THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

I Trains cave Aehburtoa daily for— OHRISTOHUROH—at. 7.20 am, 11 am 3.15 p in, 7 5 p m (oxpreßs) TIMARU—at 10.55 am,350 pm DUNEDIN—at 12 54 p m (express) SPRINGBURN-afe 4.25 p m

Trains arrive daily at Asbburton from— CHKISTOHUROH—at 10.45 sm, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,255 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (express) SPRINGBI/RN-at 9.45 a m

EPHEMERIS

Phaunn nf Mnnn tar fPaYirnnrv

BUN.

Mail Notices.

Mails eloie for the following pkfles as under, iubj«et to the necessary alteration* • MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 For Northern Forts and Weetport, per Tarawera, 6 30 p m TUESDAY, February 12 For Northern Ports, Wesfcporb, and Wesi Coast, per Botomahaoa, at 630 pm

Commercial.

HATEJ.OCK STREEl 1 MART

There was a good attendance at Mr Henry Stephecson's weekly sale on Saturday. There was a imedmtn yarding of pigs, for which fair prices were obtained. Weanen 6s to 13» t f»t pigs £1 18s 6d to £2; poultry, (small entry}; fowls 2s to 2s 6d per pair; ducks 39 per pair ; potatoes (new) 3I per tb ; chlokwheat 6s to 7s per sack ; onione |d per Ib 1 apples 2s 6d to 3s per case (small). There wi\* a large eacry of furniture and sundries, whtoh sold at satisfactory prices. On Thursday last Mr Btephensoo held a clearing sale of household furniture on acoouufi of Mr R J Henry, which was largely attended, and the prices obtained were satisfactory to the seller.

Weixikgxgn, February 11 The Department of Agriculture ha* re ceived the following from the Agent-General, dated London, 9th ■ —Average price choicest butter 108s, is m good demand, chicly for Scotland and North of England. There is 00 alteration m the ohpeae market since last week. Cocksfoot, market unsatisfactory, 34s

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1901.

A letter which appears m our cor respondence coiumna refers to a matter which has been commented on i y the public of Ashbarton for a much longer time than our correspondent ' Dis gusted Bandsman' seems to think. We may tell him that there has long bren an idea prevalent that the Ash burton Bund should be m a tnach better position than it has occupied for years, bufc this result has generally been attributed to the attitude of the Band itself. Our correspondent complains that the public m Ashburtou do not support the Band ia the Bfirao manner as they do m Wellington, Oarnuru, and other places. This is, oo doabt, true, but he overlooks the important fact that the Bands m those localities keep m touch with the public, and do not confine themselves to practising m their rooms, unless they can get a higher price for going out than a neighbouring band, charges. Wo have often heard people regretting tint the Ashburton Band does not follow the custom of other bauds-, and endeavour to keep itaelf b«fore the public m every possible way Those bunds embrace every opportunity of briuging them* ■elves before the public by playing gratuitously, or nearly so, on occasions when it is clear that funds cannot be available to pay for the luxury. They rely more upon public subscription than upon payment for sp c"-l ser vices, and as their action secures them the good-will of everybody, they have no difficulty m obtaining funds sufficient to carry on with. We ven ture to say that if the Ashbnrton Band was conducted on somewhat similar lines the people of this town and conn try would better realise the advantage of having a good band at their public gatherings; and although the band might not get so much for one appear ance, as is charged now, the engage ments would be more numerous. More over, it is certain that under such a condition of thiogs few persons m Ash burton, who coald afford to contribute t assistance to the band for socb special requirements as instruments and uni forms, would decline to do so, The members of the band must recognise the existence of something that might be altered when they see tbe Burnham Band so often at oar public gatherings. There is no use complaining that the local one should be supported, when it is nearly always a simple matter of finance, We fear the action of the Asbburton institution has given rise to a belief that.its members think jt should be a money-making concern, »nd they should not turn out unless for some thing worth dividing. If the insti tution is to be made successful m the future s it will have to be conducted on different lines, and we hope its mem bers will realise this fact, for a good and popular band is something to be desired m every town.

Local and General.

TELBfBAPHic—To-dajr (Mond»y) ih« tele- graph offioea m Victoria will be open from 8.30 to 10 am, and from 6to 7pm. ! Chahleys AtoklnCoubt—ln bb action arising out of the production of Charley's Auat, it transpired that the prcfita on the original run had been no less tuan £100,000, PKRSONAL.—Mr O J Harper, who has been ycwell for aome daje past, had sufficiently TOOfrared to be able to attend today's monthly pieetjL&g fif the Oounty Oounoil. Mr B G Wngbt is also t-a jpv^l d and was Dot able to Mobb BjS5*P y«* s^B fiwarar. -~ Two iboaiand lour biT^dred crossbred wetberi (Bomney)oame to Aeh>ton on Saturday tot Mesart Rhodea trmtess Irom ! h» «? r6b l 8"" laud by boat to Lyitelton. The et? 6"* aea large *ad m lorword condition* They »?e .? be g/aaod st Cbatmose. Borough School Ixotbsion — The, Secretary of the AehbuHon Boroagh School, Mr €. J» Sbychs, informs ua that tha rpjlway escnr^on for the Borough School pupils, which was put off from the i I4ch instant because the railway depart ment wanted the carriages for another' purpose, has now been fixed for the 28 oh Itwtant.

