EPHEMERIS

Phases of Moon fox January

BUN.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Train* 1«a« Ashbarton dally for-" UHBIBT6HUROH—ftb 7.20 »m, 11 *™ 3.16 pm, 7 6 i>«" («J£pre«») TIMABO—at 1058 am,s 60 pin DUNRDIN—at 12.54 pm (expreu) SPRINGBUKN-ati 4.28 p m

drains arrive daily fct Ashburfcem from-» OHKISTOHUROH—at 10.45 am, 12.48 p tn (expresn), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,265 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (expreim) SPRINGBURN—»t9.4Sain ________

Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following pkoes as under, atibjaofc to the tsecofieary operations ; SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 for Nortberc Ports and Weßtport, per Rotomahana at 6 Zf) p m MONDAY, JANUARY 14 For Tasmania, and Australian Colonies, (due Melbourne Jan 20),India,Ghina, Japan, btraits Settlement, South Africa, etc., United Kingdom (due London Fabraary I 24th), and Continent of Europe, via Brin disi, specially addressed correspondence only per express to connect, with Mokoia. at 12 30 pm For Nortuher Porta per Moana, at 10 30 a m For Northern Portß and Weßtport, per Tarawera, at 630 p m FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 For Northern Ports, Weatpoirt, Samoa, Hawaii, PliiHipines, Japan, a!ao United States, Canada, etc, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco (due London Feb 16) per Tarawera at 630 pm ; late fee letters, guards vao, express ; money orders, 3 pm; registered articles, etc for United States, 5 pm The next best) despatch to the United Kingdom is via San Frnnoieco, leaving Christchuroh on Jan 16th, and due London Feb 16. i NoTE—Tbe Australian Commonwealth not yet having adopted penny posbagejetters for Australian Colonies must be prepaid Kd per half ounce If only prepaid one penny they will be surcharged doable the deficient postage Express delivery and special messenger services will be established ab Ashburton as irom Ist January 1901. Fxpreos delivery will cover letters and parcels not) exceeding three lbs In weight, for which an extra fee of sixpence has been paid, The special mes senger earvica means placing a messenger at the disposal of any telephone exchange subscriber on request being made, and a fes of sixpence for the first mile and threepence each additional mile up to two miles or time payment being made

Commercial.

United Press ABeoiiation—by Einctrio Telegraph—Copyright

(Received Wakapuaka Jun 11, 9 22 a m, This office 730 pm London, January 10 Wheat—The MacDuff'e cargo from New Zealand «old at 2di 6d. The American visible supply of wheat is estimated at 88,456,000 buahele. Woo!— The Antwerp aalea have closed, and have fully maintained the advance in prices, Four thousand nine hundred and eighty eight bales were sold, including 84 Australian, out of 10S offered. At the tallow Bales 2350 casks were offered, and 1450 sold. Mutton, fine 29s 3d, medium 265; beef, One 27s 9d, medium 26s 6d. Sydney, January 11 A parcel of sooured wool sold for 1« Id, the record for the Beacon.

DUNEDIN WOOL SALES.

United Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph | Duneoin, January 11 ! At the second Dunedin wool sales, held to-day, fchera was a large attend-.wee of buyers, and competition was keen and bidding spirited. The prices realised were about the same aa at the first sale. 9933 bales were offered.

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET

The Ashburton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers 1 Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on January 11, 1901:— Wheat- Prime milling Pearl «, 2s 2d „ „ Tuscan.. 2s 3d „ „ Hunter's 2s Id Oate—Dune — Is s£ii Danish Is s|d Canadians la Id Sparrowbills Is 6d Barley—Malting, prime 2s Inferior Is 6d Peas—Partridge, 2a 3d Chafi—Good oatsheaf 50a to 52 6d Grass Seed—Old paatare, 2s to 2s 3d New „ Is 6d to Is 9d The above are prices current paid to farmers on fcruoka at Aahburton.

SALE OF HORSES

Messrs Mating and Shallcrass held a sale of horses »b Geraldine yesterday, when there was a largo attendance, and a fair entry of bones, 44 being submitted to auction. There was keen competition for good draughts, which were in short supply• There waa not mnoh competition for backs, which were a medium lot. Draughts sold from £9 to £14 for old horses, and others from £22 to £45 10a; hacks £10, £14 Its to £18, and unbroken colts up to £18: A lob of traps and sundries were sold after the horse tale

Asburton Guardian Magna est veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1901. THE PRESS IN NEW ZEALAND.

