Commercial.

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET

The Ashbnrtoa Agency of the New Zealaad Farmers' Co-operative ABBociation of Canter bury Ltd, quote aa follows on February 15. 1901:— Wheat- Prime milling Pearl «■ 2s^ 3d  „ Tuaoan.» 2a 3d „ „ Hunter's 2s 2d Old Oatfl—Duns -. la 4d „ Danish Is 4d , " Canadians la 6d Sparrowbille 1b 5d Now Oats-Duna la 2i and la 3d „ Danish 1b 2d aad la 3d , Sparrowbills Is -3d „ Canadian 1« 4d Barley—Matting, prim© 2s - Inferior Is 6d Peas—Partridge, 2a_3d ChaS—Good oatsheaf 4oa to 47b 6d Grais Seed—New 1b to Is 3d The above are prices current paid to farmers oo trucks at Ashburton.

HORSE FAIR

Light bfli'.ses were In fair demand, and from £12 to £1? were offered for ponies and haraese horses. Draughts were Bold at £32, £25 £35, £W, £41. £34, £28, £41, Is?,' lat £37; fc^k^-fiS, £6 15.. £17. £13, £1110 a; h*tn™* ho"8 c BTrBTr Sf 10s, £20, £19; pon'es-£l& 10b, £10 10% £9 16a; harness—£l6 10s.

METHVEN STOOK SALE

0E ftcsonot o! burnt operations being now

m fall swing there was only a small nfcten dunce at the Methvcn stock sale on (Thurs j day. The yarding consißted of about 4000 sheep, and a very satisfactory clearance was made, only & few lota being paaied m. Crose bred ewes realised 14s 6(1, crosibred fat ewes 14a, merino ewes (Ui) 9s lid, store lambs 12s to 13s, fat lambs 15s

Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following plasos as under, subject to the neoesa&ry alterations : SATURDAY, February 16 For Northern Potts and Weatport, per Botomahana t at 6 30 p tn MONDAY, February 18 For Tasmania aud Australia, due Mel bourne 25 fh February, also United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via Briudisi, alao India, China, Straits Settlement, South Africa, etc., specially addressed only, due London March 31et,FFir,jr, Hawaiian Jslaiad«, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, i etc, specially addressed via Vancouver per express, to oonneoc with Mokoia, at 2 30 pin. The next mail for United Kingdom, America,, etc, via San Frwaeiaco closes here February 23th. London March 30fcb

TO CORRESPONDENTS

Mother of Seven—H&a not complied with our rule requiring name to ba given to Editor.

Ashburton Guardiano Magnest Veritas et Prevalebit SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1901.

In concluding our recent artic'e upon the Hospital sewage question we said that draining hospital sewage through a town m open channels would be a menace to the public health-; that discharging the offensive matter they mast carry into a river is centrary to the provisions of the Public Health Ast, 1900; that adjoining districts which ba^e the Aehburtoa river for a boundary, might at any time compel the Borough Oonncil to caase discharg ing sewage into the river and cleauie it at its own expense ; and that as to the question of which scheme ia moat up to date, the open channel is th« ' most antiquated method of drainage that could fee adopted. With regard to oar first proposition that the drain age of hoßpital sewage through the town would be a menace to the public I wfl have only to remind our ireiHleff fhat the germs of various