Waimate Races- Nominations for the Waimate ruces close oa Wednesday next)

Not m His Line—The Hon T V Duncan (tays the ftgmontt Poet) declined the proffered honour of a banquet m Stratford on Monday evening. It was * not m his line. 9

BtJL&BSTING THB TaOO?S In DUNEBIN — Tbe Mayor ofDunedin.Mr Chishnlir, pubHo^y thacks tbe citizens who so generously threw open the doors and welcomed to their homes and hearths tbe Ircftrial tn ops, end says the scheme uras a triumphant success.

A Disastboits Hailstorm—According to information received by the Oamaru Mail, £1000 will cot cover the losses incurred by two well known farmers, whose sPoMori* adjoin, between Duntroon and Bortou's, aa a result of the recent hailstorm ia that district.

Edwahd I and VII —A correspondent of the Otsgo Daily limes writes:—"No Edward has evjr before reigned over Great Britain. How can this, then, bo the seventh Edwarc? Six Edwards have reigned over England sb six Jameses reigned over Scotland. When a James onma io reign over the whole of Great Britain he was called James I—the first James to be King of Britain. In the same way the preßett King, if hie name is to bo Edward, should be called Edward I of Britain.

IMN3BSB OP SIR ChaELSS WABBBN—Sir Charles Warren .was recently «eized with a sodden Illness while distributing the prizes at Wem Grammar School, Salop, of which he is an'old boy.' He had hardly given away more than half-a dtz^noc the awards when ha was seized with a fainting fit, and had to be carried irom the platform. Medical aid was quickly lsummonad, after which Sir Gharlee rallied.

Art Tbeaßckes Fob Edinburgh.—Edin burgh people will be glad to know that all legsl difficulties attending the bequest of Turner drawings left to tbe Scottish nation by the )&4e Mr Henry Vaughan, Regent's Park, London, have now been smoothed away and the Naiional Gallery m tbe oourse of a few days will have m their. poßeeseion some thirty eight Turner drawings m water colour, which have been valued at £10,000.

Mobb Light on a Forooxwsn Tragedy— Ib is expected that fresh light will be thrown loon on the mysterious death of a man nams4 Sullivan, wh'th oocured n«ar Waimate aboub six years ago. The facts are such that they cannot be divulged at present, but.there is n likelihood that the case,.which has now bees almost forgotten, except by a fow people who are directly interested will be again brought before th« Courts In the near future.

Outside Shopping.—lt may be interest ing to persons who are m the habit of going away from Ashbnrton to buy their goods, to learn that a well known former recently admitted to Mr John Wilson of this town, after buying aome wall papers m bis shop, that he had tried several shops m Ohriit ohurcb, but was unable to get such «ood value for hie money, or such #> choice as hs had at Mr Wilson'a establishment Similar remarks have from time to tim* been made ■about local houses m other linen of business.

Livjb Stock In Nitw South Waiks —The stock m New South Wales on January Ist was as follows :-»Horses44s,SoO, a decrease of 65Q0 ; cattle 1,316,000, an ioere&ge of 13, 500 ; sheep, 39, 938,000, An increase of 3,724, 600 compared with the previous year. Tbe decrease of boreea is principally due to the export for army parpoees.and the inoreaeea of cattle and sheep to the better Eoaeon and improved prices. Tbe lambing returns show the lambs cent to market last year numbered 8.738,000, averaging 67i!b, agaiaat 5,717,000, averaging 49|lb ia 1899, though tag inoresse m breeding ewes wa* only 10 per cent*

1.0. G.T.—A meeting of the Pride of Wakanui Lodge, No 32, was held on Tues day, February 5, at 8 p.m. for the pnrpo-e of electing new officers for the ensuing ysar, which resulted as follow*:— Bro R J Corbetti, Lodge Deputy ; Sis A Brown, Electoral Deputy; Sin A Daltoo, regular representative, and Bro F Buttcrick, *lter nativc-j to the Grand Lodge session. Last quarter's officers wero requested to remain m office during the er suing term. Circulars wera reoelved from tt c Supreme Lodge te 1 International Missions,' and from Bro E H Taylor re ' The New Zealand Goo 3 Templar watohword,' which wero held over until next meeting. It was decided to >esutne the usual meetings on Tuesday, Murch 5, when a social is to be held. The Lodge was closed m the usual way by Bro Frampton, C.T.

WILLOWBY.

From our own Correspondent

Harvesting operations proceed but) eiowly m this districtl, Tha heavy storme of the past) month have hid several of the best crops, and the unsettled efc&te of the weather will tsttd to make harvest very late. Not much stacking h»a been done as yot,. Several of the farmers intend to thresh from the 8 took. Mr E Horsey I i"lios has two large paddocks of oats thrnthed out, Messrs Rayman Bros, are out with their threshing plant', and should have a very successful •easoo