We cordially congratulate our con temporary the LytteMon Times upon having, yesterday, reached its fiftieth anniversary. Its career is identified with the history of Canterbury, and no one who has followed the course of events in this province, and in the colony of New Zealand, will deny that the Lyttelton Times has be/no an influential and honorable part in assist ing to make that history. Even the 'political opponents of the paper will readily acknowledge this. There have cveo been occasions when the Times has been largely instrumental in bringing about political changes, the party now in power having received the support of Canterbury ia ousting the former occupants of the Treasury benches mainly through the instrumentality of the Lyttetton Times. Most newspapers of any consequence have a time when circumstances com bine to enable them to exercise an exceptional influence tipon con temporaneous opinion. More than ODC9 thla happened ia the history of

the Lyttelton Times, notably in the! tilootioim in 18.)}? There have boon other oxiunplru itt Mm i:ovn"t*» of the la tit half cmiiuiy iv wiiioli (hopnwerof tho press Ima imnti oxtiroiacti by t\w Times in a 1 iihlin ill ietia m»)j>h»tiu infMilHUf, Ulld, Wfi I'.crly (idtitcoa in Him fim juris y of cusea with •'tmilt dk Mini? ami iitii iiDUSltry. A|ilnnit*li no jiiiißun w«ll versed in ]<uli Halls! !ii nidttriiiJ in thin uolony IB ipiHiinnt. of llun viinl alrulnii inndo by tilirt jntirid it* Nmv Z'oituul, yet a j r.OllipalteOik htsf;W(ttm lilh tit'Htj is§£l6 Of ! t,!u> Tiiura in !Hi>L nm! tho naiuber in wiiioli i.ho jul)ile«t of Clio papor is rci-.ot'tlad utirtuialy alturdu n striking illssatrutirta of graatnoHfi of the advance m»do. Oar ooutemporary tuirly repre tuinta tho oliiiifi of t^wcipuper which 18 to the puopio living in the liirgor centt'os of population of which fche OhrUtoharoh Press, Otago -Daily Times, Dusiedin Star, W©l!i»gton Post, Mew Zealand Times and Auckland Herald are farther examples. No one can look afc any of theee joornals without having to admit that tho news paper press has kept well abreast of othsr enterprise* in the march of progress. Not only do the city dailies Bead out every twenty-four hours the latest news from all parts of the world, bat every week some of their establish menta— of which the Lyttelton limes fe one — isßue weekly journals, more correctly magazines, which, taken as a whole, are equal, if not superior, to any similar publications in the world. It is only fair to the smaller newspapers in the colony to say that although in the nature of things they cannot be expected to present such marked evidence of journalistic enterprise m their con temporaries in the great centres of New Zealand, they as a whole, well maintain the high reputation which the press of this country has earned. The motto of most of our newspapers is <• ever forward," and not one can long lag behind in the onward march. The inventions of the age are being constantly utilised and the country newspapers are rapidly following along the path opened up for them by their city contemporaries. We trust the Lyttelton Times will be still flourishing in 1951 and that this paper may be in a position to congratulate our contempor ary upon its hundredth anniversary. Doubtless its career will extend even beyond that, but we^will not venture to speculate further on the" possibilities before it.

Local and General.