diseases common to humanity cannot be killed by the ordinary processes of disinfpc ion ; and it may be taken for granted that some active bacilli would escape into the channels carrying the hospital sewage to the river, Jt is no argument against our contention to Bay that the drainage from piivstte houses m the town runs down the channels into the riverbed, for we know that we may often rob. shoulders with disease and death and yet escape injury, as the soldier does m battle. Bat the risk is there all the same, and why should we be called upon to meet it needlessly ? No one can deny that the sewage from the hospital must Ctirry with it greater risks than that from the houses where no disease exists 3 and although we may not bo able juat yet to do away whh draining private premises into the st-roet chan nels, wo may be sure this muat be done eventually, if we are to keep this town m the highest condition of sanitation. We have said that to discharge sewage or any offensive matter into the river would bfl contrary to law. The Public Health Act, 1900, aays that every person commits an offence, who " per mits or suffers drainage or refuse from his land or premises to flow into or be deposited m any watercourse or stream that flows through a borough, (whether forming part of the water supply of a local authority's district or nor.)" This ii plain enough, but Mr Purnell saya a stream or watercourse is not neces sarily a rivi r. Nevertheless, it is quite clear that the legislature intended the word river to be included m the cate gory, since the greater includes the less, and moreover, clause 60, dealing with the same subject runs thus; "In any case where any river, (whether tidal or otherwise,) watercourse, stream, or open ditch or drain, lying near to or on the boundaries of two or more dis tricts, is foul or of ensive or out of repair, or otherwise defective, the fol lowing provisions shall apply," etc And this brings up a very important aspect of the case of draining into the Ash burton, for the clause proceeds thus '■■— 5< On the application of the district health officer or of any local authority," (of any adjoining district) any Stipen diary Magistrate may summon the offending local authority to show cause," etc, and compel it to cleanse the stream or river, and abate the nuis ance. That draining into a river does come tinder the definition of a nuisance, may be gathered from section 9, of clause 72, which defines as a nuisance 11 where the drainage of any town or building falls into any harbour or fore, shore, so as to be offensive to the public or injurious to health." We cannot afford, m a question of this sort to quibble about the trivial point, whether the shingle banks of a river are covered by the term foreshore. We know that from titne immetnorial, the deposit of sewage on the shores, even of tidal rivers, has been condemned by all authorities on sanitation. And even if the discbarge of sewage into a river bed were not injurious to health, it is certainly " offensive to the public." Reviewing all these imttrrß, we think ' it must be clear to every unprejudiced person that even if the sewage might be safely and legally conveyed through open channels through the town, to deposit it either m t!,e riverbed, or to discharge if, into the stroacu would be a source of danger to all the proplfi dwelling on or near its banks. It ia further evident that these people have power under the Health Act to put a stop to such proceedings at any time One of the members of the Hospital Board who supported the proposal to discharge the sewage of the institution into the street channels contemptuously referred to Mr Baxter's scheme as being !(not up to date." It may interest that gentleman to know that although that system of disposing of sewage does not embrace the very latest methods of disposing of sewage, it is based upon certain scientific principles which are recognised and utilised m the moat elaborate sys'ems of this age; and it ia r-^*'inea m advance of the ancient onu ut open surface channels. If it were carried out, the coat of it would not be wasted when the time comes, as come it muat, for the Borough of Ashbarton to adopt the most approved method of scientific drainage. Wcj sincerely trust that the Borough Council will not accede to the request of the Hospital Board to be permitted to discharge the sewage of the Hospital into the street channels or into any other open drain running through the town,

Local and General.

Weatheb Report.—Captain Edwin fores caste ;—-Strongly winds; Glass rice. Boeouoh Valuation Lt?t.—-The Borough Valuation list is now open ior inspection, D o Liobnses —Ownera of dogo are re minded thet tha Hoenaep for the current year should be taken out atouoe. The Rakaia -—Sa a result of the nor' wester of yeßierday the Rabaia ie again m good. A Deskrtbr. —A bluejacket who had deserted from the Mildura wob arrested yesterdny m a harvest field at Springfield, and taken to Ohriatchtjroh. Pays thb Penalty — Hergeanfc-Msjar Cwrpenter, of Kitchecer'a floree, haa been executed for the murder of Lieutenant Berghuys, a colonial officer, at Krugeradorp, An Army Obdbr—An Army order has been issued directing that nor.-commisaioned ffioera shall not be deprived <t their promotion by their being prisoners of war if exonerated from bUme m the matter of their capture. Thb Weather—The weather still con inu.ee phe&«:nenftl.ThismorDingbrok rbeauti fully fine, with a gentle south east wind blowing, but at noon a thunderstorm burst over the towa, hail falling at the game time> The storm, however, only lasted about half an hour. Trooper O. B, Smith—Trooper Oharleu Edward Smith, of Tinwald, arrived m Wellington by the Karamea, and has telegraphed to hia friends that he is ip excellent health. He will be home m a day or two. Poisonows Shbef Dip—Quite a number of well known shearers m the Rangittkei district are at present suffering from poiaoncri hands, attributable to coming into contact with poisoaoua gub&lancea m sheep dips. i ASHBUBTON HOXOTCUMUBAL SOOIETy-i The entries for the Ashburton Horticultural Society Show, close with the Secretary, Mrs Dodde, on Wednesday next, 20th ioat v Intending e^hibifcors are requested to see than their entries are made m time. Chabitablh Aid Boaeo.—A Jmeeting of the Chadtabla Aid Board was held m OhrUtchuroh on Wednesday, bub nothing of general interest transpired beyond a sugges tion by Mr Hugo tfriedlander that an institution for chronic and incurable diseases ehould be established, it being decided to supply Dr Mason with information on this subject,

