EPHEMERIS

Pbasai of Mood lor February

SUN.

Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the neoeeeaiy alterations : FRIDAY, MARCH 8 For North ere Porta and Westporb, also Australia (dae Sydney March 14th), per Mokoia, at 630 pm ; Late fee letters guards van esprees SATURDAY, Maroh 9 For Freemanfcle, Durb&D, and Cape (Town, per Otarama, at 6 30 pm For Northern Forts, per Moura, at 10 30 a m For Northern Porte, and Wesbpqrb, per Rotomahana, at 630 pm Late fee letters, guard's van, express MONDAY, Maroh 11 For Tasmania and Australia, due Mel > bourne March 17, also India, China, Straits j Battlement, South Africa, etc., United I Kingdom via Brindisi, also due London April 21, and Continent of Europe, per I Weatralia at 10 20 am

Commercial.

RAKAIA STOCK SALE

There was t> good attendance at the Rakata sale yesterday, and Rood competition for the various lines offered. About) 4,009 sheep, principally breeding ewes, were entered, and prices wtte obtained an under : —HtUfbred ewes, four year old 13s 8d to 15a 2d, threequ&rterbred ewes 13s 41, meiino ewea four year old 8s 9d.

AMURI EWE FAIR.

United Press Aseooiatlon—By Electric Telegraph Chbiistchcboh, Mureh 8 At the Amurl ewe fair yesterday, 54,000 sheep were entered. The attendance wag the largest yefc seen at this fixture. The condition of the efeook was not so good as m tome previous year?. All classes were m strong demand, owes particularly so, and record prices were madp. Rivalry was especially keen between the brothers Rutherford with their two tcotb halfbrsd ewes (by English Leiceater rams) from • Murray merino ewes (the Mont-rose), WO Rutherford, line of 1340 sold at gls 6d and 21s 7d averaging 21s 6i^, (Leslie Hills), Duncan Rutherford, 1075 at 21a 6d to 21s 9d averaging 21s 7|i, (a Now Zealand record and Brookdole), A W Rutherford, 632 *t 22s to 22a 9rl, and 270 at 18s 7d averaging 21a 3£-5. The Huruni afc»tion line of S 7B fetched 21a Id, glens of TYkoa7sl (offtussock) 21«3*, Afjhrfty (A Maofarlane), 700 threcquarter bred ewec at 20» 3d ; Frookdals fourtoo!h halfbred *woa fetched 23?, cix tooth 21a 6d, and five year old 16s M { St Helen's sound moMtto halfbred ewes 17a Id j foyr and six tooth ewfli 17s to 17b 7d; Lyndon, g6OO h»Hbred ewee, four year old 16s 2d, In two too* 4 * balfbrod wethers, GleiaV, of Tekoa, 14s lid to SS** 2'l; Montroß«, 14^ lid; Leslie Hil!' 14s 7<J and Hurunui J^a 9d wore the ohiVf *s»le». I« merino ewes, sound mouth, Leslie H 111 b, 16s s«^ MtPamasto., 2250, mad.> 15s 4d; Montrose J*» 3d to 14s 10! j Highfield, 9C0,14s 4d to 14s 8"; Sher wood, 13 sir m older lines Balmoral Ivso, KaiwarnvlO', Leslie Hills 12a lid, Hawks 1 wood 3i 9j, Sfc James 8s 2d and 8a 3d, Lyndon (*f?ecs) 7a, Glynnwye 9i 91, Leslie flilla 12^ lid, SO Helena 83 7d to 8s lOd, and Id merino wethers, Montroie 13s 7d were the principal a^les.

DEATH

FuitzE—On March 8, 1901, at) Bucclench, John M. Fubze, beloved husband of Hannah Farze, m his 49t^ v^ r.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Paævalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1901. Local and General.

Grain by Rail—A special train oooveying 60 trucks for Aehburton arrived from the north last evening, and on bhe return trip look nearly 60 tracks, of grain, from Tin wald and AsbburdoD, for shipment m the ' Otarama.' Frisco Mail—-Tibs Aehburtou portion of the Frisco mail cam« forward by special train from Obristoharob reaching here ab 5 p m yesterday. Seven bags m all were received, and the special, which conveyed two carriages and Tan with a few passenger*, including the Hon W RoUeaton, left) on its | journey south after ten mtiutes'delay. ' Tub Sixth Contingent—Letters from Ashbnrton troopers m the Sixth Contingent dated from Albany, !8 lh February, have reached their friends here. The men were all righb, l~ut four horses had died i&nd one or two more were sick. The Cornwall should reach the S uth African coast today or to»morrow with fine weather. It is to be presumed she will go to East London seeing tfanc the plague prevails ab Capetown. Maoeis And Ihb Census.—The Levin correspondent of the Post writes that Mr F Phillips, who is to collect the Maori census on that coas*, commenced operations last week, but after two days catwaas he secured only three Dames. The members of the Muaupoke tribe will not furnish any infor? tnation, Home of them etating that the Govern ments only wants to learn how many Maoris there are, that the Imperial troops may know how many they have got to fight, The sub enumerator is now m communication with headquarter?, asking what he has to do under the ciroatnatanofiß. How The Boebs Wbbb Dodgbd.—A good yarn comes from South Africa of an old resident m Eastern Transvaal who passed through th« enemy^s country with £200 m gold, which the Boers never eucoeeded m detecting. After spending some months on his mine out off from the world, he deter mined to say goodbye to the Boers. @o he beat £200 worth of gold into clasps and damps, and nailed them on to hia box. He daubed the whole with thick paint, and set out on bis journey Although his box was frequently searched the Boer official* nover suspected the metal claps, and the adven turer at length landed with hia treasure safe. Harvesting—Harvesting is now nearly completed m thi* oounfy and large quantities of grain aro coming into store daily, Wast Street, yesterday especially, wearing a very busy appearance with nocinroua drays from the country heavily laden. Mr Oh&Lmera is busy on his property threshing wibeafc from stock, aad Mr Perks is forging through a lot of stuff with hi* sew Rustcn-Prootor 5 feec combine. This machine is working splendidly and as it embraces throughout all the latett improvements its services should ba wall m demand during the season. Some of th« leading features of Mr Ferke' new eombioe wrathat the umia drum rues m an oil: chamber kci thus only requires oiling oape a week, and the wfrols of the machinery be|ng reversed from the old ppi&B? (or travelling purposes is a maternal advaatiga and eavea much time Whilst shifting. Mr Ferrimait ie local agenb for M««srs Bub ton, Frootor k Co., and we understand this ii the firab combine oa the new prlaoiple m the dlitrtot

