercial people in the world. Australia, considering her population, -was the beat market on tha globe. There were practically no losses In business, Mr ftopeland recommended the manufac tnrers to study the feeling and even the prejudices of the Australian importers* Mr Grabger, Agent Genera! for South Australia, complained of the exclusive contracts for American beef by the navy. Superior South Adelaide flour waa declined for the army in South Africa in favour of America*

A Distinguished Guest

United Freo Association—By Blaotrie (Telegraph Invercargill Cotober 9

For Eorae months past Lieutenant Ke«' neth Cameron, on behalf of the Highland Society of Southland, has been correspon ding with General Sir Hector MacDcnold, with a view of inducing him to visit New Zealand when relieved of his duties iv South Africa. General Mac Donald was promoted recently to the command of an important British military station on the Afghan frontier, and before taking ap his new command, has been grafted a well earned holiday to visit Australasia. Lien* tenant Cameron received a cablegram today from the General, stating ihat he will arrive at Inverearg-ll about the 21st October, for a short tour of New Zealand. Daring his stay in Invercargill he will ba the guest of the Highland Society, who are making great preparations for his recap' tion and entertainment.

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

The following completes our report of yesterdays proceedings:—

THE LUNCHEON

The delegates at the midday adjourn meat proceeded to the Commercial Hotel to lunch, on the invitation of the Ashbar ton branch. There were also present by invitation—Messrs W H Collins (Mayor), Mr C J Harper (Chairman of the County Council), Ds Trevor, Mr Hoko Ftiedlan 1 der, and Mr C W ParnelL Mr Leadley occupied the chair, and expressed his pleasure at having the oom pmy of various local representatives* He took the opportunity of saying there was a unity of interest which bound them al! together. Any injury to any particular paib maet offsot the entire fabric The farmers desired to see progteis combined with prudence, and the preservation of that) freedom which was man's noblest object. By concerted action they hoped to benefit the whole community; Ihey were indebted to the County Council for the use o! their Chambers. Mr Harper took an interest iv the Union, and trusted they would grow and make their influence known, Politics were at the root of their happiness and misery. The time had arrived when they had to look after their own interests. He warned them to watch comiog event?; His Worship the Mayor, referred to the growch of Ashburton. On behalf of ths otiizuns of the town he welcomed the delegates to Aahbuctoo, Whatever affected the welfare of the farmers afiF cfced the tswn peopifi- Although he only farmed eight acres, he could assure them he bad his troubloa, and his expenses in t his connection would exceed bis income. He was sure the deliberations would be in the interests of the community Mr Hugo Frledlander, representing the mercantile interests of the county, also made a few remarks, His business was closely allied to the farming Interests. He hoped when they came to deal with the Oats Con tract with South Africa they weald deal, not too hard, with those who were supposed to hrvve nude so many thousands out of it, Ib was on account of the low price quoted by New Zealand that it had secured park of this oat contract. There wbb nothing like unity, and if the farmers stuck together they would succeed in their efforts Dr Trevor on behalf < i the profession* expressed hia pleasure in attending, and he w»s glad to see the farmers combining In their own interests

Mr Purnell expressed Burprlsa that a Union bad nob been established earlier. He suggested to the Executive that as the Chambers o fOommcrae, the Union should hold quarterly meetings, and not leave the calling of meetings to the Kxeoutive* He hoped their motto would be defence and not defiance; they should protect their avra interests and not aljs<»ok otherst He com* mendtd the inclusion cf f *rm labonrera to th? Union« He wished them every auooeBB; Messrs Maslin and Rainey, on behalf of of the southern and northern branches of the Union, replied on its behalf to these remarks, and they complimented the Chair* man and the Executive upon the rrunaer in whioh tho proceedings of tha first conference had been carried out, nftor which the members returned to the Conference