Although the contractor*, Rantia and Son, of Methven, have not completed tbe altera tions to the churcV>, the opening services were conducted oa Sunday last by toe Rev, Morley D.D. of Chrietohurch. At) • both morning aad evening services there were large congregation*. In the afternoon a memorial service to our late Queen wai held. Revs? R Harding and Dr Morley addressed the meeting. The choir andar the leader ship of Mr J Wheeler aang the anthem, 1 Blessed are the Dead.' Mr T Wheeler presided ate the organ. Oa th« following Wednesday a social In aid of the eharch funds w»i held m the schoolroom. Rev J D Jory occupied the ohsir. IntorestiDgspeeohe* were delivered by tho Revs, R"Harding' (from England), and T W«o- Mist Edfia Harding, who it Ira veiling with hsr father save a solo, a small portion of the choir rendered a few anthems, Miss FraMey pre siding at tbe organ. Refreshments were handed Around by the ladies, assisted by gentleman friends, and the meeting closed

Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph

London, feb 8 The newspapers express delight that the Royal visit to Australasia b&s not been abandoned After leaving Canada the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will probably i visit President McKintay The Duke of Cornwall and York will be created Prince of Wales after his visit to the colonies The Times eulogisPß the King's Round judgment and delicate tact m rfserving the title until it can be be stowed m recognition of the accomplish ment of a great public and Imperial doty. Soch acknowledgment wili indicate the King's desire to strengthen, the links binding the colonies to the Motherland

The following telegram has be«n sent by the Hon. R. J f Seddon fco all newspapers :— The Premier, throngh His SxoflHeßoy. the Governor, has received the following com munication from the Beoret»ry of State i~ "Hb Majesty the King haa decided that the visit of their Royal Highnesws the Duke and Ducbees of Cornwall and York to Australia for the opening of the first aeesion of the Federal Parliament should take place. The deiire of Her late Majesty to mark the greatness of the occasion and her sense of the loyalty and devotion which prompted the generoua aid afforded by all the colonies m jibe goatb Afrioan war and tho splendid gallantry of hes Colonial troops is fally ab*red by His Majesty, who desires also to signify his heartfelt) grati^dfl for the K-nnufcby i«r bim««U and the Royal Family Z\c m ij« they have BUit»iced by the dtatb S'h!.t. mi =,:?."«■ «»MJ£ eshibltPd by bi« «übjcct« i* .hi «""""' His Majesty is coo&dent that Id the arrange ments lor the reception of their Royal Highnesses bis people would not fail to reoeguiojs jclfily the sad oiroumßt«jnces m whiob tbe viiio will »»k» place."

Longbeach Road Board.

Tbe monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday. Present— tfessra James Bishop, W T Lill, and A Wilson.

In the absence of the chairman, Mr Bi.'hcp was voted to the chair.

Correspondence was received fr« m tbe Secretary of the Jubilee Memorial Go or mittee, asking that enbscriptlon lists be returned at an early date- —The Clerk was instructed to call m the lists and forward returns to Ghristchnrch.

From Mr J McLeod, applying for a ford Acto&a L< ngbeach Roar?.— It was resolved that m the event of the expense of the ford and tbe maintenance of the water being guaranteed, that tbe Board will construct s, ford.

rain-r works were authorised to be attended to.

Accounts to the amount ot £105 da 6d were paated for payment. This w-t8 a'l the bnblneas.

CYCLING.

United Press Association—By Eleoferio Telegraph

Dtjnsdin, Fab 9 The weather for the Otago Cycling Club's Ninth Aaanal Race Meeting was not very favorable, rain falling during the afternoon, Tht attendance, however, was fairly good. Tbe following aro thn retitlti :—

Half Mile Dash—A Hostoa 60yds, 1; A R Barkor, I&ydi, 2; O F L«thaby, 65ydi, 3. Time, Imin tsso.

Milt Amateur Handicap—U G White, 45yds, 1; OF W Hill, 16yds, 2; X Melville, 75yde, & A Nelson. 125 yd»» dead heat, 3 Time, 2min 20§ses< Two Mite Amateur—* P W Hill, 30yd«, 1;OG White, 80yd«, 2. Time, smin l!|«ec. Otago Wheel Race, two miles -M Rand rup, 90yd», 1; A Ptrle, 240ycs, 2; H Gun thorpe, 220 yds, 3. Corrie ami Bennatb fell. Rand nip, who rode a good race, won by a length and a half* One Mile Novice—H A Nicholson, 95yds, I;RH Nagle, 35ydi, A W J Clark, 60yds, d«*d h«at, 2. sTima, 2min 25ieo, One Mile Second (Hits Handicap—A Hutton, icr, 1; A Ralston, 20yds, 2; F Williams, 50yd« ( 2. Time, 2min 40|seo< Championship of Otago, two dUtanoei, one mile and tbrse miles—Sutherland aod Barker wer* first and second respeeUvsly m each distance! Ralstoo and Hell»nd divided third money. Times—first distance, Smia 17f sec ; second distance, 7min IBieo. Suther land rode with his bead, and made a wonderful} ipurfe In each race< Barker responded gamely, but the rest of the men were not m it

Multi-Oyole Race, one mil* and n half— Barker and Baodrup, 15ydt, 1; Sutherland sod Bennett, ser, 2; Ralston and Huston, 90yds, 3. 1 ime, 3mia 18aeo.

Victorian Old Age Pensions

United Press Association—by Etaatria telegram—Copyright Melbourne, Feb 7 So many old age pensions have appeared m the Police Courts, charged with drunk enness, that fn f mure such cases will have to show cause why tbe pension should not be cancelled.

