THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains cave Aahburton daily for— (JHRISTOBURCH—at 7.20 am, 11 am 3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TTM ARTJ—at 1056 am, 3.50 pm TWNRDIN—at 12.54 pm (express) SPRINGBURN-ab 4.25 p m Trains arrive dally at Ashbnrton from— OHKISTOHURCH—at 10.45 «m, 12.48 p m (expreis), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 a m, 2.85 pm DUNEDIN—»t 6.57 pm (express) SPRINQBURN~at9.4Sam

Mail Notices.

Maile close for the fr.Uowing places as unoW, snHjecb to the neoppaary alt* rations : THURSDAY, February 14 For Northern Port? »nd Wostport, per Rotomahanft, at 6 30 p« FRIDAY, February 16 For Northern Porta, Australian Ce'oaies, | Ibi*.!'!, China, South Africa, Btr»iti Fettle" ] ment, etc*, also United Kingdom, Continent of Europe, eto, specially uddrestsed via Brindiai (due London March 31st), and alio Fji, Hawaiian Inlands, Victoria (BO), Canada, United Stater of America, United Kingdom, etc., specialty addraaicd via Vancouver, per Waikare, at 10 30 & m The next mail for United Kingdom, America, etc, via Ban Francfoco closes hero February 28th. London March 30th

Commercial.

Sydney, February 13 Whesfr, chick, 2< 3J3 j milling, 2i 6£d to 2s 7£d; flour £6 to£610", Manitoba £1015s. Gate, feeding, New Zealand, la lid to 2s 2d; local, 1a 7d to la lOd ; milling, 2a 41, Barley, N.Z, 2* 4d; other sort? 2a to 2s 6d. Maize 2« 101 to 3". Pene—None rffa'ritog Bras B|d to BJd ; pollard 10 i. Potatoes, I n<>w, local £8 to €9 ss; onions, £7 10* to £3; butter, creamery 9d ; oheece, NS6d 5 baoon, New Zealand 5d to6|d ; hams, Ntw Zealand Bsd to 9d. (The above quotations ire thoie ruling between merchant} and retailer, and do not represent the slightly lower values obtained by a recognised broker.) Melbourne, Febraary 13 Wheat, 2* 8d ; oats, feeding I*sl to !■ 7sd ; milling Is 8d to li 9*d. Barley, malt ing to 5s 4>d ; maiz« 2s 9£d ; bran 10£ di; pollard lid} potatoes, £4 10* to «&j oniona £6 10* lo £7. Adelaide, February IS Wh«at>, 2s 7.} dto 2s 8d; lour, £6 6». oats. Algerian Is 7d to 1b 10(5, stoat 2s to 2*6?; Brao, 10£ d. Pollard, lid

GERALDINE STOOK SALE.

There was a large entry at the Geraldiae Farmer's yards yesterday, tad a good attendance of buyers, the prices ruling being in advance of late qnatations, aod the sale on the whole being a satisfactory one. Fat ewes brought 15s to 15s 6d; sound mouthed ewes 15? 9d ; onll lambs 8s 4d to 10* 3d ; small stores 11s 6d to 13b ; fat and forward lambs 13s 4d to 13a 6d, the latter price was obtained for 1000 of Mr W. P. Studholme'tt lambs. Oattle—A small entry, fat flows made £7 ss; dry cows £5.

THE WOOL SALES.

Messrs Dalgety and Co h«ve reoeived the following telegram from their London office, dated 9th inst:—"The wool sales have ol'.eied a shade firmer. Compared with closing rates of last series, prloets for the bulk of merino wool, except superior descriptions of scoured, are par to 5 per cent higher. Fine crossbred wools at par ; medium and coarse crossbred wools, par to 5 per cent lower. Out of the net quantity available for sale 145,000 bales have been sold for Home concnmptioo, 95,000 bales fnr the Continent, 5000 bales for America, leaving 94,000 hales to bo carried forward to the nextsedeft, of which 19,000 ba'es consist of Cape wool. '

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET

United Press Afiaociation—By Electric Telegraph Uhbistceubch, Feb 13 Afc^ddingto" tn-d»y the entrien wero— 3COO fat sheep, 3COO f»t 'ambß, 10,000 s^ore sheep, 442 cuttle, nad 344 pigs. Cattle—Fat cattle, 164, were mostly cow and hulfcr bref, wilh a few prime stetrc, The demand was weaker, ftii'l m decline of Is per lOO'b'i was (xperienced, th« beat ruling a> from 2ls 6d to 23», other 17s b>\ to 21*. B»eers £6 15^ to £8 10- ; two pHtre ballockn £10 5» ; heifers, £5 151 %a £1 12s 6d ; cows, £4 17s 6d to £7 10', »nd up to £3 5s for extra hravy. SjiK»P-ln fat Bbepp there wore very few good wetherf, mostly iH.fiuiehefi sorts, and a weak»r dem»nd; t fiftvy weights 20» 4:1 to 21s ; fre- v. re J8« to 19s; light and vt 1 flushed, for grazing, 16s to 17s 6d. Tbe're were too many ewes, and the market was irregular, with a decline for a 1 sorts ; best 16a to 18», others 12s to 15s 6d ; prime merino wethers 15s 6d to 153 lid, and poor sorts lOi Id. Store Bheep—Mostiy wether* and lambs, except for good young sheep, which about held their own, showed a decided decline, bat the bulk of the yarding changed hands j forward wei hers 15s 3d to 16s 7d, backward 13s 3d to Isa Id, good young ewes 16s Id to 18s 6d, sound 15b 7d to 16s Id, aged (including Chatham Islanders) 5s 9 j to 9i 3d, lambs 9a lid to 12j 6d. ( Pigs—A medium supply; fat were slightly easier, baconers 33s to 42s 6d, extra heavy to 52« 66, equal to 3£d per lb; porkers 20s to 32a 6d, equal to3|i ; stores were in good demand, 15a 6d to 24t; siioksrs and weaners 6s to 13s 6d