On resuming at 2 30 p m, various subjects were introduced, but were not vpeciaily dials with by ony motioa The Chairman then read the following reply received from Me Beddoa ;— "la reply to your telegram, ib is the intention of the Government to bring in a measure this session amending the Workers Compenaatlon for Accidents Act. I stated this in the House some weeks ogo* lam forwarding you a copy of Conciliation and Arbitration Bill as it left the House of Represanfc%tiveF. You will see the amend ment I proposed, and indicated in your telegram, and Which Was rejected, la is oontendei that)' ie ia an open question whether ib applies to agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The Bill is now before the Legislative Council." Members indicated that this was really not an answer to the questions of the Union. Mr Leadiey thought the answer net a genuine one, and Mr Corcoran urged that the Premier be telegraphed to, that the reply was unsatisfactory, ani he bo asked for a distinct reply—Yes or no The Chairman in<liojbed that negotiations had been opened with insurance companies so that they uould take s^ps, if neoessary, to protect themselves by insurance. If they would agree to psol their insurances they would save 80 per cent on rates. He would open the letters with respect to insuranoe if they wished. Mr Glass said he had formerly enquired ac to their position as farmers on this Bill, but he had received from Wellington a similar indefinite reply Mr Mielia explained the Bill, and stated it was never intended when the |$U1 was origiui'iy passed that agriculturalists were to be' ino'uded. He wai, however, con vinced th»t farmers were distinctively inoht led in the workings cf this Aot

The Chairman stated tho Grown Solicitor in Wellington had intimated that uiilqbb specially excluded, the farmers were ii> eluded in the Act

Mr Willis here moved—' That the Con ference strongly protests against the far ! mers being included in the Workers' Com ! pensation for Accident Act, and that a copy j of this resolution be sent to each member of the House. 1 | Carried. | THE MILLEHS TRUST.

Mr Whitty brought up the subject of the price of flour, and complained of the figure charged by the Mills Trust. He moved that it be a recommendation to the Conference to enquire into the Millers Trust. The latter, he pointed out,-got 22401bs of grain but only returned 20001bs in flour. An addition was made that the Conference deprecates the formation of the Millers Trust as likely to be most inimical to the interests of producers and consumers alike.

Mr Leadley contended that they were trying to keep down the price of grain and restrict its output. The course adopted by the Miller's Trust would be to buy grain when at a low figure, and afterwards raise the price Id or 2d per bushel, and would then state they were not buyers. The price of flour would be raised per ton, tnd also that of gristing, until farmers would only get a return of 50 per cent of the value. Bakers would be compelled to purchase from mills under the Trust. They dare not buy a ton of flour from the Wakanui Mills, for instance, as a bond had to be signed, and they (the bakers) would thus be liable to a heavy fine if they purchased outside this Trust,

Mr Whitty thought this showed the more necessity that something should be done. The Millers Trust had instructed the bakers as to the price they were to charge for their bread, and this was a fact for the men and women of the colony to consider.

Mr Harding thought that the history oi Trusts was a disastrous one.

Mr Keith failed to see why the millers should not be allowed to combine as well as the Union which was sitting. Messrs Bruce, Corcoran, and others spoke in condemnation of the Miller's Trust, and the Chairman admitted that if they did not take notice of it they would not be worthy members of the Union,

Mr Chapman said he had been informed that the difficulty millers previously had was in the sale of their flour. If a baker wanted quotations he would apply to, say three different millers, and work on the lowest quotations, and make an offer accord* ingly. The Trust was not purchasing grain, the millers alone carried out these purchases. Mr Glass confirmed the remark that the Miller's Trust did not purchase grain. A member stated that they must be making money when they could afford to give a manager £1000 per annum. Mr Gardner understood that previous to the formation of the Trust the treatment given the millers had been scandalous.

The motion was carried unanimously. INSURANCE

Mr Recce considered that before dealing with the terms supplied by the insurance companies the subject should be brought before the Colonial and Provincial Executive.

Mr Harding pointed ont that the premium to be charged would depend upon the number of insurances effected through the Union and the total of the wages.

Mr Chapman moved that this Conference instructs the Executive to watch the course of events in Parliament, and in case of the amending Act not being passed that they take measures to protect their interests by arranging for insurance as a Union, and this was seconded by Mr Henry and carried with the addition that the proposals submitted by the various Companies should be relegated for the consideration of the Executive.

A lengthy discussion ensued upon this matter of insurance, and a further motion of Mr Pannett was carried—" That it be a recommendation to the Executive to devise some scheme whereby agricultural workers who may be injured or disabled by accident may be assisted or supported without pressing unduly on the individual employer of such worker."