Thb New Goal Fikid—We commend to the attention of gui- readers a speoial report up on he new ooaljleld now being opened up at Mount Somere, which will b*> found m snotber oolumn. f tartmng News—Mitchell and Coy,, o Buroett BBreed are taking Midget Photos by lUsh light on Saturday night at the Grown studio*—[ADVT] Thbßoyaii Visit—-The Government has ordered the Railway Department! to prepafe tree saloon carriages for the nae of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. One will be for the Auckland flection, another for Wellington, and another for the Hurunoi B'.uff. Leotwbes At she H»BPWAiir-Dr Trevor the medical officer m charge of the Hospital is delivering ieotures to the Probationary staff employed at the inetitutiou^whieh Bhould prove of gieat value to them The first lecture was piveo knt wetkr, and the second which will be illustrated by plates obtained from the local Ambulance Society will be given this afetnoon* Thb Skventh Oontingmh—Tn« names of 32 men who bava been provisionally selacttd aa members of the Seventh Contingent appear In cur advertising columns. Another 23 men are required to make up the number for South Canterbury, and applicants are re' quired to report themselves to Lieutenant Colonel Baily at Timaru at once. No men aoder Sin 7ft m height) need apply, Accountancy.—With reference to the lecture delivered yesterday by Mr W H Guadry, on accountantship, it should be mentioned that he visited Ashburton nnder the auspices of the New SSsal&nd Institute of Accountant?, m order to emphasise the advantage! of becoming a member of the institute* Tohtinb Lira Inswbanc?. —Bonus certifi cates m connection with the Tontine polioies commenced by the Nt wZealand Government Life Department some fifteen years ago and whioh expired on tri 31st December, 1900*' have now been issued to policy holders. The fund amounts to £16,753 and is divisible according to oircalars sent out to parbiolpa- Personal .—We are pleased to nee th»fe Mr E. G. Wright has euffioiently recovered from bis recent illness to be able to get about spam. He was m Aahburton this morning.—We understand that Mr John McKeague, who some few months ago was appointed South Island representative of the Bee and Farmer Jmrnal, has done so well for his company that they have taken an i office for him m the Agricultural Hall | Buildings, Dunedin, which he wilt m future make his headquarters.—Lieutenant W T Walker, who went to South Africa with the Third Contingent, and returned a short time ago, is ab present on a visit to Ashbnrbon. Fax Lambs.—We have noticed some very prime lines of fat sheep pasting through Asbburton during the past week, amongst them being a splendid draft of 2005 lambs from Mr Buckley's Ligmhor estate, the average weight of which would be well over forty pounds ; also 1950 from the Mayfield district, 1000 from Ohatmoss, 600 from Westerfield, and 700 from Wakanui. AH these lambs were consigned to Islington on account of Messrs Nicoli Bros. It speaks well for the fattening qualities of our Aehburton pastures that despite the broken weather we are experiencing our iooal graziers are able to tarn off the fat lambs m such excellent condition and m ever increas ing numbers. LECf rjßfl—Captain Dolman (senior officer), Captain Rparrow, C^ptaio GAM Buckley, and the members of the looal volunteer corps have decided to accord their patronage to I ha) two lectures, Jwbioh Lieutenant Hughea is to deliver at the Oddfellows' Hall on Tuesday apd Wednesday nevt. Wo under stand that the lecturer while at the front name into constant contaafc with Lieutenant Fred Stacker of thfs town, of whom he intends relating some interesting reminiscences* Lieutenant Hughes' daring exploits at the siege of Wepener, shou'd also be very inter eating, and judging by the interest being manif'-Bted m Ashburton it is cafe to predict fjr the gallant lieutenant a crowded bouse. Letter From Lord Roberts.—Mr H G Berrywun has shown us & letter which be received yesterday from Lord Roberts dated from the Commander m Obiof'a offioe London JTas» 2s, 1901. Being a private business oom jßUoicaHon w# regret we are not pe-mitted to publish same. Bg'; we consider it worthy of notice that on t he very day when the noble Eiri w*b bo busily occupied with bis high official duties m connection with the proclamation of the JiL'mg JEdw&rd ¥11 m excited London, m addition feo all the other 'mpoiftsofc duths oi Commander io Ohief of the Rr.'^' Wm¥ i" m* °^ war» ne f°un<i time for thiV ."fiVftte cnrreßpoDdenoe to our townsman. Mb Seddon's Htjmoub—ioT^ediately after Rev Mr Eiiot'a letter to the Prera?"* »nent Sabbath deeeor&iion was published, as was recorded m our columns recently, four Aehburton gentlemen, representing three denominations, wired to Mr Seddon their appreciation of Mr Elliot's protest; A reply came promptly to band stating that the Indian troops would be m Dunedin on the following Sunday, and the Premier trusted that suitable provision would be made for their spiritual seeds. The ironical humour of the situation was intensified by the telegram m each case being addressed to "The Bey ——" When it is known that the gentlemen referred to are respective!; identified with the clothing, commission agent's, bookßelliDg and architects' walks of life, is it any wonder, that the* gravity of these wellmeaning and usually sedate oiiizena was considerably upset. Lighting of Ashbebton,—At the last meeting of the Borough Council the subject of the Improved lighting of Aahburton was brought up, Or Davis the chairman of the lighting committee stating that after consid eration it had been decided to recommend lamps of what are known as " the Liverpool improved pattern "m place of the Globe lamp, A lebter was read from the Ashburton Gas Company to the effect that it was wil ling to indent these lamps from London, and to cable at once for them. The company Btated they wero prepared to fix incandescent lights through the town where they were not already provided m the street lampa half cost and maintenance of same to be bores by the Council. The oompany also agreed to supply gas to an additional number of lamps m the different localities applied for except at the corner of S E Belt) and Wakanui Road which they were now considering, as it would involve a considerable extra outlay.