BURNSIDE STOOK MARKET

United Press Association—By Eleotrio I'olegraph

Donbdin, Feb IS F»t Cattle—2so head were yarded, barely half of which could be classed prime beef. Supply was fully equal to trade require ments. Prices showed no Improvement on last week's. Best bullocks, £7 10i to £9 10 * ; medium, £5 10j to £7 ; beat sows and heifere, £6 ids to £8 ; ordinary, £4 to £6>

TIMARU WOOL AND SKIN SALE.

The usual fortnightly sale of wool and skins was held yesterday. The catalogues were email, bub toe prices realued for the limited selection offered were good. Lamb akins aold at 1«, Is sd, 1b 61 la 8-1, 2? to 2* 3d ; merino, 2* fed, 3s, 3> 2d, to 3* lid ; three quarter breda,, 3s 6d, 3a 7-i to SslOj j half ore da, Is £d, 2s 6d to 3s 3d ; crosmbreds 3;, 3b 2d, 3a 3d, 3s 6d, 3s 9d to 3* lOd ; butchers skint 3a 9d,. At per Ib merino wend from 4sd to 53, three quarterbred 3fd to 4£d, and half bred to 4f d, In wool mat ted Eeid at 2§d» 3§d, to 4d, dead 3|J, 3d to 4d, ; trimmings 2d, bullies and pieces 2sd, to 3d. Some fat sold at 16s 9d.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1901

The decision of the Few Zealand Government to send dearly 2000 more men to South Africa comes as a sort of surprise to us after tho official contra diction recently given to the report that a seventh contingent would be gent. Cer tainly the proposed step ie a very lerioue one, and it is not easy to tell whether the decision, is a wise one or not. Unfortunately, it jb almost impossible for people to consider this question in a calm and impartial manner, seeing that the patriotic sentiment has got such a hold of everybody, more particularly Messrs Seddon and Ward. No one likes to lay «- word that might be construed into unwillingness to do our very beat for the Empire, and so most of us are content to go with the stream and keep on sending our song away as long as the military chiefs in South Africa will take them. Nevertheless.,

there is another side to this sending I away contingent after contingent \ made up of all the picker! youth of the country, and it is one, we cannot afford to ignore. It is that; very few of these young men will ever again come back to sfay in New Zealand. We have had abundant evidencn of this, in the feverish haste shown by nearly all those who have ao far come home invalided to get back to the front. We may therefore consider, that thoße who have once gone to the front have practically ceased to be New Zealand citizens. If this country was over populated like those of the, Old World, this would not be regarded exactly in the" light of a calamity. But we are seeking to add to oar population and it wOl take a long time to make ap the 4000 odd men who in a few months will have left our shoreß for the South African battlefields. How ever, there is no doubl that if the Government wish to send more men from New Zealand they will have no difficulty in getting them. But we would suggest that for many reasons the stringent conditions at to age, medical elimination, riding testa, etc, be very considerably relaxed. There are hundreds of men in the colony who would with a very short training when thiy reach Africa, make really excel lent soldiers. We have had abundant proof that good fighting qualities are not confined to men of splendid physique between twenty and thirty years of age and above a certain height. We know that amongst the Boers, patriarchs of sixty and seventy have fought heroically bj the side of beard less boys of fifteen or sixteen. So we should like to «cc this last contingent made up on different lines from the others. Let them all go ! Battles arb not now decided by bone and muscle, but by brains, energy, and fortitude. If this alteration were made in the composition of the next contingent, thousands of men could get away from here who can find nothing to do in Ibis colony, but who might get a start in South Africa. There »re hundreds of shearers and harvesters now in New Zealand who would be only too glad to take service at the front.

We notice that the Anglican General Synod, which ia sitting in Napier, has been discussing the much vexed ques tion of Bible reading in schools A committee was appointed specially to deal with this matter, which laid down the proposition " that il the people of Few Zealand desired their children to be guided in life by religious principles, j then it was absolutely necessary to allow them to acquire in the public schools a fair knowledge of the Bible " The committee also expressed .the I opinion that such Bible teaching should be in the hands of the teachers, adding that it was unanimous in favouring teaching at distinct from merely reading. The special recom mendations of the committee will be found in another column, and we may add that they were adopted with little alteration: It will be seen that the advocates of Bible reading in tchools havo now gone furtherio their demands. Formerly they would have been satis fied if the ministers of the various denominations were allowed to give lessons in the school outside of the school hours. But it is now stated that this plan ia not satisfactory. The reaaon is not clesr; but it may be gathered from the discussion that took place, nnd from what has happened in the past, that the clergy have never spproved of the work being left to them, It ia true that some few ministers have loyally attempted to rnuke use of the concession granted, but we believe that the experiment has never I een continued for long anywhere. We now fjad the Aug ican Synod arranging for a combined and systematic attack en the Edu cation Act in order to change its secular character, and compel the State to undertake the teaching of religion in school hours. We do not intend to discuss the question whether the State should or should not take this duty upon itself. Everything that could possibly be laid on either side has been repeated over and over again without making the least difference to anybody's views on the matter. In questions of this sort, argument is of no avail,* and reasoning is waste of j time. Bat we cannot refrain from protesting against the statements that are so frequently made by ctargymen and others, who ought to know better to the tffect that because the Bible is not actnal'y road in the public schools, the morals of the children are utterly neglected. Writing with better oppor tunities of knowing the truth with regard to thin subject than nine tenths of those who are agitating for an alteration of the Education Act, we say that the inculcation of the highest principles of morality and virtue under lies all the teaching in our public schools. Those who have so much to say in condemning our school system confound the form of religion with the spirit) of it, and assume that creeds »re identical with morality. We advice these cavillers to visit some of the state schools and spend a little time there before they again attempt to Assert that our secular system of edu cation encourages immorality,

Local and General.