Dr Wamke SMio?H~Dr Walter 0 Smith, \ Minister of the Free High Church, Edin burgh, author and poet, attained hi* jubilee as a Mm eter on Decembee 26, 1900 Ikb Troopship Cobnwau.- Several per sous m Chriatohurch have received cable grams from membors of the Sixth OonfeinKcnt frrm Albiny, but the vbbbgl'b arrival thorn bad not been announced by the Press As«o ci:>fcinn up to noon ior?»y» Wind Velocity— During the galo which ragod over thf United Kingdom on Decem ber 27tb and 28th last, tho wind attained v velocity of 120 miles an honr. This h the higheit speed registered at Hlaokford Hill Observatory since tho anemometer ws» «ob up five years ago Quick Tuavelmno—-Mr 1> O'Brien left Sidney at thi-eo o'clock on Saturday after noon, was m Wellington at eleven o'clock on Wednoedny, and reached Ghristohurch on Thursday morning, and wag present at tho Rummer Minting of the O-J 0. m the afternoon. Quick travelling thi°. Land For Skttlkmknt.—The Commie pinner of Crown Lands advertises that tbe Lyndon settlement, n«ar Wai»u, Is now open for selection on tho lease m perpetuity system application* will be open till March 6th and the Land Board will examine applicant!) on March 6th at Wainu where the ballot will take place on the following day. Alikged TiiKFTi-—On Monday Saab the grand jury throw out the bilU against James | Bowie Kirk, charged with stealing £295, the property of Messrs Beath and (Jo, with whom he had some arrangement for nulling goods on time payment?. IMb understood that the prosecutor was dissatisfied with tho decision of tho grand jury, and the defendant was summoned to appear before the Magistrate on Thursday, on the same charge, and the case was adjourned till Tuesday next. Ib is said that the finding of " no bill" by a grand jury does nob prevent) a case being brought again, and la nob like aw acquibtal by a common jury. Pkacb on Earth.-—The London Daily Express contains an amusing cartoon under (he heading "Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards m^n" as an introduction to the now century* It represents John Bull chasing Kruger with a club ; the Kain«r holding a Chinaman by his pigtail and flourishing a sabre preparatory to decapitating him ; the ' Czar somewhab similarly engaged; Unole Sam—bayonetting a Phillipino ; France trampling upon an Ethiopian, while Portu galjand Holland on a very small scale, appeal to be just coming to blows. Personal.—Mr Theo B Strong M A has been appointed, temporarily, second assist ant master at tbe Tim-.ru Boys High School ifl place of Mr F M Browne, who has been appointed one of the Organising Inspectors under the Manuel and Technical Instruction Act—Mr W 0 Weaton, will leave for New Plymouth today, to take over the manage ment of the Taranaki Herald and Tamnaki Budget which are owned by his unole, Mr H Weston. Outside Shopping.~A correspondent writes from Ohrisbohuroh :—" I saw a para graph m your paper m which mention was made of 'Outside Shopping.' Would you mind mentioning that after hunting over Chrietchurch for a suite of furniture to please her, and yet be within her means, my wife was advised to try UndrilUMn Aahbur ton, and she got from them a suite superior m quality and workmanship, and at a more reasonable price than any she saw here . . Ib has been an object of admiration to all her Christchurch friends, who are astonished at its quality, style, and reasonableness of price, It was well worbh the freight to have such a handsome suite." Presentation —A very pleasing little ceremony took place m Mr Andrew Orr's shop on Thursday, when Miss Palmer* who has for four and a half years bf en head mil liner m the establishment, was presented with a handsome silver teapot with the following inscription :—• To Miss M E P*! mer on her approaching marriage by the employees of A. Orr, E*q, February 9th s 1901.' Mr Hopkins made the presentation, and stated that he was torry Misa Palmer was going, and wished her every happiness m her new sphfre. Miss Palmer suitably replied, and refrflfihrnenta were dispensed by the young ladies of the shop, i New Zealand Better KsowN—Sir West by Perceval (says Auckland correspondent of the Otago Baity limes), speaking of the reputab on of New Zealand m London, joined h's testimony to those of all recent visitora from England that 6incß the Transvaal war New Zealand and everything connected with it had become much more widely known and immensely more popular than ever before. Tha action taken m New Zealand m sending troops to the Transvaal, and the conduct) of the me*n there, had, apnrt|»Uoget her from the patriotic side of the question, been a splendid advertisement for the colony, from which it would reap great benefit. Lord Kitchener's Methods — From Canada comes the story, told by a Canadian soldi< r, of an incident, the personages figuring m which were Lord Kitchener and Oolonel Girouard, the distinguished Cana dian engineer. Lord Kitchener wanted a bridge which had been- blown up by thu Boers repaired m five days, " I will inspect it, sir," said the engineer. When he» returned, he reported thit ib would take ten days bo make the bridge as it was. " I said five days," said Lord Kitchener, ia bia tnoeb decisive tones; "I shall use the bridge then." He burned on his heel without another word ; but m five days his men were marching over the bridge. Colonel Glrouard never quitted tbe scene of operations during the whole five days; he remained there eight and day. Bohr Bribes and •• Truth."—lt will be remembered that statements have from time bo time been made to the efFecb that a number of British and Continental news papers and magazines had been heavily bribed by the Transvaal Government to advocate the Boer cause, Amongst: others charged with accepting these bribe* were Messrs W 13 Stead {Review of Revieivs) and Mr Labouchere (Truth) The latter indig nantly denied the accusation, and offered a reward of £1000 to any one who could prove that he had accepted money fiom tho Boer authorities aa stated. This for a time s disposed of tbe matter co far as ''Labby" was concerned ; bub it now appears that Mr Hess, a wel!-known citizen of London, has ' published a facsimile of what purports to ba a receipt from Mr Labouchere for £3000 - from the Transvaal Government, to pay for ' the advocacy of the Boer causa Mr Labouchere professes <o be Bbocked at the . depravity of the scoundrel who is thus j seeking to lDJure him, bub he does nob appear to be making any attempt to bring ] his aßSiilanb to book, contenting himself j with abusing him. Meantime tho Btory is generally accepted &c the truth about * Truth.