THE CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION ACT

Mr Maslin moved and Mr Rainey seconded a proposal that this Conference of Farmers within the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, urge upon the Government to at once pass a clause in the amending Bill now before the House, excluding all agricultural and pastoral pursuits from its operations A copy of the foregoing resolu tion to be forwarded to the Premier and to Messrs Steward, Flatman, McLachlan, Hardy, Buddo, Meredith, Rhodes, and Russell.— Carried. THE LICENSING ELECTIONS. Mr Bruce moved that it is desirable that local bodies should have the power to appoint Returning Officers under the Licensing Act, and have the control of elections under it. This was agreed to. i THE HONORARIUM. At the instance of Mr Corcoran, the fol lowing resolution was adopted j— {l That thjg Conference strongly protests agairis'fe any increase in the honorarium of M.H,R.'s. GRAIN PRICES.

Mr Leadley wished to see §ome system introduced by which they could obtain a proper and reliable estimate of the value of their grain. At present they depended upon jbhe newspapers and the merchants. The latter mighs'not, perhaps, be human if they did not sometimes supply information as suited themselves. He would ady.gcasp the. establishment of & Bureau, where, members of the Union should be asked to report sales to the secretary of their branch, and at the end of the week the lattershouldforwardaHst of actual transactions made in their locality, and he moved in that direction. These compiled lists should be printed and dis tributed to members weekly through the post, and each Monday morning the members would know the exact value of any grain in the market. For say 2s 6d to 3s per mem ber, they would thus get hundreds of pounds in value in return, and information gleaned from all parts of the colony. Mr Geo. Whitty defended the Press, who, he'stated, were always pleased and willing to report sales, and it was the farmers own faults if they failed to make sales public. This method through the Press, he contended, was much better and cheaper th,ap $haf suggested by Mr Leadley. "Mr Harding said if the Union sent in reliable information to the papers, the latter would be the best method of publishing prices. (Applause). ' Several members expressed the opinion £hat the Farmers; PorOperatiye Associations shoiijd, if cl^1!? $*e! r wor^ PWferly, supply $liis'information,' ' ' ' Mr Leadley, is reply, «a|d the Co-Opera* tive was not guiltless, and they also Old. not give the information desired. There was a crying need tor some alteration* He gave three instances where information bad been withheld or incorrectly given, and which should have been made public. New Zealand wheat prices had been misquoted as Austra lian, and in one case a sale of oats had been incorrectly quoted, and the excuse made was that it arose through a printer's error. Their Secretary could easily collect and send reliable information, and its value would be incalculable, c

Mr Leadley's motion on this head was carried.

OAT CONTRACTS

Mr Corcoran moved that in all future contracts for prqduoe made by the' Cfovete* metiji they should d&il'' direct wKh v me farmers, if the Government could thus deal in horses they could surely also buy oats. Mr Pannett could not see that the Govern ment was to blame.

j Mr Chisholm was satisfied the farmers i would have jumped at is 7d and Is 8d for 1 oats instead of the Is Id they actually received^' ' lJ w: ls "; "|:j- a:'~* The motion was carried. ; AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

Mr Lambie considered they should record their appreciation of what had been done lor farmers, and he contended that some valu able work had been done by the Government, and he would move " That this Conference of farmers hereby records its appreciation of the recent concessions made by the Minister of Railways in the interests of the agricul tural community, and they would trust Sir J. G. Ward, as Minister of Railways, will favorably consider any further reasonable request from this Farmers' Union." Mr Maslin seconded, and commended the action of the Government in many of their measures. Including land ftp §ettte,me,afi anil Cheap 1 money schemes, and tlig' yfia Included in Mr Lambitfs motion,'and carried; M* Glass admitted that the Government had helped the Union in various ways, such as franking telegrams, etc.