The Inward Mails.—An English and Australian mall arrived by She express from tihfl eoath last night. Alleged Tpeft.—At the Christohurch Supreme Court tba Grand Jury returned No Bill in the charge against James Bowie Kirk (alleged theft, three indictments), TiJk Penny Pqst.—Letters are beginning to arrive from the Old Country bearing a penny Btamp only. The first lot oatne to hand by the mail laat night). Going Back—A number of returned troopers from the Marlborough district intend going back lo South Africa shortly, having become enamoured of the country. Tbk Dbsbbx Blossoms.—-With the aid of artesian wells it is said that more than 12,000,000 sores of Sahara Desert have been j ! made useful for tiUiog eropi Thb Cheviot IBUrvxb?—Farmers in tht Cheviot district are busy harvesting. , lit is | ooti yet koowa what the yield will be (says the Cheviot Mws),bub it is feared the recent naseasooable weather will have had a disastrous effect. | Polo—The beautiful weather of yesterday afternoon attracted s large number of visitors bo Hkgley Park to witness Jibs polo contest 1 between • Victorian team and one seleoted from fche Ohi istohuroh Polo dab. If any* thing, the visitor! played a steadier game than the local team, although there wan bat little to choose between them in the general quality of the play, a remarkably evenly contested game ending in a victory for the Au.itnlia.ni by five goals to four

The 'Fbis«o Maxl.—The 'FrUoo mail' arrived by the first train from the north to-day. Personal—The friends of Mr H 8 Drum mond will be pleased to know that he has \ sufficiently reocvered from his recent trap accident to be about again. A Bia Fstate—The estate of the late Mr John Stephenson, of Danedin, has been certified to as of the value of £86,298 10a \ 9d, and stamp duty on that amonntbaa been paid. A Good Old &g& —Mrs J«ne Burgess died at Pioton (New South Wales) last Thursday at the great age of 115 years. Id the early (Uye the was in the service of Governor King. Chbistoht/bch Meat Company. — The Ohrbtohurch Meat Company has declared a dividend of 4§ per cent for the half year ending October 31, 1900 and advertise that dividend warrants are now payable ad the Bank of New Z aland, Chrietchurch, Another Wabning to Cyclists—The business at the S.M. Oourt this moroiog lasted only a few minutes, only four unimportant cases being on the list. The S.M, again warned offending bicyclists that he intended increasing the fines for riding oyc'es on footpaths: PKBSGNAL.—Mr L A Niooll left Aahburton by Tuesday's express to connect with KMS Waiwera at Wellington, tnroute for London, whibher he ia proceeding to represent the i firm of Niooll Brothers^ frozen meat exporters, of this town. Pbaising New Zealand. — While Jn Queensland Mr Donald Macdoirald, the war lecturer and correspondent, was taken to the famous Darling Downt by the members of the Government. In the course of the few remarks he made, Mr M&cdonald said that people going to New Zealand were apt to look at that country as a country merely of picturesque scenery ; hut he found when he went there that the land was magnificent I You're a Briok. — Amongst all the presents received by S;r George Whits for hie gallant defence of Ladysmith, he was especially pleased with the gold brick sent by his admirers in Grsymonth—so says Colonel Francis, who saw Sir George at Gibraltar, and was shown by him through tha wonderful galleries of ' The Rook.' It will be remembered that part of the inscrip tion was 'You're a Brick*' A Lady Agriculturist.—Miss M U Frassr F H A Sof lale Farm, Whithorn, formerly leotnrer on dairying and poultry keeping in the Glasgow and West of Scotland Agricul tural College, has been appointed lecturer on poultry keeping under the Irish Board of Agriculture. Miss Fraser is the only lady that has taken the diploma of the Highland and Agricultural Society. Postal Ordbb Frauds.— A series o* postal order frauds ie being brought to light in Melbourne. The practice ifs to take out orders for Bm«il sums of from 2» to ss, then eoratoh out the dash under pounds, insert figures, and pass the order off on some unsuspecting tradenwrin. An order for 5s was altered to £10 5", add Gained by a business mac, who found on presenting it that he had lost just £10 by the transactions Dtjnedin Against Federation. —The Otago Daily Times says that Dunedin has been very pronounced so far in its opposition to federation with the Australian Common* wealth. Leading merchants and manufac j turers of the city came forward in strength at Tuesday's sitting of the Federation Commission and opposed it, and towards the close of the sitting the Chairman suggested that an effort should be made to bring | forward a few more witnesses who would say something in favor of the toheme. It is expected that the taking of evidence in Dunedin will conclude this evening Fat Lambs—A grand line of 1000 cross bred fat lambs, from Mr John Orr's estate, at the Hinds, was sold to a Ohristeburoh buyer yesterday ab 16a. The lambs will be delivered at the Fairfield freezing works on Saturday. We understand this ia almost the highest price for a big line paid this season ia the South Island —A special train of 28 trucks, carrying 2100 fat lambs, on account of Messrs Nicoil Bros., passed through Ashburton yesterday on its way to Islington. 1940 of these were an exception ally fine line, being the firs'; draft of the Reason from the Ruapuna farm of the late John Rallnntyne. Canterbury College. — For some time past the Board of Governors of Canterbury College have been holding private sittings and taking evidence as (o the management of the institution. On Tuesday the Board again met in committee, and on resuming ordinary business the chairman reported that the committee had drawn up a report which was adopted "in camera." So far as can be gathered, it was decided to recast the management of the College*, and to appoint a person having quaiifi :ations more fitted to enable him to take charge of the institution in the capacity of director. Plantation Fibe.—About midday on Wednesday & fire broke out in a plantation, situated about two miles from Dromore. The fire began close to the railway, and ganger Simpson with his men were quickly on the apot. A strong nor' west wind was blowing and ab one time it looked as if there would be a serious conflagration; This however was averted by th-j strenuous efforts of the railway men, who, after a two hoar's battle with the flames succeeded in subduing the fire. Mr Simpson and his men deserve credit for their promptness in dealing with the emergency, for it is possible that a con* sider&ble extent of country would otherwise have besn devastated and crops destroyed. & Fishy Yarn.—During the winter months the residents on the sea co*st between the Ashburton and Bakaia rivers make periodical visits to the beach during the early hours of the morning in quest of frost fish, and occasionally their efforts are rewarded. Visits are also paid occasionally after severe south-westerly gales, and several fair hauls have been made of fish stranded, A short time ago a farmer of Seaview and his sons, following the usual custom after a gale, was surprised to find an immense fish stranded. After almost herculean labours the fish was brought to the summit of the cliffs, and deposited in the cart in waiting for the spoil. On arrival at home the housewife had some misgivings regarding the desirable ness of eating tha fish—it might be a sea serpent, a eca horse, a moon struck wanderer • -anything but a wholesome article of food. Samp'es were despatched to some H bernian and Sootoh neighbours, and the verdict awalttd with feverish anxiety. The Scotch people failed to report immediately, but Paddy, grasping the situation, a»nt for a second instalment, aa the supply of mutton had given out. Ib .was not until tha third day had arrived that Tim deo'ared ib to bo the finest * skate' he had enjoyed for m<ny a day, and the farmer realised that he had I missed a toothsome delicacy. The fish was of immense dza.