Over 3500 old age pensions have already been granted. The Argus says that at the present rate of application th» amount voted by Parliament will soon be exhaust ed, and there will probably have to be an all round redaction of the higher rates of pension.

The Federal Elections.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright>

Sydney, Feb 10 The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall being definitely settled, Mr Barton says the Federal elections will take place about Easter. Mr Jack Want will be a candidate for the Senate, and m the event of election will probably act as the leader of the anti-Bill party.

The Late Queen.

THE SARCOPHAGUS SEALED DOWN,

United iV"»» Association-—By Rieotrio Tele graph—Copy rt^ht London, February 9 Tho Barcophagus at Frogmoro has been rfe-aealed. A recumbent marble figure of the late Queen, which has been carved for twenty tiva years, and has been preserved at Windsor Castle, was placed on the lid.

Disastrous Busk Fires.

LOSS OF LIFE, STOCK AND PROPERTY.

(Jutted Press AngooUtion—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright MslboubhSj Feb 9 In the Hamilton district tbe estate of Mr Simpson, the well knows breeder of Shropshire sheep, was devastated, including the wool shede. In the township of Byadnck only three of the fifteen houses remain. 16 is estimated that fatly ten thonsasd sheep have been roasted m the district, one station losing two thousand, and another three j thousand sheep, Iri the Oartarton district the fire covered an area of thirty mihs, and is still burning fiercely In the Berringa district umcb damage has been done to mining prop? erties Mclntosbj whose death was previons ly reported, was overcome while fight ing the fire, and his homestead was destroyed, • Adelaide, Feb 9 The damage by fires m the Mount Pleasant district is estimated at many thousand pounds ' Hundreds of sheep, including stud rams, perished There w*s also much damage m the Narracoorte district Melboubnb, Feb 10 The A rarat races were brought to an abrupt conclusion by a bush fire, which, fanned by the gale, swept across tbe course so rapidly that pome of the horses were scorched bofore they could be got away. The wind unroofed the grandstand

KING EDWARD VII,

United Press Aaiociatfon—By Elf ptrio Telegraph—Oopyrjghb London, Feb 9 The King, after the assembling of ParlkmeDt, visits the Empress Frede? rick, and returns the Kaiser's visit The German newspapers sharply criticise the decoration of Lord Roberts by the Kaiser, and declare that his Majesty's act and his long stay m England run counter to the prevailing feeling of the German nation

CONSULTING OPTICIAN

MrErneit M. Bandeteio, DBOAI, FS, w(J; wh9 b»a lately returned after sis y«ui' epeoini Zt'^y m England and Cob tlnenfc, m»y be oonialtt^ OP all canes o defeotive eyesight, Daylight net fiacejft&ry »rfcl6olftl light being used. Doctors' pre aotiptioDS prepared. Fees moderate. Con Halting ioom§, Caihel Street W., ovcrM S&ttdßtein, jewellers, Cbristehurc*. 9t@ l f Bto 5 dt»i'iy ■ . .

CORRESPONDENCE

(We do not hold onrielves responsible for opinions expressed by our corre°pon<l(mts

THE ASHBURTON BRASS BAND.

TO THE I.'MTOR

Sir,—During the visit of the Imperial I Troops last Thursday and since then I have '• heard a good many remarks passed re the Ashburton Bass Band, each as • Why is the Ashburton Band not Hk« the band which the troops have wuh thorn !' • Why waa the Aehburfcon Band nob out on Thursday to play the eeooad contingent of the troops to the ground ?' • Was your band ashamed to turn out to day V and so 00. Now, if I e»n draw on your valuable space for a little I shcuid like, m fairness to the band, to try and explain some of these questions to the general publio One reason why our band cannot be oompared with thftt of the High land Light Infantry is that it receives no sympathy or support from anyona outside the members. Whenever opportunity for such has been given the response has been such as to leave as with th« balance on the wrong aide of the p»go. If the public would treat the band m the same manner as they do m Wellington, Oanrmra, Inveraarglll, and other places, there is no reason whatever why Ashbnrton should not have ft band able to hold its own with ■> good many of these, Now that we have (three volunteer companies with » full oomplimeati of men I think it Is a disgrace to the place that we haven't & band fit to turn our, with them when required, I believe that the members of the Ashborton Band would have been only too pleased to have turned outlast Thursday had they been ; m a position to do ao; but it it entirely opposite to military regulations fora band to tarn out on parade without uniform, and our turning out would hava been altogether out of placid as she uniform we have is not fit for such an occasion, even if the band it elf was musically fit. j. might say that the uniform, or rather part of the uniform, we now possess waa for the most part bought by individual members, and was got with the Intention of being added to when the funds of the band would permit, and as funds will not yet allow this, and the members will not wear the uniform as It is, we have to turn out m civilian*' dress. Thus we are aofib to turn out m front of Imperial troops. Here is a good chance for one of our energetic councillors or tradesmen to make a move m this direction, an j Ashburton may yet have i» Brass Band that they will be proud of* as Gore, Queenstowb, and dozens of smaller places m New Zealand have, where the oitizens of the town interest themselves m ita welfare.-—I tini, etc, Disgusted Bandsman. February 9, 1901.