The Primate as Chaplain.

THE POSITION PECULIAR.

United Frees Association—By Electric Telegraph Wellington, Fab 15 The statement that Mr Seddon has appointed the Primate, Bishop Oowie, as chaplain to the Britannic, caused a great deal of surprise here, as also Bishop Cowie's statement m the Synod that no chaplain was aboard the troopship. When the Britannic was m Wellington there were no fewer than four chaplains on board These gentlemen are at present on atrip 'o Auckland, via Rotorua, and unless they have resigned m a body, the remarks about no chaplain aro as incomprehensible »a the statement that the Premier has actually aDpointed a chaplain to his Mpjasty's forces. If Bishop Oowie really goes to Auckland with the intention of making the voyage aB chaplain aboard the Britannic, he may expoot a warm reception, because the Rev Townend, the Episcopalian chaplain aboard, has become notorious bhronghout the colony as a particularly vivid exemplar of the Church militant.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Kai-ieb, February 15. Owing 60 the ambiguous way m which the Primate put it, ha was generally under stood to say that he was going to England as chaplain to the troops on the Britannic. He informed the Synod that the premier had offered him a passage Home m the Britannio, and as there was no chaplain with the troops he would accept the ifhr if the Synod would consent. Ib transpires that by " Home " he meant Auckland, not England,

With th|s issue we circulate a bill giving particulars of the farewell visit) of the British biogrspb.

CORRESPONDENCE

(We do not bold enrtotves resrwible f#r opiiriooß fxpreßsed by our correspondents

FROM ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

TO THK EDITOR £?it, —Havo I bpen to see the Imperial troops ? Y«8. "What did I think of their. ? That question I cannot answer co quickly. Were ttaoy not: ft fine body of men ? I do not say otherwise, but when I looked on the various uniforms and headgear, I thoushb of Sartor fteaartus. How much were they before tho Maori with m*fc and feather* ? Wore they cob civilised aavages 1 AH ffor the good of trade, you eny, Ihink of it, oiviliimH. Yo, who by your bearing show your prido m, and sympathy with, this iri'de of using Jifo, think of it. These imageß of men taken from useful employ ment, drilling and marohing until they acquire the precision of the maohine, which the army must be ; fed and clad, but nod by themselvoß By every ton of Iron bant into camion, by every ounce of steel forged into ewordo, is indnatry no much the poorer, sinew to much the lets remains for the development of those arts which tend to lessen labour and benefit) mankind. la 8.11 thia warlike bravery Indeed for the good of trade 1 But they are oar defenders, by whose aervloes we may labour wltb hand and brain, and enjoy the fruit of such labour, otherwise insecure* They, if not the Empire builders, are its anstainera. Must this b« ? Outekle the Empire there ia a State called Christendom, and a law of that State la: do as je would be done by. How little heed fa taken of that law !b testified to-day by tho standing armies of Europe. A bold man he must he who, at the present time, will nob about, '• Fighfe for the Empire," but some there may be who, taking a higher stand, ory "Stand for the right" As a great writer has said, "The gun which does not need another gnn, and which will put down al! revolutions, must be the law of love and justice alone. So the less we see or need of troops, Imperial or otherwise, tho better for all, ia the opinion of Onh Who Saw Them.

Beautifying Association

The meeting of the Aehbartou Beautify ing Association called for last evening was adjourned owing to the abßenoe of some of the members, to whom had been entrusted some important arrangements, amongst others the canvassing for donations. It was decided to hold the meeting on Tuesday next, the 19th instant, when it was hoped the gentlemen referred to would attend, and be able to make a satisfactory report 1. It was incidentally mentioned that the remark able improvements made m Obrlstobnrcb by the Beautifying Association since it com menced operations have elicited the admira tion of everybody, more particularly of occasional visitors ; the residents are gett ing used to ace new beauties blossoming everywhere. Ib has b«en said that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever, and there is no doubt that if beautiful surroundingß do not actually elevate the character of a people, they tend largely to refine it. It ia to be hoped that those nmongat nn who have taken up thia admirable work m Ashburton will not draw back, but will * nee it through,' and co arrange that our Own Association may be able to show results that will also be the admiration of all beholders, and may so educate the people that m the time to come, their love of the piotureeque will convert this town into one of the beauty spots of New Zealand.