ATTEMPTED MURDER

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Wanganui, February 13 At the Waverley Courb yesterday James Bourns was committed for trial for the at tempted murder of J R Hiokson on the sth iQBb at Waverley. Hickso is a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales at) Patea, about ten miles from Waverley. He was returning to Patea after closing the branch bank at Waverley, with a bag containing £318 in cash and £241 in cheques, when be heard someone following, and on looking round Bourns fired a revolver point blapk at him at a distance of five or six yarda. He jumped to the side of ihe road, when another shot was Sred, one piercing hie overcoat, the powder going on hie ear, Constable Buokley made his appearance and Bourns decamped, hiding in a swamp, where eventually he was captured. A revolver with two chambers empty was found near. Accused worked in Waverley IS months ago as a rouseabout, at which time the Bank was broken into and £56 stolen. On the 6th December last) a further attempt was made to break into the Bank at the same plaoe.

WITH THE FIRST CON TINGENT.

Trooper Wilkie's Experiences-

(CONKNUED),

After forcing Haub Nek, the column met with slight opposition at the Vet river. The Boera made a sband for some time, but ( retreated as soon as the 4 7 naval gun got into action, a woman who lived tear the river said the Boers had a dread of being • Croojed' (surrounded). She said that gome of the Boers were under the impression that the British turned their heads away when they fired their rifles. Her husband was fighting with the Boere, and she said that a Boer could carry eight days' rations of biltong (dried springbok) on hia horse, i! on a forced march. After a few skirmishes we reached Winburg, the houses of which are built more like English houses than thoße fa moati Dutch towns. The land round Wiu burg appean to be very fertile. Daring j these marches we ware with the Highlander?, and heard the bagpipes playisg, morning, noon and night. The nexb battle we f ought was at Sand riven The firab day our Maxims did good work. Baring this fight we saw Lord Roberta's balloon high in the air. Lord Roberts'! column was on our 1 !>., and he , was probably having » look ut ,uo battle. Lan Hamilton did not use hi* big gens the first) day, but) at daybreak on the second, he senb a lyddite shell into the Boer camp, which very quickly broke up. The New Zealanders were sent to reinforce Kitchener's Horse, a« they had . lost several men. Our horses were none too strong, and when galloping over to join Kitchener, seven of our horses fell in a few minutes. Daring this fight the Canadians managed to get some of the Boer in an ambush and put about; 150 of them out of action. We passed \ Venterßburg In the advance and soon ' reached Kroonstad. A great review of troops was held by Lords Robert*) and Kit> choner, General Hamilton, &c. Our olothee were nob up to parade form being those served out to us in New Zealand, and when we joined the Second Contingent later in the day they called us' The Dirty First.' The Kroonetad railway bridge had been blown up, but our engineers made a devia tion and trains were taken across the river in a few days. I met E Bennett of the Second Contingent at Kroonetad, also Alf Willis of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps, both well known in Ashbur ton Colonel Pilcher was eent> out West of Kroonstad to endeavour to catch some troublesome Boers near Paardeville. His force consisted of Queenslanders, New Zealandera, and two pom poms. Ws marched all night, surprised several places in the early morning and captured 25 prisoners, and destroyed their arms and ammunition. The main body then returned to Kroonstad, but the remainder continued to search with Bnme Remington Guides and Canadians. The expedition was successful, as several more houses were surprised, and more prisoners taken* We arrived at Kroonetad late the following night, and heard thab the Third Contingent had joined. I immediately rode round to where the Aehburtoaibes were. I mat all except C E Smith of Tiawald who had taken ill. Next morning the general ad vance was resumed. We were under Genera' Button and the New Zealanders strength was at least 600. Some days later a skirmish took place and Captain Ohaytcr of Blenheim was wounded. The Second Contingent killed two Boers (one paid a dividend of £3 17s 6d) and took two prisoners. About this time the orders were very stringent aboub looting and commandeering, bub the Canadian! were not to be beaten, and although a guard was put on a farm yard near, one of the Cana dians lassoed a young calf and galloped off with it before the guard knew what had happened, and "Major" Holroyd having found some mealie flour, and having no bag to put it in, tied the bottoms of his trousers and filled the legs with the Hour, A couple of diys later we came in sight of some oi the Jnhannesberg mines, and the battle of Klip Drift waß fought, when