SLY GROG SELLING

TO SHE SDIXOB

Sib,—We hear a goad bib now a days about \ sly grog selling to the Olutha and the King i Country, but) I have been wondering if there is half as muoh sly grog selling m these places as here m Ashburton. The sly grog selling m Anhburton ia so rampant) -hat; they do nob appear to trouble very muoh about doing it on the sly. It is very apparent that they have nothing much to fear. Any one who doubts this assertion has only to walk up and down the streets a few times and they will come across some of our • prohibited drunks with their hangers on. I mean by ' bangers on ' those men, the lowest m the soaia of humanity, that for a iew shillings get Is worth of whisky from the nearest pub pub up m a small bottle ; or if the prohibited person is m funds, for lOb he will get a whole bottle of whliky; So you o&n see it pays those ' hangers on' very handsomely. But why the people of Ashburton allow this state of matters to go on I fail entirely to see. If it was any other sort) of crime the police would be wakened up and the whole State would be m a stfr until the parties to :be breaking of the law wonld be brought to book. And still this supplying the prohibited men or women with drink is nothing more or lees than murder. These poor unfortunate creatures are prohibited by their friends generally with their own sanction, so that s hey may be saved from destroying their own home, and wasting what should, go to the support of their family, and of finally sinking down m degradation and death And theße criminals are plying their unholy trade hero m our very midst &ad no effort that; I can see is made to stop it. What folly it is to pay legi&Utors to m >ke more laws when the present ones e,ro not enforced. I do not meou to blame the police as I have no idea what they have got to do to take up their time, but if (hey have no timo to spax-f<?r the euppteasion of this crime that is bo rampant m Ashburton Would not it be muoh more sensible aa wo!! as more humane to get sufficient police pufc on bo that) there j would baa chance of the present laws being! kept before there would be any more m»de, —I am, etc , OF*

Australasian Swimming Cham pinship

United Press Association—By Eieofcric Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, Feb 9 The Half-mile Swimming Champion ship of Australasia was won by E G*vill, Time—l2min 59 2-sth sec Champion, the New Zealander, was amongst the starters The Grand Commonwealth Handicap was won by Hogan, of Queensland j Champion, of New Zealand, third In the swimming competitions at B&llarst, the Australasian 100 Yards Championship resulted as follows :™ R Oavill 1, Craig 2, Champion (New Zealand) 3. Oavill led throaghoat, Craig head Champion by a foot. The time was given as lmin 2aec, but could not be accepted, as the timekeepers had to take it from the moment; the com* petitora entered the water In order to afford Oavill an oppor tunity of beating Lane's Australasian fresh water record, an impromptu race was arranged subsequently, Though tiring towards the finish, Oavill suc ceeded, the time given o|ficially being Irain 8 l-sth see Champion swam second to Tucker m the Ballarat Handicap. Dunn, of Ballarat, won the Plunging Champion ! ahip of Auatralift | February 10 The Swimming Championship con teats have concluded with the folio wing results :—22oyds—R Oavill I, Owg (New South Wales) 2, Hogan (Victoria) 8, Won by » couple of feet. Time— 2min 49|eec. Oavill also won the Mile Handicap, beating Reid, of New South Wales, aa he li^ed m 27min 56 2 sth sec. Tha firat half mile was covered m 14min 2 1 sth sec.

South Africa.

United Press Association—By Electric. Telegraph—Oopj'righb

London, Feb. 8 Mr Budyard Kipling has gifen the Western Province (South Africa; Mounted Infantry a Maxim gun. Of the seven thousand regular mounted troops which it is intended to send to tbe Cape, the 2nd Dragoon Guards, the 7th Hussar?, and 21at Lancers are ready to go. The following colonial officers havp recovered from their wounda:—Oolonel Wellack, of Tasmania ; Lieutenants Hey wood and Moore, of Victoria ; W. King, of Queensland ; J. Montgomerie, of New Zealand. French holders of Transvaal bonds have protested to Dr. Leyds against Boers destroying the mines. London, Feb .9 The Boers on the 6th "held «p" and looted the Greylingstad-Vlaklaagte train, six civilians being wo '^''nd. De Wet was northwards of Hmith field on Thursday, moving eastward. Fart of his force is advancing on Phiiippolis. Many of his followers are deserting him, and are inclined to accept Lord Kitchener's terms. A Boer force moving south has been repulsed near Beddersburg. The War Offiw has issued two volumes of despatches, covering the period of Lord Roberta's command. They graphically reveal the terrible drawbacks encountered. The Army Corps organisation was disintegrated at its first contact with the enemy, and m reality therewas no organised Transport Corps, After this had been organised Lord Roberts consciously encountered the risk of a rising m Capo Colony, and of having his lines of communication cut, rather than forego the enormous advantage of striking at the enemy's capital. Lord Roberta pathetically laments tbe subsequent condition of the mounted force? as preventing any operation demanding rapidity of move ment. He pays a tribute to General Bullet" and his subordinate officers and the brave soldiers, who were marching and fighting almost incessantly from January 15th to February ?Bth last year. Finally, he emphatically declares that the permanent tranqaility of the annexed colonies is dependent on the complete disarmament of the inhabi tants. He admits this task would be difficult, yet it is one which conld be accomplished m time and with patience. The despatches show that Sir Red vers Buller dcubted the possibility of being able to relieve Ladysmith, and telegraphed to Lord Roberts on Peb rnary 6th, asking whether he ought to risk the sacrifice of 2000 or §090 men to gain access to a plain within ten miles of General Sir George White's position, adding that the success of the movement was doubtful.