THE BOT-FLY.

Not Fatal to Horses-

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, Fab 14 The head of the Bureau of Animal Industry at Washington, the first scientific authority m the world on the diseases of animals, has written to Mr Gilruth, to the effect ihat, no veterinary surgeon »n all America considers the bot-fly daDgercua to life m horeea. ' Quite the contrary,' says the head of the Bureau, ' the action of thia highly beneficial insect stimulates the stomach and promotes digestion ' This, coming m reply to a request to be informed of the merits of ' Tansy ' and various other remedies, may be pronounced % crusher. Death occurs, of course, the great American Department says, even among horaes, and post mortem examinations often disclose bota, but the fatal cause is some other internal trouble destroying the tissues.

The following is th •■ fall text of the letter referred to m the above message : — U.S. Department of Agricultural, Bureau of Aoimni Industry, Washington, D.C., Jan 5, 1901. Dr J. A. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian, Department of Agriculture, Wol;ington, New Zeoland, Sir, —In replying to your letter of Nov IS, I desire to nay that veterinarians m thie country make no attempt to treat horses for botß, as it is not considered that they do the horßea any injury. On the contrary, it is asserted by some that as a result of the little irritation produoed by their holding on to the mucous roembrans of the Btomach, that organ is stimulated and digestion is promoted. In this country, about M»y and Jane, they are expelled with the excrata, and stablemen and others who notioe them m the manure, will sometimes exclaim thab the horse has bots. This, of course, is nothing but the evolution of this parasite. , , . , Bots can be found m the stomach of any horse m thla country that is turned out to pasture during the summer and early fall when fehe gadflies are flying, This being the general impression ia this country with regard to bots m the horse, your papers must be m error m representing that a de< oofltion of tansy is recommended by this Department for the purpose of expelling them from the horse's stomach. Tansy has been used, turpentine has been used, varloua anthelmintics, but I am not aware that any of them have any <ffecc upon the bots, and do not believe that the bots are a serious detriment to tha horse. Unless In very great numbers, they do nob attach them selves at all to the secreting half of the stomach, but show a preference for the cardiac, which is lined by a mucous membrane lika that of the Jfiophagus. There is an impression which prevails among farmers, and to an extent among horsemen, m this country, that the presence of botß m the stomach of a horae is frequently the cause ot colic, and sometimes the cause of the rapture of bhe viscus. While they may at times cause colic pains through the irritation produced by their little hooks and spikes, especially after they have entered the intestines, they certainly do not eat through the gastric wall or cause perforation of the stomach ; and when rupture of the stomach is revealed upon post mortem examination of the animal that has had colic, it has, undoubtedly, been due to orer disfcantioD, moßt frequently as a result of the accumulation of gas, even though bota are found m considerable cumbers m the stomach—Yours, respectfully, D B LaIiI^QN, Ohief of Bureau.

The Dunedin Fire.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Dunedin, Feb 15 There being a strong suspicion of incen. diariem m connection with the trameheds fire, a Magisterial enquiry, will shortly be bald. Tha damage done ia estimated at about £6000.

The Otarama Murder.

United Frees Association—By Eitotrio Teletrrapb Ddnbdin, February 16 In the Gtarama stabbing case Alexander Thompson wai committed for trial for the murder oi tailor Gibbe, When the charge Against) Carl &unst, the other maa arrested, was called, the Crows Prosecutor aaid that after looking through the depositions, he could Sod no evidence against) the man, and he did cob intend proceeding against him. The S*M. .quite approved and said he had pleasure iti dismissing the case against KLunsJiy

Communication With South Africa.

United Paess A*Boc;a'ioß~By Electric

Telegraph

BATES OF FREIGHT.

Chbibtchuroh, February 16

3'he following freights have beeD fixed for the Ofearama, the first boat to leave the colony for the Cape under the new arrange ment, by which the Shaw Saville and Tyeer Companies amalgamate to send a boat every six weeks to Houth African ports:— Wheat* 45b, oats 555, per 22401 b ; flour 455, bran and pollard 655, and oatmeal 50*, per 20001 b; case goods, 50a ver ton tneaiure ment; compressed hay, ICOa per 22401 b; mutton, 11 per Ib, lamb 13-16 th d per Ib, beef | \ per Ib. .

Wintry Weather in America.

A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE.