Corporal Byrne, of Timaru, was killed; It was near Klip Drift that, Dr Jameson surrendered to Crocje after his famous raid. Our guns silenced a Boer gun on our left and we advanced to the top of a knoll. Here the Boers concentrated their artiileryfire on na during the afternoon, Trooper Krjubley, also of Timaru, was shot through the stomach, and although his case was considered hopeless at first he subse quently survived, A piece of steel struck Byrne in the centre] of the forehead and killed him instantly. We dug his grave at night near where be fell. Trooper Hastie, also of the First, was wounded by the same shell that killed Byrne, and several of our horses were killed daring the day; The column retired from the position nest morning, the Boers using their artillery and pom poms very freely, some of their shells dropping among the cooking utensils while the cooks were preparing a meal. They left the pots and got in safer quarters. The column passed Florida withoufi opposition, but h&i a skirmish or two further on, and some mounted infantry managed to capture a floe Boer gun, which was sighted up to nearly five miles, and also an ammunition waggon which the Boers captured at Oolenao. The late Corporal Upton took ill at a camp eight miles east of Johannesburg, on June Ist. We entered Pretoria after travelling down the Magaliesburg Valley, through Daspoort, The Dutch inhabitants did not take the British into their arms altogether, but cried and gave black looks. We camped some miles out of town, and a oouple of days later forty-six Boers came into camp under a white flag and surrendered with their arms< Next day an expedition waa made in the direction of Diamond Hill. To give some idea of tht condition of the horsep, only sixteen men of the Firat Contingent were able to turn out, and I think about the tame number of the Third Contingent turned out. After crossing Camel Drift the Boers opened fire simultaneously with big guns, pom poms, maxima, and rifle fire. Oar cavalry had to retire for some distance, and a 12 pound gun which had taken up a position in the open got the enemy's artillery fire concentrated on ib, and it was almost obscured from view by the dust made by the shells dropping round it, and the seven men at the gun were wounded. Other guns rushed into action, however, and relieved the pressore somewhat. Artil lery fire continued most of the day, and the ammunition column had a busy time keep-' ing the gunners supplied with shells. Next day shelling was resumed, and the Boers managed to land a shell into a house, which the British were using as a hospital, and over which a large red ciosm was flyiDg. Lord Airlie was kilted at Diamond Hill, Upon our return to Pretoria, we found that a number of men of the first,' second and third Contlngencs had joined the railway, they having been under the impression that the war was over. We were also told that the war, was over as far as the Colonials were cofiocrned, and any man who desired to stay in the country to see more of it could do bo. Consequently next morning about 200 men and 7 officers (including Lieutenants Tucker and Walker, of Ash burton) marched in to join vhe Transvaal Constabulary. As all the officer's positions were filled Done were taken on, but all the N'C.O's and mea were admitted; As soon as the war recommenced, ho waver, I returned, and we marched to Balmoral. We spent one night there, It rained heavily, and four High- Sanders died of exposure. General French having occupied Middleburg, we returned to Pretoria, aad were immediately sent to relieve Baden Pewell, who had gob cooped up at Rustenburg. When returning from Buitenbarg a patrol of seven New ZeaUn* dere got surrounded by the Boers, and Sergeant L'Esfcrange was captured, the remainder being relieved by the Quaens-) landers. We next were sent after De Wet, (pronounced De Vet). I contracted malarial fever at Rustenburg, however, and was placed in Corporal Alf Willis' ambulance van, aad J Heasley, who had been wounded were takes into the hospital at Pretoria with me. Three weeks later, however, I left Pretoria and rejoined the column at Barber ton. Tb#re .were 4000 Dutoh women at BarbertOQ. After doing Cossack post duby there for aboub three weeks the New Zoa iattdars got orders to hand everything over to the 6th Mounted Infantry, and it was thought ail were returning home. After five days' travelling in the train we reached Pretoria. The first batch of the First Contingent from all parte of the colonies, left for hams on 23rd of October, the ssaond ten days later ,and the last batch ou November 21, but these were detrained at Woretttsr until after the Afrikander

Bond had held its meeting, as a rising w&i feared. The firßfc batches of the firat New Z-alanders came by the Harlech Castle, and the last name by the Orient, add arrived in Sydney in time to see part of the festivities in connection with the Commonwealth. I met Mr R M Cuthbertson several times in Pretoria.