Garden Party at Hakatere.

— - -»-~— —. The Weeleyaes of Ashburton are to be congratulated on having iuah delightful weather for their concluding garden pstrty, held ft 6 "JJakatere"' the residence of Mr and Mrs John Orr, yesterday afternoon* Ib was a truly ideal autumn day, and the beautiful grounds within each easy reach of the town, were the aoene of much animation and inno cent gaiety. For the convenience of ihose who needed restful or speedy locomotion, vehicles of various descriptions, front the comfortable four--."heeler to the übiquitoua "bike" were brought into requisition, and not a few took advantage of thii means of travelling to and from the party. Tennis, deck quoits, and cricket appeared to be the moßt populor games, but on the whole, the the committee to whom was «intrusted the matter of sports, did nob provide su<.h a varied and extensive programme as that arranged aud carried out at the garden party m D cember last. Awards dusk a few items of music were rendered by jyariojiji friends, and wer« much appreciated. Taa attendance was not very good m the earlier part of the afternoon, but from five o'clock there was a marked increase, and a goodly number were at the tea table* laid on the pretty lawn. It is expected that the funds of the circuit will be materially augmented as a result of the party, and Mr and Mrs Orr's kindness m placid? their house and gardens at the disposal of the offioiale, will be highly appreciated.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Elootrlo Telegraph—Copyright Berlin, March 6 Count yon Bo low, m the Reichstag, m reply to quest ions about the Kaiser's visit to England said :—' We will live m peace with England, but practical politic* are dependent upon reciprocity, and foreign politics will not be affected by dynastic considerations or ties of relationship.' London, March 6 The HBty-P'k'xnocfote treaty m regard te the Nicaraguan Canal has lapsed The .battleshtpt A!bem«r!e and Montague, and the first olam cruiser Drake have been Uunohed Alfred F W Sydney, who retlreu from active service m 1896, is dead Four hundred oases of small pox have occurred at Glaagow, and one hundred and fifty ißven deaths The Rev Bamuel Thorntna late Anglican Bishop of Ballarat, has accepted the living at rector of Blaokburn, Lancashire Showers of Leonid meteors were seen during the night of November 16th last at Hudson Bay. They lasted till daylight, and passed northwards of the Arctic circle As the Kaissr was driving from Ratha ; koller, at Bremen, to the railway station at Dietrich, a workman named Wetland, threw a piece of iron at him, slightly injuring the Kaiser on the cheek. Weiland is subject to epileptic fits, and gives confused answers when questioned. The Kaiser's journey was not Interrupted by the incident Melbourne, March 7 The oapital sentence on Na»h for the mur der of his wife has been commuted to im prisonment for life [In December iaat Nash, who was a baker »t Burnley, quarrelled with his wife, and shot her dead with a shot gun] The will of David Kay, of Milburn, Otago, has been lodged for probate. The personal estate m Victoria is valued at £24,323. Tee Wesieyajs Conference decided that'in future the President on official occasions should be robed like an English bishop, excepting the lawn sleeves, Stdnry, March 7 The New South Wales Cabinet came to no decision m regard to the rearrangement of portfolios, but appointed Captain Bird, late of the Canadian Australian mail service, harbourmaster tinder the Harbour Trust The lrqaest on the Sydenham railway ac cident is proceeding There it a mass of evidence regarding the condition of the line, much of it centering round a dinted rail, which was removed after the accident. Some witnesses hold that this rail caused the derailment, but experts declare the dint was made by the engine after it was derailed . Sir J Forrest, m & minute on taking over the defence forces, pays a high oompliment to their eficleney, and services m Bouth Africa and China, and confidently relies that the zaal and patriotism shown hitherto, will result m farther advancing the standard of efficiency at a Federal body Hobabt, March 7 fJM Lochead, of Manawatu, woe the second prize of £1440 m Tattersall'a sweep on the Australian Gup. The oer&ifioate of the captain of the steamer Tamho has been suspended for three months, and the second mates for one month, m connection with the reaent grounding of the steamer on Schouten Island during a fog.