United Prees Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Received February 14, 910 pin New York, Feb H New York Harbour is icebound, There have been terrible snowstorms m the Eastern States. The steamer Bhynland took seven teen days to go from Qaeenetown to New York. For thirteen days she was battling Against high seas. The vessel | lost the blades of her propeller.

Christening British Warships.

United Press Association—by Eleetrk ■ Telegraph—Copyright (Received February 15, 9.1 ptn) London, Feb. 14 The Admiralty has accepted an offer of Australian wins to be used m christening warships, In accordance with the suggestion of the South Aus tralian Agent General, wine grown within the Empire will be used on such occasions m fata re.

Affairs in China

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright London, Ft b 15 The Umperor has directed the astronomers to select an auspicious day for his return to Pekin. Three officials included m the Minis tera* list refused the Emperor's request that they should commit suicide. British and Continental capitalist! have acquired for a million sterling the works of the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company, and the Kosping coal field, This is the largest transfer ever effected m China,

Death of Sir Edward Stafford.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph (Received February 16,9 sft m.) London, Feb 16 Bir Edward Stafford, formerly Permier ot Naw Zealand is dead; aged SO years. Wellington, Feb 15 The Government bare received a cable from London announcing the death of Sir Edward Stafford, who was three times Premier of the colony, [Scaffobd, Ed ward William, K.0.M.G,, was born m Edinburg m 1820, the eldest son of Berkley Buckingham Staff rd, County Louth. Ho was educated a*. Trinity College, Dublin, and landed m Neiaon m Januarj, 1843, having come there ly way of Mel boarße. He first came prominently before the Nelson public soon after the Wairan massacra of June, 1843. la 1853 he was elected to fill the cffiue of Superintendent of Nelson. After the enlargement} of the Provincial Council, he was a second time elected to SI! this position, and without opposition. On the establishment of re sponsiWe government m New Zealand Id June, 1856, Mr Stafford gave up Provincial for Colonial lesptwßibiliaieß. He accepted the office of Premier, and formed a Ministry which continued m office mora than rlvi years and included Mr William Richmond, Mr Whl»aker, Mr Weld, and others. After this his industry and ability are well shown , m the statutes and public records The loan ! debts of the colony, amounting to £120,000, he oonso idated and provided for ; he did the j s*me with the debt of £268,000 dne to the New Zealand Company, and secured ie on the lani revenues of their settlements. The Customs revenue he fairly apportioned between tho Colony and the Provinces. The land revenue was left to the Provinces for public works; and although he had to provide for the Government of a very thin and widely scattered population, without any of iha gold revenue that afterwards poured m, he never proposed bo add m any way to the permanent liabilities and burdens of the colony. In 1859 he went to England) His* principal objaots m visiting England ware to establish a steam mail service between England and New Zealand via Patfama, ad the joint oosb of the Home Country and the Colony, and to arrange for the planting of military settlements m the North Island, composed of some of the married men and their families from the various militia regiments embodied during the Crimean war. In the first object he succeeded bo far as to prevail on Lord Derby's Government to call for tenders for a Panama steam service; bub, before the benders con Id be considered, Lord Derby's Government was displaced by Lord Palmerstoa's, and the latter declined to go on with the under taking. The military sentiments were at the same time frustrated by the breaking out o! the Italian war, which, it was feared, might involve the whole of Europe. He was Premier from 1856 to 1861 ; again, from 1865 to 1869; and also m 1872. He was always regarded by the country as holding Colonial rather than Provincial views; hence his policy got to be spoken of a 5 centralising. His Government passed the ' New Provinces Act,' 1858, to constitute new Provinces out of those already existing ; and the Provinces of Hawke'B Bay, Marlborough, and Southland were called into existence. In the early part of his Parliamentary career, Mr Stafford represented Nelson constituency; subse quently he represented Timaru for many sessions, and the main street m Timaru boars his name.]

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association —lly Electric Telegraph—Copyright A NEW INDIAN FRONTIER. London, Feb 14 Lord Ourzoo has created a new frontier province, formed out of four Tranß-Indaß districts of the Punjab, with the tribal country beyond. SUPPRESSION OF GAMBLING JIOUSES. Brussels, Feb 14 The Chamber of Deputies has voted for the suppression of garabling-houßes, including those at Ostend and at Spa, THE WKSTRALIAN MINISTRY.. Perth, Feb 15 The Hon G Throssel has been sworn m as State Premier and Treasurer, He will also continue at present to ad minister the Department of Lands. Received Wakapuaka Feb 15, 9 41 p m, Thi« office 11 20 JAPANESE FOR NEW CALE DONIA. Sydney, Feb lp Another batch of Japanese arrived en routs for New Caledonia, to work m the mines. THE COAL TRIMMERS. Newcastle, Feb 15 The coal trimmers have rescinded the decision not to work after six on Saturday night, anil will work till

midnight, but demand double pay for this shift.