Magisterial

AEHBURTON—THURSDAY

(Before 0 A Wray, Etq, B.M) Drunkenness—A first offender wut fined 5s and costs By-Law Oases—E F Harris and A Fook were each fined 5a and costs for riding bicyelee on footpaths in Aehburton Civil Cases—Ashburton County CoomoU vj Sullivan. In this claim. £1 4s Id, for county n»les, judgment waa given for plain tiff Council

School Committees

Ashburton Borough School.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Aahburtoa Borough School took place on Tuesday evening. Present, all the membetf except; Mr SSlcock OTACHEB8 1 RKPOftT Main School—-I have 60 reports that we resumed school on Wednesday, February 6th but) that the attendance for the first week was very poor, being only 309 out of & roll number of 412. Eleven have left during the hoiidaye (including the five scholarship t*k«rt) while 18 have been admitted* (The popil teachers have all pasted their examina tions in the merit Hat, The school il now sweet and clean, and I hope «11 parent* will asoixi the teachers by sending their ohildren regularly AHeisron Side School -In presenting my first repori for 1901, 1 am pleased to b« abJa to abate that the mil number has riaeo» since the reopening of the school, from 73 to I 84. The attendance h»8 bees good, all the ohildren having teturned to school. The number present today was 78. I should like to suggest that it would be an improve ment if a padlock and chain were added to tfcie side gate, as the play ground would then be secure during vacation time. I think it would also be advisable to have the grass out all over the playground. IL'ht twtng needs a new rope, and a new drinking cup would be a great improvement and wotild add to the comfort of the scholars THE BEPAIBB A disousslon took place on the manner in which the repairs and renovation had'been done, and a resolution was passed that Mrs Patrick, the caretaker, should be written to express.eg the committee's satisfaction at the excellent work done by her. The com mittee considered that the contractor! had also done their work in a very creditable manner. After passing Borne ecoountl the meeting adjourned.

Hampstead School Committee

The tißttal monthly meeting of the Hamp* Btead School Committee was held IMb evening; Present— Messrs G W Andrews,, Crockp, Thompson, Hardy, Pajue, Sage, and Ramsey. &tx apology was read from Mr Cawaey. Mr G W Andrews was voted to the chair Correspondence was read aB follows:~ From the Board of Education, expressing satisfaction with the meaner in which the truant officer discharged his duties From the same statlog that Miss Gilmour would commence her duties from Thursday morning, and also stating that Mils Gilmour had been selected for the position of relieving mistress at the Oxford East school From the Board stating that the infant mistress had been granted leave of absence during February From Jamea and Brown, that they will nob be able to attend the school outhouse* after January 31, 1901 From Ede and Meaclem, that they are willing to continue the contract; »t<st%d a week.—Agreed to From the Board, that as Mlsa McDonald had not passed her fourth year examination ! she will still remain at the Hampstead school The master's report wat read, showing number on roll 330, average for past fort* night 260, and asking if the. committee oou'd see its way to having the fences round the school grounds trimmed. This was lef b in the hands of the Visiting Committee. Messrs Eurnaey and Hunt were appointed Visiting Committees for the ensuing month. EXCURSION. Ib was resolved to give a holiday on the day fixed for the excursion and that all who wiohed to go could go on their own Recount. It was also resolved that the committee fall in with the Borough School Committee's, arrangements, the same as last year. After passing several small accounts and ft vote of thinks to the acting chairman the meeting adjourned.

The Bible in School.

At the meeting of the Anglican Synod just concluded in Napier the following recommendations of a special committee were discussed and generally approved of: - (1) That the .Recess Committee be ap pointed to correspond with the leaders of the other religious bodies in New Zealand with a view of forming a society for the promotion of the religious instruction of the young, the objects of the society to be—(a) To seaure general agreemenb upon a scheme of religious Instruction in public schools; (b). To seek by means of public meeting and the dissemination of literature to arouse and educate public opinion upon this important question: (c) To endeavour to secure the favourable consideration of Parliament to any measure agreed upon. (2) That tho Receaa Committee consist 0! the Bight Rev. the Bishop of Wellfngroa, the Yen Archdeacon Fanconrband the Rtvi. T H Sprott, and C O Harper. (3) That the following proposals be sug gested to the secretary as & basis of aofctan —•(a) That in order to give the Word of Christ its due place in the publio schools of the colony an effortjsbould b*» made to secure euoh an amendment of the Education Aob as shall provide for the daily opening {of the schools, or the Bible reading under the supervision of the teachers, and with the Lord's Prayer, a conscience clause being provided for both teachers and scholars; {b) That the teachers should be entrusted with the duty of careful instruction ia meaning o! the language and narrative wUheub ob | tt udicg personal cr sectarian views; (0) That I the lessons prepared by the Royal Commit- I siou in Victoria might suitably be adopted or j used as a basis upon which a Bible lesson ! book may be compiled for use in the pablio schools of New Zealand; (d) That any Act amending the Education Act in these respects Bhould be of a permissive character, giving to the various school committees the power to decide whether (the Bible lesson book shall or shall nob bo used in school hours, whether tho teachers shill or shall not give teaching upon the lessons, and whether ministers of religion or their'acored ited representatives shall or shall cot be permitted to give religious instruction in the public schools during school hourß,

News in Brief.