ELECTION OF TOT EXECUTIVE. The nomination, of members then tool? plsee. ■

Ififo ABHBOKIOK GOABDIA^ : THOR3DA? OCTOBEK 10, 1901



P. FKKRIMAfI BiLGKK'S SHEEP MARKING COMPOSITION, In Three Oolora — Black, Rtd, Blue, THE finest and ino&t economical Branding Oil ia the market, R-ad the plnn natf Lending Sheep Farmers in Otago; "WE INTJSNB tJSIKO If AGAIN ! From JS. 25. Agricultural Co , Waiin'?!* House, G >re, May 22 1597 Dear Sirs, —We have toond Bergtir'b Marking Oii to bt* a good *ud durable Shsep branding m«.t«n*i and intend using It again, as being cheaper* fchati the prep arations formerly used f >r the purpo c, P. J. Paxeesok, Siat Mge UNDOUBTEDLY MOKE ECOKOMICAL THAN 01D AND LAMPBLACK From J M McKenzs'e, Bauhj Park Estate, Palmersfcon • May 19, 1*97 Bear Sirs,™ I have greafc pleasure in Statin;* thab Beroeb's Sheep Branding Compound that I received from yon has given me every eai ufactton, and is siorfuQbted3y r»>or« economic 1*! ihsin otl and lomnblurk. I MAKR A POINT OF KECOMJieNDING IT From "-'.ohor! L-.gan, M-irit&ngv Hy?.e, May lv, 1898 bear Sirs, — I h%v« uatsd Berokr's Branding Oil fo» some years, and bavp found it s > s-»biyfaotory . hat t malt- a p»ini ot rpo )'nmniidi» gif The liquid in the drums io of 'ho !<am. consistency right from tos» to b'icom, and required no stirritg ONLY TO BE USED TO BE APPBBOIATSD From James Taylor, Wairuna, Clinton. M»y 5, 189? Daar Sire,—l need Bkbgbu'B Branding OH, hbek and red, lasc season on my flock, and am perfectly satisfied with the rei*»lts. To &heap farm ore the preparation Is Invaluable, being always ready and higWy economical. Ife haa only to be TJBBD TO BK AKPBECIATED. ■ GIVEN EVEBY SATISFACTION FOB, SEVERAL YBABS From Mr John Elliotb, Qladbrook Station, Micdlemarch. May 18, 1897 My D^at Sirs.—lra reply I© your inquiry regarding Bbegee's Sheep Marking Com pound. We have used this Compound on »11 our fijeks for sever a! years and ib has given every s»ti-faction. Ie h of even quality, and i« ready for nse. I find it lasts weii, being qaite legible on full woolled nkins Ie is mnch more eoonoml' ealthaa brand mids with the old miterisls (laropblack and oil), as owing to Its even quality, there is no waßte. Alwajß ready for use. Guaranteed not to Injure the wool. Will wash off on scouring without leaving a stain. Sold by F. FERRIMAN. Aahburton, N 2.



"CROWN" I ROLLED OATS. MANUFACTURED by EVANS AND 00, LTD, at their " Crown Mills," jDuDOclio, from the best New Zealand WHITI OITS. by the most modern Machinery, jusb imported from America. A TRIAL SOLICITED. To bo had from all Grocer*. Bole Manufacturer*, EVANS AND CO., LTD., Dunedin and TimaraJ 9 268 OCEAN Accident & Guarantee COBPOKATION, Ltd, Capital ... ... £1,000,000 rTIHIS Corporation has ABSOLU TELY NO TARIFF A rrangements with any other COM PANY, and will Dover ALL EM PLOY EBS at LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES. Employers Insuring with as can rely on Best Treatment, and Claims Bo Not become a Charge on the Consolidated Pevbntjk. Neither will Clients be subjected to the RED-TAPE METHODS inseparable from Government De partmental Control. Accident and Illness Insurance World-Wide as to Travel. Nicoll Bros. AGENTS, ASHBURTON. 10 18 PBINGE ALBERT PRIVATE HOTEL, Wills Street, Aahburton, HAVING leased the above well known and centrally situated Private Hole!, I am prepared to receive Boarders. Thfi Hotel has beeu completely renovated and refurnished throughout, and is specially adapted for families visiting Aehburton, Home Comforts and conveniences. Terms Moderate* A H. FELLINGHAM, (Late of the W.CiT.U Coffee Room?, 9 188 Ohrlstohnrch j ' 1-iZW TAR"{FF 'CHAMPION BLEND OTHER PRICES; VG Yd *A 0 2/2 2/4 % PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. WE beg to inform the public of Ash barton and surrounding district that wt) have taken over the business hitherto car ried on by Mb Gjcorge Wobnbr, as a Family Butcher. East Street, Ashburton, and that the business will be carried on, together with that of a General Store, in the premises ab corner of East Belt and Wakanui Bead. We trust that with strict attan tion to tbe interests of the publio to merit & Mr share of the public patronage. Customers waited on daily- HUSTON & SON. GARDEN TOOLS Garden Tools, of every deacription, the largest variety in iheCouraty, at prices which defy cotnpeti' tinn. LAWN MOWER 3 from 22a 6d each; wire netting from lsd par yard. To be had only at G Meddins, the People's Iron' monger WANTED — Pacchasers for five email Sheep Runp, improved and partly improved, > close to new line of railway to Auckland,— ! F Brooking, Land Agent, Stratford | , — ; -— ! WAKTIiD KNOWN—That our new | Prints >>v<) now on view, and i comprise choice aiDghama, ravishing deiigna j in mercer z d Blouse cloth?, and full rangeß of auitiogdrilU—Mitohbi.li & Turner, the Drapers