Lord Roberts repiied that Ladysmith mast be relieved, even at the cost anticipated. He urged General Buller to persevere. General Bailer on February 9tb asked for reinforcements.

Major General Hunters, m his de spatches, stated that the war maps were a positive danger and delusion. The guns and not the gunners were at fault.

Commandant Mears sjamboked and then shot four Boers at Standertoa for refusing to fight.

Surgeon Walker was thrice wounded at Modderfontein, The Boer then bat tered his head with a stone, killing him. The Boers robbed the passengers on the Greylingstad-Vlaklaagte train, re lieving a nurse of £25.

j Mr Bosman, a leading Dutch pastor of Pretoria, who was afforded oppor tunities for investigating the charges of British ill treatment of women, reports them to be baseless. The Portuguese Govern men 6 has agreed to the return to Delagoa Bay of S Pott, whose exfquator as Nether* lands Consul was recently withdrawn, the King of Portugal at the time ' alleging grave reasons for the step. The Boers violently attacked General Smith Domen's outposts at Bothwell, near Riet Retief, The British suffered severely, but repulsed the enemy, and inflicted heavy losses on them General FreDch has occupied Ermelo, whence six thousand Boers have retired towards Amsterdam Adelaide, February 10. The Fifth Contingent of 300 boarded the Ormazan yesterday, sod sailed for Capetown today. There wag « large crowd at the wharf. The Governor visited the men aboard ship. The troops paraded the streets, and were entertained on the previous day. The Teviotdale, with horses accompanies the Ormazan, Melbourne, February 10 Tie City of Lincoln, with 624 of the Contingent's horses, has sailed for Cape town, fifty men accompanying them.

[ Wellington, Peb 8 The Premier haa received the following cable message hum the Premier of Tasmania: The following members of tho Fourth and Fifth Contingents arrived by the Kararr.ea: Tjipulenaot Colonel Newall, Sergeants Rois and Grigg, Privates Brown, Cook, Clunie Cameron, Dormer, Gill, Hatris, Home, Hopkiae, Hunter, Hay ward, Huntzsli, Jaokson, Lean, Morrison, Moorah, McDou* gaii, McAuloy, Popham, Riddel, Ruddel, Reyan, Better, Smith, Somerville, Stevens, and Valentine. All well. Sergeant Challia and Private Scarle, suffering front pneumonia, have been transferred to Wellington Hospital. Following New Zealand irregulars also on board : Privates'T&it, Rowlaad, McDonald, of Brabant's Horse; Keane, of Roberta's Horie; and <3ibaon, of the South African Palice.

DEATH OF A CANTERBURY TROOPER.

A few days ago our cable messages an° nounced that Corporal Campbell ParkinsoD, of ihe Canterbury Troop of the Third (Rough Ridera) Contingent was reported dangerously ill, and his friends and acquaintance? will learn with regret that his illness has termi' nated fatally.* Ab the reguesb of Corporal ParkinßOn?a friends Mr G Gt Stead cabled to South Africa niaking enquiries respecting hiuii and asking that no expense be spared m providing him with medtoat comforts and nursing* On Sunday morning » oable menage In reply, was received from Durban, whloh stated that Corporal Parkinson had died at Pretoria from enterlo fever, on the 6th inst.

Sporting.

THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP.

Sydney, Feb 9 Advance has been backed for the New* market Handicap for fully £3000 at 100 to 7 and 8, after which tbe best price offering against him was 100 to JLO.

Wkllinoion, February 10 Advanco and Boreas were shipped for Sydney laat night,

C.J.C. MIDSUMMER MEETING

Cheistohueoh, Fib It Moat of the horsas engaged at the C.J.O. Summer Meeting were worked this morning,, bot only a few sound gallopt were recorded. Terrapin ran a mfle against the watch, but Paladin over the same distance, assisted by StrathnaJ«i t registered a much fyeltet performance. Hermosa did a strong six furlongs, white Sommerled, Scottish Minietrel, (JltnaU dals, Gibboom, Windwhiatie ( Goldeam«e, Tremor, Battler, West Guard, Oftmto, Oadefc, Fashion, Cora Linn, Haka, Daodee, Calibre aad Military were given useful tasks.

TAKAPUNA RACES

AsrcittAND, Jfrbnuwf 9 Following ue final malts of tee finb <?fty'fl races :— iAKAFONA CW, Of 400 lOVB; I} mil*— 8t Ursula, 7sto 15tb, 1; Dayntree, 7it 181%, 2 ; Cavaliero, Bsfr 4!b, 3. Blue Jaokefe Safe 61b, Formula 7b* 12lb, Regalia II 7a4 101 b, Admiral Hawk 7et 6ib, Knight of Atnol 7tt, Matam*taharaldki 6at 101 b, Blaircarrig fat 101 b, and Kegnlua 6«r 71b, also itarUkUlCims -■ —2 41g. Dividends -£5 6s and £6 16s First Hack — Highlander 1, Narld 2. Woa by half a length, Dividends—£ls U \ and £19 14a First Hurdles—Voltigeur II 1, (Dim 2, Nor'wests 3. Won by five length*. Divi« , dends-£3 13s and £3 8s Fiest FoKr—Oranße and Blue 1, Lady , Avon 2, Cimiue 3 Divideadt—£6 17i aad £9 140 Strwabds—Val Rosa I, Boselia 2, Tommy Atkine3, Won by half % length. Dividends ~£4 13« and £5 8s

CABLE NEWS.