Messrs 6 Dunsan and Co, People's Ca«b Draper, circulate with tills issue a price liefe for their sale, which will continue for one month

Hurricane at the New Hebrides

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Oopyrigh b Stdnet, Feb 13 A hurricane took p'aeeat the New Hebrides: oq January 24th, and wrought great faaveo to property and the plantations. The dam? age is QBtimated at 150,000 fronofl,

CONSULTING OPIICIAN

Me Ernest M Saadstein, DB 0 A?, F 8 MO, who hati lately returned after six years' special study in England and Cod fctneut, may be consulted oa all cases o defective eyesight* Daylight not necessary artificial Hght being used. Doctors' pra seriptiora jjrrparei. Fees moderate. Con suiting rooms, Caehel Street W. t over M IS tadetoin, jeweller, GhrisfcQhurc>> 9to 1, 9 io 6 daily

THE ASHBURTOH GUABDIAJS t TttOßSbif, fBBBOAfit 14, 1901.



MRS ALCORN is now showing beautiful assortment new Millinery new Mantlet), new Dress Goods, new Silks etc, in the enlarged premises, Ladies and Children's Pinafores, Aprons, and Underclothing in ock and made to order, Wade's vVorm Figs are most effetive and not unpleasant; children thrive after takin them. Price, Is



JAMES BAKER. 1 Furnishing Wabbhocbb, (Hsvelock Street; HE guarantee* to aeil. at Chriitchurch prices for Cash or Time Peiymente, 1 14 TJ *X "O a 6 m 9 w O •v .£ S3 #• e5 -o '5 (^ f^r ] p» o is \te—/ Jl** 1" M ra 83 •§ g H I * 1 3 « Oh i 5 I «< jo *■' • S '^ ■ 8 - I I-5 Wo J J H. g | : g £^ v sll .»e W 3 i ! |» 5 GO w i 2 -s Wi £*• as j W 8 . D 5 Extract from the iViw Zealand limes, January 22, 1901. I extensivelmpobtations. 300,0001b TEA. FEW people ever stop to thick, when meaunring oat a teaspoonfui or when baying ft pound of tatt, of the enormous quantity required to supply the people oi New Zealand. A visit to the wharf during the past month would have been *r> eye opener Nelson, Moate and Co , Limited, receive shipments of to* by almost {every eteatnei from Oeylon and India throughout the year, ■nd havo landed, during the last three weeke alone, the huge amount of 300,000 pounds, which is enough tea to provide every man, woman, snd child in New Zealand with 3 cups each of strong ten. Nelson Moate <fe Co., Limited, are the leading tea merchants in the AantnJaai&n colonies, a position which they have gained solely by civics the public & really good artriole PURE & HALFBRED TAMWORTH PIG« PPO Farm»rß purchasing Halfbred PIGS. We are prepared'to buy them for Bacon providod they are fattened on grain or Peaa, FARMERS' MEAT SUPPLY CO* 5 J H Rulb. ITE ADyANGWC ORAI'-HEAD & BEREYMAN HAVE jasfc opened out, ex s.». Paparoa from London, the largest shipment of New Goods they hive hitherto Imported, oomprising the'mostap to date Puttings from the beet Manufacttrera as now worn at Home, Their immense stock of Fashionable Tailoring Goods now affords customers such » splendid range of new materials of jjusmu'eer! qual ty and stylish pa?terns choose from »a rhoold please even the most fastidiou*, aud their prices, worhmaDßhip, and fit will compere favorably with those of the leading fiim» in Chrißtchurch or other cities. They are also showing » grand lojb of new H»tf. Shirts, Ties, Bootß, etc., this seas d Customers would dn well to place their orders es»r!y aa C. & B have already a erge nuiribeir of suite on the books promised before Xma». 11 JL4 "~ Fo"tTc b r" Kennedy & Muir BEG to Notify the Farmers and Horse Owners in the Aeihburtoa County thetb they have TAKEN OVER Bbid & Gbay's /nhburton Branch of JOBBING k ENGI NEERING, and ore prepared to carry o«s all classes of work ac ttsaal; and also intend to extend the Business by adding HORBE-BHOEING, COACH BUILDING k GENERAL WHEELWRIGHTING* Both having been employed by Beid & Gray for many years, and having large experience aB Horse Shoers, Implement Makers, and Coach Builders, all witk entrusted to their care will be exoeuted with despatch and at moderate prices. 10 A CARD. MESSRS STRINGER & CRESSWELL BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS, CHRISTOHUROH, HAVE OPENED A RRAPOH OFFICE at> Mb Datisom'b, West Street, Asbburton, where they will attend every THURSDAY and on other days when nece^Bary. They will be represented in Ash burton by Mr J. Davison, who fa authorised to receive instructions on their behalf, and to whom communications may be addressed. We b&vo ■various sums of money awaiting investment at lowest current rates STRINGER & OBESSWELL, SOLICITORS CHRISTCHURCH cfe ASHBURTON. 2 50 ""BBMOVAlT^OTlOB". A T. H, WILLIAMS, Bookseller, Btatiooer, etc., haa REMOVED bin business to new praotiiee in East Street, aext door to M sasßs W. H. Collins & Cos. "KAYFI~GARTFR ARE CASH BUYERSi highest) current rates, ail FARM PBODUOB. Ageata tor Sdotok's and Lawson'B Unrivalled Seeds. New Season's Supplies of RAPE, TURNIP, MANGEL CLOVERS, ho, &o, 3WS LANDED. LARGE SHORES at LYTTELTON £XTENSIV« OLEANINB MAOHINERY. CORNSAUjfB alwayi on hand, KAYE & CARTER. OHRIS CHUF.CS Smoke New Venus '™"": ~ ALL Loasby's rciparatioQ —OktoamoQ Oaro, Koolibabt Wahoo, and Becjamia