Scene in the Austrian Parlia ment.

VipwA, March 6 A stormy scene has occurred m the \ Austrian Eeichsrath. Herr FresqJ, a member of the Radical Czech party, when forbidden to speak, approached the President's Bt'tit, and Bnatched from his hand and destroyed a document he was reading A group of the Pangernmn party beat BYesq', but the Oaecb* rescued him after a free fight.

A Brutal Attempt at Murder

STARTING CHILDREN TO DEATH

United Proßis Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright London March 6 Mr Justice D*y, at Bristol sentenced David Allptirt, an insurance agent, and formerly a lay evangelist, to fT'een years' penal servitude, an<f Louise (Jhappel to five years' poo^l Borvitude, for attempting to murder AHport's children, evidence disclosed an attempt to starve the to death, with the object of drawing" the »'^ UI»»«c money on their lives'

THE ROYAL VISIT.

United Preaa Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

Melbourne, March 7 A vote of seventeen thousaad pounds has been set) apart) for the illuminations at the celebrations. It is estimated the deoorations of the streets, apart from the building*, will cost ten thousand pounds. The various nations are undertaking to decorate the street blocks. Wellikoton, March 7 It is probable that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, after leaving Dunedin, on the conclusion of their visit to the four centres, will call m at the West Coast Sounds.

THE DEATH ON THE TALUNE.

United Presii Aaßo<3iation—by Eieotrln Telegraph—Copyright

Sypnjby, March 7 A stewardess and a fireman of the Tal. one are coming to Sydney by the Mokoia to giro evidence m connection with the Oonwaycasei As the Talane also arrives In Melbourne on Sunday, probably some more of the crew will come over and give evidence. The woman, Smith, who is m casfccdy, is the wife of Percy Smith, residing m the vicinity of Dnuedln, She made a statement to the police denying the charge. She also told them she was going to travel round the world with a lady and gentleman, whose little daughter she rescued from drowning. It Is believed, however, that since she cams to Sydney' she sought employment as a barmaid. Tfce police are m possession of infor mation from New Zealand which alleges the following facts:—Percy Smith owned Qonway £200, for which the latter held a promissory note, and the deeds of Smith's property, Oonway and Mrs Smith left Dunedin about the end of January, and shortly after went to Ohrlstchmoh. He was at a watering p 1 ace with a woman. J£e had the promissory notes and deeds of Smith's property with him, He had a drink and became unconscious. When he recovered he found the documents gone. He reported the matter to the police, but the aocumesta were not recovered. This hftppsneji qn the .^alune. on which Mrs Smith was' a saloon passenger. During the voyage Cpnway and Mrs Smith were frequently ««en sit ting together, and were on the hatchway shortly before Oonway was taken ill. A Ohrlatchuzoh chemist, who Is en route to Sydney to give evidence, was given a description of Mre Smith, and deolarrs that it tallies with thac of a woman to whom he sold to lots of strychnine m February. Oonway died there was no sns« piclon that anything was wrong. The body was sewn np but ttie captain decided to bring it oh to Sydney. An'officer took possession and sealed ap -Smith's belongings. *, a« ■_ u CHl« sK>Himciß, March 3 Mr Smith, husband of Mm Binith, arreited In connection with the Con way ca«a is m ,(Jhristoharch on his way to Sydney. He desfoi tfoe Bt&ttmeßb p ft bied from Sydaey

that he owed Cor.way £200, and, cr that Conway held a promissory note and deeds of his house*

South Africa.

United Press Association—By Electric (Telegraph— Cop right

Londoh, March 6 In the House of Commons, the Right Hon WBt John Brodrick, Secretary for War, replying to a question with reference to ihe reported peace negotiations with Louis Botha said »—" I have no statement to make on the subject*' Private Belters, a Queenslandcr, hai died of enteric at Bloemfontein The recruiting of Yeomanry for South Africa ia completed Da Wet it eaattering his followers into groups. Six columns are pursuing them Three hundred Boon attacked Aberdeen 1" on the 6th inst, but were repulsed alter fou hours' fighting, There were no British casualties Do Wet's esoape at LHliefontein was due to a miscalculation, resulting m the column under Colonel the Hon J H Byng operating m that neighbourhood being tem porarily but peremptorily ordered to proceed to Kennelfonfcein. This was the psychologi cal moment of the whole pursuit. De Wet instantly seized the opportunity, and crossed the river m Colonel Byng's absence De Wet lost four thousand horses during hie invasion of Gape Colony, but Hertz^, when he joined him, brought a splendid supply , It is telfc that greater initiative ought to be allowed British commanders on the spot, inasmuch »s it is impossible to wire orders. De Wet usually outpaces the best column by five miles a da}, and unless the commander strikes his rearguard immediately ii> is im possible to maintain the contact

THE PLAGUE

A REFRACTORY PATIENT AT PERTH

SCARE IN MELBOURNE

United Press ABBociatio»—By Etectrio Telegraph—Copyright Perth, March 7 The Chinese plague patient gave a lot of trouble. He refused all efforts m remove him from the premises, which were quaran tined. He subsequently sf cured atomohawk, < broke & window, and e«caped» but was' recaptured. Melbourne, March *l Consternation was caused by the report; that % woman had been discovered m FitZroy suffering from plague. The doctor* state the case to be one of blood poisoning, but it is being carefully watched.