The Federal Campaign

Uuited Press AB&oci>*tioii—By Eleotrio telegraph —Copyright Melbourne, Feb 15 The Eight Hon, E. BartOD, m his speech to-night, favoured citizen soldiers for Federal defence, He said the people would have to support a Ministry getting a revenue of from eight to eight and a half millions, before they talked too loudly about free trade and pro section.

South Africa.

SWAZILAND FRIENDLY.

BOERS CAPTURE AND ROB A TRAIN,

GREAT RUSH TO JOIN BADEN POWELL'S POLIOE.

(Received Feb. 15, 9.1 H -> ■*) London, ifeb 14 The Queen of Swaziland has informed Lord Kitchener that she desires to prevent tbe Baere from entering her territory. The Boers captured two trains near Belfast, and, after robbing the pas sengers, they started the trains co that they came into collision, and the engines were smashed, Thirty thousand applications for enlistment m General Baden-Powell's constabulary have been received m London, and two thousand six hundred have been accepted. Received Wskapuaka Fob 16, 12 1 a m, London, February 15 General French, driving a large force m the direction of Rietretieff, prevented them from breaking back. The Innis kHlingß/ charged, killing five and wounding six, and capturing a large number of wagons and cattle.

THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.

Received WakapuakaFeb 15, 940 pm, This Office 1049 pm Melbourne, Feb 15 Tbe fifth contingent baa sailed m the troopship Orient. Before embarking they marched the principal streets. There were large crowds and much enthusiasm. Two hundred and fifty volunteers, the Marquis of Tullibar dines Scottish Horse, and twenty-four Dragoon Guards, who go to join their regiment m South Africa, also de parted by the Orient.

BACK FROM THE FRONT.

Hobart, Feb 15 Amongst a number of invalided soldiers by the Rimutaka is Quarter master H. Black, a New Zealander.

Dunedin, Feb 15 The news that Earl Roberts has mentioned Colonel Robin m having distinguished him self, has been hailed with much delight; here, where tbe Colonel's many sterling qualities are well known. Earl Roberts, m his despatch, probably refers to the time when Colonel Robin, at great personal risk, rode amidst a hail of bullets to rescue some 25 troopers who were In a tight corner.

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

The King's Speech

United Press Atacjiation—by Elnctrio T«lpgtaph—Copyright

Received W»ki»pu»ka Feb 15, 10.29 p m, This effine 11 35 pm London, February 15 At the opening of Parliament there was a great military display. The King and wore crowns and the Princesses and Princes were grouped on either side of the throne. When the Commons were summoned i they came with a rush, but only a few could be accommodated m the chamber. Lord Halsbury administered the oath of adjuration; The King signed the declaration against transubst«ntia tion, then donning his hat, all standing, m a clear and firm voice, read the following speech :— ---*' My beloved mother, during her glorious reign, set an example what monarcha should be, and my earnest desire is to walk m her footsteps. My relations with foreign powers are friendly, and I greatly regret the loss of life and treasure due to the fruitless gueri'la warfare maintained by the Boer partizans. Their early submis sion is much to be dusked m their own interests, as, until their submission is made, it will be impossible to establish m those colonies institutions securing equal rights to all whites, and give protection and justice to the natives. The war has involved an inestimable increase m the estimates. The demise of the Oroven renders it necessary that renewed provision be made on the civil list to replace unreservedly at your disposal the hereditary revenues so placed by my predecessor. The proclamation of the Common wealth of Australia has been made with many manifestations of popular enthusiasm and rejoicing, and my "mother assented to thfl Duke of York opening tbe fiist Parliament. Though separation from my son at present cannot bat be otherwise than deeply painful, I still desire to give effect to the late Queen's wishes, as evincing her interest and my own m all that con cerns the welfare cf my subjects beyond the seas. I have decided that the visit should not be abandoned, but extended to New Zealand and Canada." (Btceived Waktpuaka Feb 15,10 51 p m This office 11 41 p m " The Indian Troops aud the Naval Forces largely contributed to the re lease of the Legations m Fekin and the submission of China, The prolongation of the war m South Africa has led me to make a further call on the patriotism and devotion of Canada and Australia, and 1 rejoice that the request has met with a prompt and loyal response." He referred to the signal success of the Ashanti campaign, and continued— " The suffering and mortality through the drought m India has been greatly alleviated, but is still serious m the Bombay province, ProjDOfale will be submitted to Parliament to include increasing effi ciency of the military, amendment of the education regulations, voluntary sale by tbe^righ landlords to occupying tenants, amendments and consolidation of the Factory and Workshops Act, the better administration of the lunacy laws, amendments to tbe ( Health Aefc^ and Acts regarding the

water supply, prevention of drunken* Dfsp, and amendment of the law regarding literary copyright." The King and Queen resumed their seats .m complete bilettee, then left; A slight chill prevent* d the presence of the Duke of York and the Princess Victoria at the opening of Parliament.