t~ Jj'Uß ISALJiT. 3 B EEP COUNTRY SHEEP COUNTRY Hinds Diatriot 1500 18SSS 1500 IN its native atate for Sn!e at a reduced Price. Fronting the rond leading to LowoHfife Far partioalars apply to T BULLOCK OLJDA¥~aTnTIPfWe a large stock of Men's, foathe', and Bopr Salti, made to mj orders, special Snlah for w^tr, style, 9,n4 sppearanoe tqu&l to sojthi^g procuvttbla. Suit a made to me&rars la batti stylo, fit guaranteed, Oenbi'* iAdiflt' *od Children's Boots and Shots l& great variatjfi » Hobebt Alcorn 1 WANTED Knowa—Thab oar OiSoloths and Llnoleumr are botaghb direct ' from the British Mills, and ataad unrivalled or v arietj »Bd yalues^—afitphell ».n.d Tisro*r



/~1 HT year Lawn Mowers sharpened ab the VUr Eclipse oycle works, Tanored Street, W«8t). for" sale, WELL Cured Prims quality HAMS and BACCN. Cheaper than Badf >t Muttoa. Guaranteed grain fed by /Tanners of this diatriefc. FARMERS' MEAT SUPPLY CO. ■ - ,7 H Rumt Hjiußißl r A ."FLOWER, MANDFAOTOBING CONFECTIONER, FRUITERER, 4j. CIHOK3EBT Eoglißh Oonfeo* iouo, Toffiiß ) Condiee, and Pare Boiled Lollies, Hot Pice, Cold LuncheoD, Tea, Ooffoe. and Chooolabe always ready. FLOWER'S REFRESHMENT ROOMS, Eißt Stree Aebbnrton. Smoke New Venaa



THE VEKDICf OF ALJ^ PRACTICAL EIDERS IS IN JfAVOUB OF RIDING BUILT with Butted Tubing, Short Hetdu, Narrow Tread Arch or Box Oowis, or Hb pitch roller Chaina, overhanging chain wheelei Any styleß»ddl®, Handles, Chain, etc, ear, aay height frame ; also duafc proof throughout, O^E FRIGE TO ALL—£2l OATES, LOWRY ANJ • CO., Zealandia Cycle Worfa, BURNBTT STREET, ASHBURTON.



/ 1801 MODFLR JUST LANDED MAJVY IMPRCVEMF.NTS. COME AND SKHS THEM. pOUK GOOD HCOND T-BAND CYCLES TO BE SOLD CHEAP. NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED JOHN ORR & CO. N.Z CLOTHING FACTORY. IMI|<IIIM . *%\ , |,,,W iiMiitiirmr WE have just concluded our HALF-YEARLY STOCKTAKING and iiava thrown oat a number of odd linee^ which we have marked at prices that will effect a speedy clearance. ■ j =zSEE THEM AT DOOR.= ! MEK'S HABD AND SOFT HATS AT Is EAOH. . MEN'S 80FT SHIRTS. I A LAEGE VABIETY OF TIES, ALL REDUCED TO 6d& ls: Men's Leatbe-r Shoes 6s 6d, Men's Kid Shoes 10b 6d i Women's Oanv&s Shoes 3s 6d, Children's 2s 6d Men's Tan Bboes 6s 6d, Men's Tan Boots Iss. K.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY-



WA L L PA PE.R S. ] Wl HAVE TO HAND, per the laafc Home boat—29 Bales of the very \ latest ABTISTIO P PWKHANGINGS, the Colourings and Designs of which are decided works of art. Included in the shipment are Beautiful F»ieaes and Borders to match the Papers. I hold the largest slock of WALL PAPF.RS in South Canterbury Clients can therefore rely ctponh ing a largo variety of each respective Borfe to choose from. JTITTT Oi/~\TIX house decorator and sign- W I I iISI I \ Opposite Mail oßee, § IT XJLJkJv/JLlt Barnett Street. J POBox 16 Telephone 65. COOPER'S__SHEEP DIP. Facts for Sheepmen and Figures. 1. Britain is the greats manufactoring centre of the Sheep Di|>s which are being pushed in this colony. 2. It Is also the Country which subjects them to the hardest possible tea's in us«, for nothing taxee the abiding properties of Sheep Dips bo severely »a the ' WEATHER, and few dips there are that can withstand it. 3. The "ROYAL" is the Greatest Annual Sheep Show of the World and the Representative Stock Gathering of the British Isles. These three disconnected facts combine, however, in addtrg to the weighty gures of the last Royal Show :— Total Prizes Won by Sheep ... ... ... -162 Cooper-Dipped Sheep Carried off ... ... ... 140 Balance, for division amongst all other Dips ... ... 22 ANALYSIS. _______.. mM^M^M^. — "*"*" | Champion, j First. Second. Third Total, COOPER ... | 5 | 81 55 19 140 O^her Uipß _». __i 1_ I 7 11 3 22 OOOPIR'S DIP thus Eecured 90 per cent of the Fiust Prizes or nink'timks as mast is all other dips put together. 125 Leading Sheepmen exhibited, 104 practically voted for •« COOPER." It is nearly the same with the Sheep owners the world over, who hbt year 1899) uatd eafiicifinfc of *' COOPER " to dip about .200 Million ' Sheep An increase of nearly 25 Millions over the sales off th© previous fear. FRIEDLANDER BROS., LTD, AGENTS.