BUSINESS NOTICES J. WILSON ÜBKS NOTHING BUT /"I RiNUISB WHITE LEAD AS'D PURE LXNSKED OIL JFJR HOUSE FAINTING, &c. BEAUTIFUL WALL PAPERS. T HAVE FOR SALE — The Latest and Moph Op.to.date Farm Machinery in tbe market Fielding Oil and Gas Engines, horizond-l »nd fctationaty types, from I^hpto 7hp Iron Wsaodardß and Fcaaing Wi c (pnoe down again) Bmoko Whe^p Shearing Oiu'ohea Macuref ; Twine, (Don»t>hy'« Best) St-iadard Ola for Threshinp, Horvaster as d Binder Machir ef>, Ov liuder, Pioueh and S p!>rator.—After a trial will use DO f'her V»CU'irn 0 U, rrpaily reduced !n price bheep SKi-ikro (Hinemoa) ; Brauding Paint Tho Woo-^yalt High Wheel Lswo Mower, (perfect machine) Q'he Crown Cieam Separator and Daisy Churns BIC VOLES and all Requisites—The latest model Chain Envo)', beautiful machine for strength, style and finish. The coming machine—Chainless Envoy, no coga or chain, bub rolls along the easiest running machine in th« market; onoa ridden, always ridden, Inspection invited District £gent Colonial Mutual Life Asfiooiabton Fira ani Marine Insurati-g fffacted Buyw of Oats, Grass and Glover Seeds FOR SALE—Several Good Agricultural stodSbeep Farmi s cheap,on exceptional te»mi FOR SALWand TO LET—A few good Town and County Hotels, cheap, '. ati'd on any reasonable terms FOR SALE—First class Brewery Bua! -oeßis, doing 50 h-gsheads per month ; good reasons given fur selling, and must be sold at occe« For particulars appiy W. STONYEE, AROADB, Machinery, Grain, Insuranre, Land, Estate and Oommißsion Agent 9 243 "A THING OF BfiAUTY 13 A JOY FOR EVJBJB." nprIERFFORB Procure the Servicßß of ,T. I*. 1 1 IC4« s* •tO DECORATE YOUR HOMES With hia Beaut Hal Deafens in Paper and PaiuD Work. Aa Spring 1* coming, apply early to avoid , the rush of work. j WINDOW GLASP, PAINTS, OIL*, &| FAPERINGB IN STOCK. J. L. I'IIGGS, TAKoa»n Stbbbt.