A Brilliant Pageant.

(Received Feb 16 1053 pm) London, Feb 15 The ceremony was brilliant and picturesque. There were immense crowds at Pall Mall, Whitehall, and around the Houses of Parliament. An a mark of honor, Str&tbcGua's Hone guarded the route near Buckingham Palace, and invalided Colonials were assigned places on the route. The King and Queen rode m th« great state coacb, which had nol been used for forty years, and was drawn by eight cream coloured hones. The King wore bis Field-Marshal** uniform, riband of the Garter, and a plamed hat. The Queen wore an ermine cloak, a sma.il diamond crown, the riband of thi Garter; and a veil. Immense enthusiasm prevailed. There was a etat&ly procesiion from the robing room to the House of Lords. The King, wearing a magnificent ermine and crimson robe, led the Queen by the hand. Every inch of the House of Lordi was crowded with an intmenie con course of black clad and black feathered peeresses, including the Oonnteas of Ranfurly. The centre of the chamber was one mass of ermine and scarlet. Tbe Agent-General occupied the Royal gallery; The Queen's throne wa« a iittle lower than the King's.

DISCUSSION ON THE ADDRESS IN-REPLY.

London, Feb. IS

In the House of Commons Sir Henry Oampbell-Bannerman blamed the re missness of the Government m sending reinforcements to South Africa, Tha political conduct of the war, he laid, was nofc conducive to an early and honourable settlement. He implored the Government to offer more generont terms than unconditional surrender. He complained of the Government's poverty-stricken political programme, and said the Opposition would cheer fully provide an adequate civil list. He referred to the happy inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth. The Duke of York, he said, would falil » patriotic duty m visiting the colonist. Mr Batfour, referring to the Civil List, stated that there were no debt* to make good. He went on to say that tbe reinforcements sent to South Africa exceeded Lord Kitchener'i demands. He believed Sir H Camp* belKßannermsm would be willing, immediately hostilities ceased, to confer full representative institutions on the annexed colonies, which the Govern ment considered unsafe. Unconditional surrender meant tbe abandonment of the idea of independence, not surrender of individual independence. The struggle roust end m absolute and complete conquest.

In the House of Lords Earl Kimber ley expressed dissatisfaction a 6 the conduct of the war. The Marq'lis of Salisbury said gueril las were always difficult to quell when backed by great enthusiasm, There was do hope of abiding m peace nnleif | the British were masters and con ' querors. Anything short of complete triumph would be a danger to the colonial Empire The Addresb-in-Keply was agreed to.

SERIOUS RAILWAY DISASTER.

I OSS UF LIFE.

United Press Association-— By FJleotrlo Teleg :»ph—Copyright

Received Wakapuaka I?ebls, 9 40 p cj, tFhit Offica 10 39 p m Sydnbtt, Feb 16 A serious railway disaster occurred at Sydenham to-night, m which several people are reported killed and many injured. There are no details. (Received February 16.12 38 & m The scene of the railway accident was a few hundred yards from Temps Station The train w»s a suburban one, ra»« mag express through as far as Tempe. It left tho city a few minutes before six o'clock, the busiest part of the evening, just as people were leaving business The train consisted of nine carriage!. Several hundred passengers wen aboard Just before reaching Sydenham the engine ran off, dragging the first car riage, a second class' smoker,' with it, and ploughed some distance along an embankment, and rolled over Tbe carriage was smashed to pieces. Many of the passengers were pinned by tbe debris, and the scene wu terrible So far as is at present known, five were killed, and between thirty and forty injured Later reports state that seven were killed These are Lister Beverley, R 0 Teece, the fireman King, and two boys and two men not yet identified Several of those injured are m % ssrious condition The injured were conveyed to the hospital, where about thirty received treatment. Numbers of others were slightly iojured and, went to their homes Three, included m the list of dead, ■succumbed after reaching the hospi« tal Bowie, the driver, was arnongsfc those severely injured There was much excitement m the city, and many pathetic incidents were witnessed. Great crowds gathered at Red fern Station, and at the newspaper offices, anxiously awaiting news Heavy rain set m shortly after the accident. The night was dark, and this considerably impeded the resqae operations The railway authorities are unable to account for the accident. Sever*! i trains passed over tfre line shortly 1 before the accident * • From what can be gathered amid « scene of confusion, the engine from sojne unknown cause, suddenly jumped, turn ing over, and rig&Uiil itgelf. The front car, "a smoker" full ©f patfc aengern, by the force of the impact, collapsed, split open, and then closed upon the unfortunate occupmtg.

TRE ■iASHBURaOK GtAtt lAN • SATUBDAV, FEBRUARY 1«, 1901



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