The Lords on Army Reform

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyr i gh t

London, March 6 The Ear! of Notthbrook declare'! that according to the Order m Council the responsibility for the condition of the auxiliary forces rested upon the Adjutant General, who was responsible to the Secre tary for War. Earl Speroer said the Commandcr-in Chief's duty was to give advice to the Secretary for War. If the Secretary rofased to accept it, the responsibility rested with him. Lord Roaebery Bftid all mistakes and frictions originated m nominally retaining the Commander m Chief m c, hierarchy while irenllv reducing him to a pale shadow. The only §»win Lord Wolseley's speech was the recommendation of >nap, eal to the public. The limes, commenting on the debate, considers Ihe real reform will be found m decentralisation downwards. In the House of Lords Lord Rosebery suggested that a Secret Parliamentary Com* mltteo should systematically consult repre* tentatives at the War Office and the A«n.iFr«aty with a view to testing the efficiency- of-4-ba foraa*— ;:...'"

NEW COAL SEAM AT MOUNT SOMERS

(By oar Speoial Reporter.)

The importance of the recent find of a new coal deposit; at Mount Somers, warranted sending up a speoial repre sentative of this paper to obtain and place before oar readers some particulars of the new coal area and its prospects. On Wednesday moraSng pleasant sunshine, tempered by the slightest wind, made the drive from the Mount soa>ers Hotel m the direction of the coal find an excureton. A shoeb distance from the township we passed the lime kilns, where at an early hour Mr Beckley, the new proprietor,waa seen at work. Seeing the great quantity of raw material stirroimding his works, under energetic and capable manage ment this industry should prove a great success. The Mount Somers atone quarry is on the northern aide of the main road, and forms the first junction of the tramway line extending from the coal pits to the township. Some little distance past the quarry the tram line makes a detour, which appears to bo somewhat unnecessary, as it musb entail some heayy work on the contractors who have the conveyance of coal and other material. It strikes the casual observer that a saving m the cost of forming the otiginai Hae and m the oosb of haulage now could have resulted if the tramway had been formed nearer tne main road, crossing Woolahed Greek, and thus a natural fall all the way from the coal pits to the township would have been obtained. Operations at the quarry appeared to be rather q Jet, but with such excellent stone m unlimited quantity a groat future may be anticipated for the district when the quality of thit Mount Somers stone is hotter known. An hour's drive of 8 miles from the township brings us to the present cual pit, which lies a faw hundred yards from the main road leading to the Stour, Olent Hills, and Mount Possession estates, and before climbing the hill to the new find we had a brief inspection of the workings from which the Company now obtains: Its coal supplies. Fifteen trucks were wait ing on the two feet tram line, each capable of carrying one and two tons per trip to Mount Somers, and the cost, 4s 6d per ton, to the Company for an 8 mile run by horoe haulage appears veiry expensive* Until within the last two years'operations at; the mine were confined to quarrying : out the coal from the face after the surface soil and olay had been removed, and this system we understand had previously been carried oat for about 30 years. But lately driving operations have been undertaken,; and three separate chambers running north, east, and west from the main entrance are now supplying a nice | clean coal showing & good face and very little stone. The drives extend back an far t>s 4| ohaios, and excellent ventilation la pro vided by the simple arrangement! made to carry air into e»oh drive. The oo»l itself {a lignite) is easily worked, and all the drives are dry with one exception, Very little timbering ia necessary, an ocoational prop sufficing to eaapre Bftfety to the workers, who Kb present number seven, all told; and by them op to 25 tons per dtty ia the output, bub with proper appliances and a better system of oonvey*noe to the railway line the output could be irjorenued to 500 tons a day, and the continuation of the railway from Mount Somere ihoald yield % profitable return, considering the traffic ia lime, stone, and cdal and wool from this productive looaiiby. After leaving the old mine we proceed m the dlreobion of the new find, Ind to reach this a private double Ime of tram ruilsi'&sbpen formed up the steep face ] of tba hill, branching tiff at right angles from the County Council tramway at » point aboub a quarter of a mile below the present) terminus of the coalpit. A stiff pull up the hill of 35 chains, with a grade of one foot In i] Z bring! u> to tb» tcP» wS*er« ft four fwl 1