; ,„_„_,„ iMj ,B_ OSINBSB NOTIqEL,,, ' WOOL SEASON 1901-2. WE shall be represented at the Ohristchurch and Timara Auotion Sales, and have made satisfactory arrangetoenta for disposing of OHp? privately afc Aahburton, Oonsignments will bo received at our Ashbarton Stores, and sent ok to either Ohriatobarch or Timara, free of all charges except railagf. Clients who wish to send their Wool direct from their nearest railway station will please consign as follown :— If intended for sale at Ohristchurch— Brown and Son's Siding, Addingfcon. If intended for sate at Timara—Mill <fe Company's Siding, Timaru, I! intended for sale at Aehbufton—-Friedlander Bros', Ltd, Siding, Aehhurton Woolpacke, Twine, Branding Oil »nd other Sheanog Eeqaieites, supplied at lowest rates. The Season's Sales have been fixed as follows?— OHRTSTOHUROH. TIM ABU. November 21sfr, 1901. Dfcember 6ffa, 1901. December 12th, 1901. Jmuary Hrb, 1902 January 17th, 1902 irebruary 26th, 1902. February 20th, 1902. FRIEDLANDER BROS., LTD. 10 76



ESTABLISHED 1874* fClilS I il IjII "wm^VJnor' ■ 11l 1 11 Ij II mal state, we can JO \¥LMI»MAU give much better «Sc CO. value this season £3 10s. Just Received — Samp'cs Ci fTf fW]Ci of Choicest TWEEDS ever kj I I'l 111 shown. Coosequently£3 10b i% I 111 Suits are far superior thin 111 I I [ 1 mmoii; N!%J M. M.KJ JUBILEE BUILDINGS 9 104 MR 8 J. LLOYD, MUSIO SELLER and rrtEACHER of PIANOFORTE axd X ORGAN. Musical Instruments of every description. Latest musio by every mail. Pupils thoroughly taught. Terms, £1 la per quarter AGENT FOR 1 EMPRESS NEEDLE. Designs, Plushes, Wool, Silks and Frames, as usual* Tancsed Street (next Hall, Herbalist) mHOMAS T7OUNG, BOOTMAKER (of Lees ton), DESIRES to inform bis old Friends in the Wakanui, Mayfield, Longbeacb, and Aehburton Diatriobe, that he will start business on his own account) In Tacorad Street, Ashburton, daring the First Week in Ooboher, when he trusts, by good work" man-hip and punctuality, to receive » fair share of their ousbom A Large Assortment of Boot?, Shoes, And Siippera fcoseleot from. I Address—Tanored Street-, Hexb to Mr i Maophersoa, Ironmonger. 9 194 bPECIAL NOTICE. THE undersigned begs to Inform his numerous Customers and Friends that he has removed from his (ormer residence to a more Central and prominent position on the Main Bead, within five minutes w.*lk of hia former place, his Business having inoreaeed so considerably these last few years that he found the land inadequate to cultivate stock enough for his customers. Thanking hia Patrons and Friends for • their increasing support, and trusting by unremitting attention to their requirements, to secure a continuance of their confidence, and the honour of their kind reoommenda' Hod, James Porter, CLIFTON NURSERY, AUenton, Ashbutton. © | ______ , }j> ®| NEW Zb3ALA.NO CLOTHING FAOTOBY MEN'S AND BOW CLOTHING IN GREAT VARIETY. Men's Colonial Tweed Suite 25s Men's C lonial Tweed Trousers 8j 9J Boys' Sailor Suits 7s Boys' Norfolk Suits 11b Boys' Washing Blouses 4a Boys' Kharki Suits 7i NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. New Straw Hate, Soft and Hard Felt Hats, Cap a, Tennis Shirto, Regatta Shirts, Ties, Braoes, etc, etc The Largest Stock of Gentlemen's Require ments in Ashburton NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING T7ACTORY LpTHING J; AOTORY SEE Oar Windows f.*r Stylish Boots and Shoes ; pretty shades in tan leathers—J-tock s Blue Boot Store • MRS ALCOBN is now showing a beauti ful Assortment of New Dress Uoods, Siikß, Maßlins, Prints, Laoes and Trimmings* Also a lovely selection of Parisian Millinery 1 in Hate, Bonnetts, Straws. Flowers, Quills, , and Feathers. Haviug secured the services of a first) class Milliner and Dressmaker, i satisfaction is guaranteed to all. Mewest ! deai«ns in Arb Needle Work, Silks, Arasenes I Wools, Transfers, &c, always in stock 9 223 i £T ERE we ar« again with 5909 pairs of ' JjL the best assorted Stock of Boots i and Shoes in Ashbnjr.tQar--M-$-.Oi<s Zealaadia Soot Stow



B^oj^e New yeaue



Smoke New Yeans