United Presa Aaioofatioa—By Electric Telegraph

London, Feb J The organ of the Amalgamated Railway Servants* Society of Great Britain has been mulcted m £1000 damages for accusing a railway superintendent of drunkenness A London hooligan has been ten tecced to twenty years' penal servitude for the manslaughter of a policeman at Whitechapel All the guns of the second clan cruiser Sybille, which was wrecked on the coast of South Afric*, while * seeking shelter from tempestuous weather, have been saved, except one The Duke of Devonshire, Lord President of the Council, writing m the - Umpire Eeview t says that Imperial federation is premature, and any attempt to define unity by pen and ink and parchment would be more likely to endanger than safeguard the Empire. He absolutely dissented from the suggestion that the Imperial Parliament should display greater interest m colonial questions, and says, ' The absolute internal independence of the autonomous colonies is a • recognised condition of the existence of the Colonial Empire.' New York, Feb 8 The revolution which has for some time existed m Venezuela has been suppressed. London, February 8 The King of Portugal yesterday, m receiving a deputation from the Evangelical Alliance at Buckingham Palace, said at bis distinct wish reli gious liberty wrb granted to all Protestant Christians throughout hit dominions. It was bis determination to enforce this rule, and he was giving orders to ensure its being carried out. Mr Thomson, President of the Man* Chester Chamber of Commerce, m an address, stated that although tbt immediate prospects were less bright, the country's trade was Bound. The' controversy, free trade versus pro' tection, was still alive, and there was i no telling, considering Great Britain'! costly wars, how soon the issue would,, ba raised, even m England A telegram has been received from Messrs John Aird and Soni, who are erecting irrigation works m £gypt, stating that the last channel of the Nile has been closed, and it is now possible to walk across the river at Assouan A jury has mulcted the Daily Mail m £725 damages for alleging that Charles Macdohald, a jeweller m Glasgow, supplied a worthless sword" of honour to the Clan Macdonald Society for presentation to fiJajor General Hector Macdonald An unemployed Italian committed suicide with a revolver at St Faaft Cathedral during service yesterday Bostockand Company, sugar refiners, of Liverpool, have been mulcted to the extent of £1980 for damages sustained by a brewer m connection with the recent poisoning cases, through using arseuicatod material supplied by Bos tock'e. Pajus, Feb 8 The French Army Committee haa adopted Adrian Montebello's reorgani satiqn scheme, reducing the term of* service to ten months or a year, ofericg  privates and non commissioned officers bounties and high pay if they enlist for five or ten years. '. r London, Feb 8

Madame Belle Cole, with a concert party, sails for Australia on March 03rd, Toe party includes Mr A.voa Sftxon, Mdle Virginie Oheron, and Herr Raymand Pecbotscb. Two cases of bubonic plague are reported m Capetown. Major Yarr», an expert, and Colonel Macksy, of Nev South Wales, have been gammoned, from Pretoria for the purpose of con suiting with and advising the authori ties. Every precauHon inthew»yof rigorous preventive measures is being taken. The outbreak has caused no alarm

The British Goverament ate issuing eleven million three per cent. Excbe oper bonds, repayable m ISOS, ranking with the Issue of December last, Bank opens the tendqrs pn Monday.

News in Brief.

Id will be seen by an advertisement m another column that Mr John Wilson bar* new shipment of wall papers of all dewrlp* toons The Rev 0 H Garland, of Ohrlitchurob, li visiting ABhburton ia connection with tn« Wesleyaa century commemoration moTfts' meab. He will lecture to-night In th* Wosleyan Church at 8 o'olook on 'God'« University.' There will be a collection on behalf of tho century commemoration fund.

THE GrtJAKDIA '" MpftPAY, tEBBtIAnY 11, 1901



Full ni'jcn Last quarter Apogee New moon First qaarter Perigee

D 4 12 9 19 26 21

H M 3 0 am 5 42 »m 7 0 pm 215 p m 6 8 pm 2 0 pm



Dato 'ebru&ry 9 10 11 .» 12 13

• « * *

RUea 6 16 5 16 6 13 5 19 5 20

Sets 7 14 7 12 7 11 7 9 7 8



Smoke New Yen^n



Dbc« 0?