drum set m concrete has been constructed, round which an ord'ees wire tope works on 1 the traction principle,the weightof the loaded | trucks on their downward ran bringing ihe empty one to the tops We are here delighted by an extensive and excellent view of : the plains, and the course of the river winding from Mt. Possession past the stour and Messrs Dowling's and Peaches estates. Whllsb admiring this a refreshing stream ii heard gargling m the distance, aod very promptly the thirst induced by the heavy ollmb is relieved. Prom this hilltop the aompany have formed a siogle tramway line to the locality of the new find. The rails of the Hoe are now being placed Id position, and a fortnight should see the line completed to the drive, which lies m a north east) direction. This lino declines m its course round the ranges ft distance of about 30 chains or nearly a mile from the doable line of rails, and we shortly corns iv view of I the drive ab the new find, which shows various prospecting holes dotted ab intervals pound the mouth of the m*in drive. The new discovery, which was made aboab twelve months ago by a son of Mr H&rris, whilst on a ehooting expedition, i« boated on Mr McClymont's property ia the ranges towards the back of the -mountain (Mt, Snmern), and facing the south east, with Woolshed creek running some distance below The main prospecting driva, 20 feet by 4 feet at the month running westward narrows In * fe'T yards to a much smaller space; but enough surface ia exposed to give one an idea of the excellent promise of the new Seld. Tbecoal itself appears rather more brilliant than the ordinary lignite, breaks down hard and clean, and appears absolutely free from itone. Although the main drive is free from water, another prospecting drive of about 20 feet, inserted lower down the hill, is pretty welt filled with water, but the quality of this ie uot of ?uch value as the main one visited. So far as the supply from the main tunnel is con cerned, this should prove very lasting, as the coal is outcropping m all directions surround ing and towards a range sf » couple of thousand yards* Goal is obtainable within a few inches of the surface of the land, by only lifting the tussocks, and the further m that driving is carried the coal oontinues to improve. Although the main drive under notice had beeu inserted nearly twelve months ago, the deposit wheeled oub from the entrance remains m first-class condition, and whilst about an inch of the surface haß been orumbled by the effects of euu and ralu, a removal of this small covering shows the under portion has retained its former satis factory condition! The most attractive features of the new coal find are the absence of stone, and the coal being good and clear right to the surface, while the supply so tar as ab presf nt. ascertained is enormous. ,Our time being up, we bid Mr Gibson, the energetic and capable manager, farewell. A heavy rain storm greeted oar representa tive, who bicycled the 35 miles to Ashhurton m heavy rain, which proved no easy task, laden as he was with full samples of coal m each pocket. A rough test subsequently made by ovr representative m pipes over a Bunsen burner, of equal samples of Weetporfc gas co*l and the Mound Somers new mineral, resulted most satisfactorily for the latter. The local coal apparently showed more moieture.but on the other hand the former had been for some time under cover. Poteibly the apparent fact of additional moisture m the Mount Somers sample accounted for its being one minute longer m showing gae, bub m sia minutes from the time of its being placed over the Bansen burner the gas began to burn and for seven minutes ib showed a bright, clear, strong light, and quite free from smoke, whereas the Wastporb sample alongside smoked freely. The test, rough at it may be called, revealed undoubtedly the presence of really good g&e of apparently excellent lighting quality, and the expert who supervised operations exprestod great satisfaction with the tesb. On opening uf ths sample vessels after the experiment, the local coal had burnt to a brittle ash, whereat the Weetporb sample had formed into a •olid o ke uf tar and coke, and from this fact it appears that from Mount Somers coal very little tar or ooke wou'd be procured, but of course it must be borne m mind that the local coal shows distinct signs of improve; ment'the further m the drive is taken. Th? following are the analysesi of th» Mount Somera cosl, made by Mr Goodlet, of Dunedin, and obtained by ths Manager recently : — I—Brownl —Brown povder when ground up, 2—White ash when burnt. Mount Kaitem- New- Somerss. gata» casbie Water ... ... 16,8 18 8 3.16 Aah .. ... 4 2 5.6 316 Coke ... .- 42.81 48.49 62.65 Sulphur ... .„ .36 .76 .26 Vola- j Hyde-Carbon "> „ - 32.17 34.85 tiles } Fixed Carbon j oo'° 45 43 59 49 These figures serve to prove that the company has a valuable property, and as the total distance from the present County Council tramway to the old pits is under 1$ miles, the proprietors should very shortly have this new coal on the market, and it appears that the proprietors have, m prose cuting their operations, an immensely profit able future before them, which should also ultimately prove of great value not only to the Mounfc Somers dlstrieb, but the whola of the Ashbutton County, for no coal of soon a highly gtieons nature hM hitherto been found on this side of the ranges, or nearer than the West Coast coal measures;

THE LATEST

SOUTH AFBIOA

SEf ERE ;WEATHER JN THE TRANSVAAL

FOOD CONVOYS DELAYED

KITCHENER'S PLANS

SWEEPING THE ORANGE RIVER

LITOHENBFRG BESIEGED BY BE LA REV

United Preas Association—-By ffiieotrle Teleg Mph—Copyright

( eceivrd Wakapa»ka M^rch |, 922 am This Office 968 amj " ' London, March 7 General French is experiencing ! fearful weather, finding it dif&culb to | forward convoys, and the troops are being largely delayed for want of | forage. i Lord Kitchener reports that De La I Rey is attacking the Lichteobarg garrison, numbering 500, who are resisting, and fightiag continues. Reinforcements are being sent. Great concentration columns are proceeding toSpringfontein, preparatory to Lord KitchecSJf sleeping tht| Orange River Oolony.

ENROLMENT OF MORE TROOPS

MR ROSE INNBS.

London, March 7 Eight companies of infantry and cycliat volunteers are enrolling m the British service for South Africa. A regiment of Metropolitan Mounted i Riflei arc being enrolled among the London yionteeri, Mr Rose Innes, Attorney-General of Cape Colony, baa acciipted the position of Chief Justice of the Traoa vaai.

Received Wakapiiaka March 3, 10 50 ft m, This offina 12 10 p m i ". London, March 7 Seven hundred of Kruiteioger's commando, with two guns, occupied, £earaton f overpowering the garrison numbering 75. . The Boers m Pretoria state that the tefcdert art willing to surrender wlfeb ft

balk of the commandos if assured of persona] amnesty and assisted to a fresh alart aud all rebels««re pardoned,

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

THE PARTITION OF CHINA,

RUSSIA'S SHABK.

JAPAN IS m THE SWIM.

BRITON'S ADVICB.

United Press Aasoaiatioo—By Bltoiiit Telegraph— Copyright

Rtcelved Wakspu»kfc M»r 8, 930 m, This Office 1080 am LoNDoir, March 7 The Standard state* that the Man char ia convention between. Bnsaia and China baa been finally signed at Madden, and ia thus outside lira cognisance of Ministers of the Powtn at Pekin. The Morning Pott states that Basil* has annexed Kinchaa, 130 miles sonth west of Niachwang, and Claimed all th« industrial concessions m Mongolia M far as Kaahgar m Tarkestao, and insists on building the Mantawria Mid Pekin railway. The fact of Japa* having mentioned that she reqai^i equivalent concessions to those grartwl to Bosnia, cotjpled with the withdrawal of troops from C biaa is interpreted aa meaning that she is resetting tao province o! Fokien, Britain adtfaed Obina to defer the ratification of the Mancbnrian agreement and to eonislt fek« Powers.

The Scene in the Commons

Uoltad Press Aisooifttion— By Kltotrio Telegraph

Received W*k»pu&k« Msrch 8, 10 5 a m This office 10 49 • m Lonuoh, March 7 In the Hoose of Gommons, Mr John E Redmond oomplainod that doriig the scene the previous night, some of the members were suspended and ejected m error. The Speaker said that if any member desired to complain he most do to m writing. The discossion then would be on a matter of privilege for «neb members concerned. Mr Redmond intimated hit desire to widen discussion vhen opened. Mr Balfonr said what Mr Redmond desires is discussion en what occurred, and I suppose means to prevent Iti recurrence, (Ministerial cheers). Later on Mr Balfoar gave notice to amend the Standing Order* to provide thae members whose conduct was soeh as to involve forcible removal should be suspended for the remainder of tb« session,

The Plague.

. It ~ - United "Pent Allocation—By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright Received Wafcapnaka M»rch 8,1046 am This Office 11 25 a m Sybuey, March t Mr James Bray, a well knows naturalist, after a careful study of parasites, warns the pa blip of the necessity of destroying mice as well ae' rats a 8 a precaution against plague, _ - - Mbubgbbnp, March I Amongst other plague precaution! renewed efforts are being made to destroy rate. It ia positively stated that the sus pected case at Fitzroy ii not plague.

A State Owned Cable.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph . Avoklamd, March 8 Speaking at Teawawufcu Hon J G Ward eaid the preeant condition of affairs with frt> gard to cable rates between New Zealand and Australia was unß»tii!aafcory; Hp thought New iSealand ahouid lay fit ova. cable. He had fortn«ly asked the OabU Company if they would sell their cable*, and thought the matter had been remitted t« th« London Board, bub he had heard no more •# ib. The Premier was with him m the t!#w, He held that the state should own ite own cable, and ha trwßted that tot majority cf the members of Parliament would also agnt so that this rotseh seeded reform wo«Id ■•! be a thing of discussion, bat an established fact. With a state owned cable the rates could ba considerably reduced

Sporting.

WANGANOI JOOKET GLU».

CJnUed PreßS AssooUtion—By Elcotrla Tel«gr»ph—Copyright Vf'AKoA»rii t Maroh ? I'kkpidbnth!—Heinpie l«j divid»nc! If Ift Fiesx Hack—Waterford 1; dividend, M 5s FLTINO-Tbe Bhanoon 1; dlTidsnd M 111

SECOND DAY

! Wax«anoi, March ? Rain fell up to time of starting, but Ihtrt are signs of clearing, Ketnlfci •— : Autumn Handicap—The Needle 1, Bow Fide 2, Gipsy Qaeen 3. Good no*. W«a by half * length. Scmtohed—duwn't Gaud. Div?dend-£l3 2* " Second Huedlbs—Moif« I, Trobadonr 2, Ngapuhi 3. Won easily at finish after » good race throughout. All started. DM* Send—£fi Is Hac« Hurdles — Haydn S, HnUns 1. Sndor 3. All started, Spltndld BoUh. iby half »length. Dividend—£4 lfa BxAKBS-SkobeloS 1, Nobility 2, Ideal It A gnat raoe, won by a few Inches.i; m good third. Fashion w»s eoratohed. Dtridwd— S3 19s

V.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

United Press Awooiation—By Eleofctlo i Telegraph '•• MbIiBOCRnb, March 7 " The third day of the Victorian Radif Club's Autumn meeting was held to-day. Champion Siakes—Lk Carabine 1 1 Ad vanee 2; Clean Sweep, 3