Sentenesd to death ! the doomed man stand To die m prime of life, No shade of hope, no outstretched bands, Fo friend except bis wife; She heedoi not tho doctor's roioe, "His oough would kill him sure," She saved his life, and did rejoica, With Woods' Greab Peppermint ©are. 4 Oough Care, Wahoo, Koohbah and Benjamin Qnm go to Ashburton



aBT your Lawn Mowers sharpened at the EOhitaa cycle works, Tauored Street, Week



Pander & Sons' Eucalypti Extract— Under the distinguished patronage of His Majesty the King of Italy, awarded Diploma at the International Exhibition, Amsterdam, Acknowledged by Medical Clinics and Uni versities all oyer the globe. That the crude, resinous oils, which are cow foisted upon the public the name of Eucalypj Extracts, m^y not be mistaken for Sander & Sons' Pure Volatile Eucalypti Extract, we state :—lt is proved by testa made by the Medical Clinics of the Universities at Bonn and Griefawald (Prussia), that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed o aoidfli resinous and other substances adherent to primary distillation, will develop the curative properties possessed by the plant. To avoid the appalling consequences result ing from the application of substitutes, etc., m croup, bronchitis, diphtheria.dyseotery, internal inflammation, etc., insist ?n getting Sakdbb and Sons' Pore Volai Euca i,yvti Extract* and be safe • tttANTED KNOWN-Tbat Mei^ob's VV Zeslfcndia Boot Store is the chcapnst and beat boob shop m Ashbortoo. ,



Wade 8 Werai Figs, the wonderful Worm Worriers, sever fail for adults 0? ohildrta Price |H



Smoke New Venp *



COOPER;S_SHEEP DIP. Facts for Sheepmen and Figures. 1. Britain fa the great n)anuracturu>fs centre or tba J-heep Di^e which are being puhhed m this colony. 2. It ie also the GountTy which rabjects them to !b< haidffit possible tcn'H m use, for njthing taxes the a! idmg pu.peiHfeof Shei-p Dip" so eeverely as the WEATHER, aud few dij s iherr are that can withstand it. 3. The "BOYAL ' is the Gm-t.et. Arntal She>-j> Show of the World and the Representative Hock Gathrrii g vi i!k British Isles. These three dlsoonnectrd facie c m'Jme, however, m addlDg to the weighty gates o? tho last Royal Show :— Total Prizes Won by Sheep ... ... ... 162 Cooper-Dipped Sheep Carried eff ... ... .*. 140 Balance, for division amongst all other l>ips ... ... 22 ' A STA L V STB. | t *m"~°™*mm' "^"""^^"yOharoploD^ j "FirstT" | »7cond. j Third Total, COOPER ... j 5 J 61 J 55 19 140 • Other Pips ... | 1 I 7 } 11 | 3 22 OOOPER'S DIP thus secured 90 per cent of (he Fikst Pkizfs or FINE TIMES AS MANY 4S ALL OTHMIDIPS PUT TOGkIHER. 125 Leading Sheepmen eshibited, 104 practically voted for «• COOPER." Ifc is nearly the same with the Sheep ownera the world over, who last year 1899) ustd sufficient of "COOPER" to dip abonfc 200 Million Sheep An increase of nearly 25 Millions over the sales of the preTioua year. FRIEDLANDER BROS., LTD, AGENTS. "coal. coal. coal. TIMBER. TIMBEK, TIMBER. n- -m V—'—m» TP YOU WISH to Gave money, you should buy SHAG POINT OOAIr- The Cheapest and Cleanest Coal m the market, and tffecfc a saving of 30 per cent. BEFORE you commence to build, we advice you to call and jnepecfe our splendid Stocks of BEGISTEB GRATES, ENAMEL MANTLIPIECIS, and COOKING RANGES. We can give yon better value tban any other house m the trade. T P YOU REQUIRE your Residence PAINTED and UEOORATED, we have the Largest and Choicest Stock of WALL PAPERS m the County to select from, and can give you eyery satisfaction. IF YOU WANT Table Knives, BUTOBERS' KNIVES, Pocket Knives, and Rpzors, We have jnst opened up £200 worth of Cutlery direct from the maker*, the quality of which is unapproachable, W. H. COLLINS & CO., IRONMOKGEBS, PAJNTEBS. TIMBER & COAL MERCHANTS. 4feENTS, BOYAL INSURANCE COMPANY ICOI MODFLS JUST LANDER M AIY I M PROYEMEHTS. COMB AND SBE TEEM. PODB GOOD SFCOND*- HAND CYCLES TO BE SOLD CHEAP. NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED JOHN ORR & CO. N.Z CLOTHING FACTORY. WE have just concluded our HALF-YEARLY STOCKTAKING and liava thrown out a number of odd lines, which we have marked at prices that will effect a speedy clearance. z=SEE THEM AT DOOE.= MEN'S HABD AND SOFT HATS AT lg EACH. MEN'S SOFT SHIRTS. A lAIGE VABIEIY OF TIES, ALL REDUCED TO U& U Men's Leather Shoes 6s 6d, Men's Kid Shoes 10s Sd Women's Canvas Shoes 3b 6d, Children's 2s Sd Men'a Tan Shoes 6s 6d, Mea'e Tan Boots 15s. N.Z. CLOTHING FACTOIiY. THE YEKDICT OF AU. PBACTICAL EIDBES IS IN .FAVOUR OF RIDING BUILT with Butted Tnbing, Bhor6 Heads, Narrow Tread Arch or Box Orowa, «« lin pitch roller Chains, overhanging chain wheelsi &Hy style Saddle, Handles, Ucalo, etc ear, any height fr&txe ; &leo dust proof throughout. ONI PRICE TO ALL—£2i GATES, LOWRY AND CO., Zealandia Oycle Works, . BURNETT STBE!T 8 ASHBUBTQR I