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

United Press Association—By Bieotrio Telegraph—<Jopyrighi

HAwwA t M»roh 8 James Linn (72) an old settler died m&t decly at Normanby I»sb evening* Dooeaind was a Crimean veteraa, and al«o took part la tihe Maori War. . ■■ A fire occurod at Minninhlek't ■iabiw last night), bat was gob under after two hoof* fighting during whioh fevro firemen fainted* Tho Gantcrbary distnot gr»na ladgi 'oS Draida opened their atfodal sesifoii Mere last night. Fifteen eat of eighteen fodgei wet* represented. The businesa done laai nigbi was tho adoption of the usual report*. For lack of information there waa no recommend. ation re female lodges. The proposal to take a plebiscite on the question of adopting a system of funerailevjof fixpenoeiteriaftttber was approv?d, a bare nißjirity to e*rry. 4 Roya! Arch Chapter was iogituted and visitors were entertained at supper. Wkllinotok, Mtroh 8 The pefenoe Depsrtmen* hai reoeived ft sufficient number %f applhJaoCi M tt* Serenbh Oatlogesk. ( •.': iff

f E APBBUBION GtLriBUA : FBtflAY, MAKCH 6, »03



'all moon iaat quarter kpogee ?ew moon 'I nit quarter 'erigee

4 12 9 19 26 21

3 0 am 6 42 i am 7 0 pm 215 p m 6 Bpm 2 O^pm



Dabe March it »* »» It

5 6 8 9

• •

Rices 5 43 5 49 5 50 5 51 5 52

Seta 6 26 6 34 6 52 6 31 6 29



0035 AKO BRUISES $ PZOgSXT HEALED Chamberlain* Pain Balm applied to a out, braise, burn, ao&ld, or like injury will instantly allay the pain, and will heal the ' parts m less time than any other treatment Unless the injury is very severe i*j will not leave a aoar. Pain Balm also cures rhetl matiam, sprain?, swellings and lameness For sale by Aehburton Drug Company mEOTEEB Wanted— Pot the wearing of X two thousand pairs of Boots. Apply o J Mellob, iTaaored gtireiefe Smoke New Yeaiis



. HE ASHBUUTON TRAIN SERVICES, i Trains cave Ashbnrton daily for— OHRISTUHURCH—at 7.20 am, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TIM ARU—afc 1055 am,350 pm DUNfeDlN—at 12.54 pm (express) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 p m Trains arrive daily afc Aahbnrton from— OHRISTOHUROH—at 10.45 %m, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,255 pm DUNBDIN—at 6.57 p m (express) SPRINGBURN-at 9.45 a m



RANGES. RANGES. Scott' 6 Celebrated • ATLAS' F»nges Barntogham'a • CHAMPION' Rangts Shackioek's 'ORIOH ' Eangee, XLL OK VI*W AS JOHN OBR & GO'S. LOWEST POSSIBLE FKIOES. PRIZE DUOKS. FOR SALE — Panbrad White Peklo Diitike, from fk»t prize ■book, 6s «aob. Apply HC* B%toW£iux, AibbettOD 3 219



MOUNT SOMBBB HOTEL, MOUNT SOMEBS. THOMAS WEST—PROPBIETOR {Latk of Hokobata Hotel) DESIRES to intimate to Oommercia Representatives and the Travelling Pnbiio that she now additions to this Hotel are now complete, acid good accommodation use be relied upon. ALBS, WISES, FPIBITS Etc from the Beet Cellars. AMPLE BTABLING ACCOMODATION AND GRASS PADDOCKS. "^Elahdai-e ooAiTua, ltdT A SAVING OF 25 PER CfINT ON YOUR COAL BILL. WE have appointed MR JAMES ELLIOTT. Goal Merchant, Aih tmrtoa, Agent for the couaty, "who wi Buppl? Customers m large or small quantitie" '"• ' C-ii; ' -.mp»":y U« now opened two '<■: >':' c m» wr>rke<) >.-t ** diutanoe of 30 feet ani £5 Fe»-t, the (hioknebs being 6| feet &nd 6 feet, aud ia the beat produced on the Kaitern seaboard. It is an excellent Steam Of>*l, onrivulled {or Bakers, and a good r:-.fm; pMo Coal, burning with a fl-tme, dr<eh jj;.*, «psirkle, rtv« Ifftvee » white atth. I? i«. hntb Cheap end Excellent, N.'vrcasl'f. Wfstporb and Moaut Somern Ct»»l a'w»y« fo Wrook. Frewnoa .tn-! Bukf i of all kind*. J;.M"-¥" ! I? TT, COAL MB&OHASTT, AgBBURION



SMOF.E ONLY ■ NK^'. VENUS A TOBACCO. KZ- CLOTHING FACTORY. WE have jast concluded oar HALF-YEARLY STOCKTAKING and have thrown oat a aamber of odd linesj which we fiave msrked at prices that will effect a speedy clearance. -=SEE THEM AT DOOK.=i MEK'S HABD AFD SOFT HATS AT Is EACH. MEN'S fcOFT SHIRTS. A lABGE TABIEIY OF TIES, ALL BEDUCED/i'O 6d& Is ' Men's Leather Shoes 6s 6d, Men's Kid Shoes 10a 6d Women'a Oanvaß Shoes 3s $d, Children's 2« 6d Men's Tan Shoes 6s 6d, Men's Tan Boots 15a. ——:o: K.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY-



AHEAD OF THEM ALL. ALL PRACTICAL AND EXFJtfKJKNOED RIDEKS HAY THEIR FAVOBITES.I They «rfl the hrn% thai money can bay i They are the cheapest m the long run They are thoroughly ap to'date Thpy are good, honest mßcbinei PStO!:-- $Hl. OaII and irepect for yoarself k W-:- ».'tl i:;v;r*~->ct:-*f! tf< pir.a^e and euit yon» OATFS, LOWRY AN S CO., Zealandift Cycle Works, BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON. WILLIAM PATCHING, EAST k BUBK£IT STREETS, ABHBURTON r ""* TABPAULINB, - GREEN STACK & DBAY COYEBS, STACK COVERS, well roped", at, 87s ofi Mf'KiniX AND 'JUHNKR.