Land Board—A masting of the Canter bury Land Board was held on Thursday.- The only matters of local Interest were tha following:—The Board decided to reoom mend that a freehold title be granted bo Thomas Johnstone, Rakaia, for deferred payment) license No. 800. The lease of lot 43, Highbank, was declared forfeited. Peel Forest—Our Peel Forest correspon dent writes:—ln my notice re the concert at Peel Forest, I omitledtwo items—Recitations by the Rev T. Fee, which were quite features of the evening's entertainment. We netted JB3 6s for our Vicarage Btable fund. Personal—We regret to learn that Mr Harry Hardley has beau somewhat seriously unwell for a week or two, and is at present under the doctors.-The friends of Mr Con borne our local Btationmaster will bo pleased to nee that he ia sufficiently recovered from hio long illness to be able to resume his official duties. New Railway Plant—A cable messaga h>s been received by tho General Manager for Railways, stating that the twenty two engines ordered from the Baldwin Works afc Pnilodelphta for the New Zjaland Railways will ba shipped this mont < at New York accordirg to contract; An Unvscal Visitor.—A largo whale was seen in Lyttelton harbour, near the reclamation breastwork, about six "'clock on Thursday morning Few people noticed it, and no attempt was made to interfere with it). Wirth's ClßOUS—Despite the threatening weather last evening, there was a good attendance at Wirth Bros.' Royal Circus. Four large tents were erected, and at the entrance approaching the main tent was xhibited the menagerie, including an elephant, bears, Ugers, etc. Tho perform* ance opened with some excellent horizontal bar work, followed by equeslarian feats of a j high order, the horsea «nd ponies showing marvellous training. A varied entertainment was given, in which the interest of the audience was riveted from start to finish, and frequent applause showed that thoae present! thoroughly enjoyed the performance. 1.G.0.F., M.Ui — The installation of officers of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, No. 6003, took place last evening as follows:—NG, Bro W* Thompson; ?G, Bro John Tarton ; G M, Bro John Newman; E S, P6 Bro H. Thompson ; R 8 to N G, Bro F. Thomas; L S fco NG, Bro T< Johns ; R S to VG, Bro EL Braddell; L S to VB, P& James Patterson; W, P3 Bro J. Nicholas j6, PG Bro A. Pateraon. The newly elected brothers returned thanks, and after routine business had been disposed of, the lodge was closed in the usual maneer bytheNG. Temperate Legislators.— The demand for temperance drinks at tha Homo of Com mons bars is said by a London correspondent to be steadily increasing, despite the exist ance in the cellars of a vat holding 700 gal lons of Scottish whisky.' la the summer months the demand for lemon squash is co great that that the attendants make a prac tice of providing several large bottles of lime juice before the day's sitting begins; and ginger beer, especially that supplied in stone boitles, ia in constant request. The most surprising feature, however, of tha hot weather consumption is in connection with barley water, several big oans of which are exhausted every evening ia the lobby bar alone). Latterly lager beer has been much in evidence in the dining room. Fob thh Ladies—Vegetables on ra us are thu latest fad of fashion. Grapes and cher ries were spring favourites, and later pretty velvet strawberries were in great demand. Carrots are now seen on very smart hats. They are unique and decorative by reason of their brilliant colouring, although they savour of the utilitarian too much to be strickly decorative. But, as they are the very newest thing out, they have met with favour '& feminise eyes. A blaok hat that has just arrived from Paris is relieved by a bunch of these brilliant-hued edibles. Beets are also Been in the millinery world for the first I time. The crimson root > looks as if they ! had been carefully peeled and are topped by I masses of foliage, Quite as rich in colour and hardly so plebeian in appearance as carrots are tomatoes. Thny come in all sizes, and range from a greenish pink to a deep purplish red. Horses for the Contingent—A good deal of disappointment) has been caused to mem bers of the contingent now en route for South Africa by the system of selecting troops horsesi It was announced that volunteers having horses of their own might have them purchased at a valuation if they could pass a veterinary examination* But as a matter of fact hardly any of the horses so presented have passed owing to any technical unsound ness being considered a bar to selection! We happen to know of one case of this kind in which the horse offered by a trooper had bees in his hands since it was broken in; It is just about the stamp of animal required, being % sturdy cob about 14. 3 good colour, and practically Bound. It is trained to military revolutions and will follow its owner and come to his call anywhere. Bub because it had a recent out on its leg through being entangled in some barbed wire, the government 'vet.' condemned it. Naturally the trooper regrets having to part with his old favourite. One would suppose that If a j man is willing to take the risk, if any, the authorities, might) hare done so too.

Unimprovhd Values, —The .poll - at' Waimate yesterday on the queatioxr of the ndoption of the Rating on Unimproved V*l* ues Aob, resulted bb follows ;—For, 235 ; ugninst 61 ; informal, 14. The proposal was carried. Increase ov Capital.—An extraordinary m< elms.' of the tliureholdeia of the Canter bury Fff zm Moat»n<l D-iiry Produce Export ! Company, Limited, wbb held yesterday, Mr W Ghryatall, chairman of directors, in the chair. The resolution passed at the meet ing held on Deoemher 20th, by which the capital of <hn company is lo be increased from £76,C00 to £100,000, by the issue of 2500 shares of £10 each, was duly confirmed. Two Smakbs Found in Ireland—lreland's total immunity from anything in the shape of a snake has been bo remarkable (says Country Life) that the appearance of two lately iv County Wicklow has created quite a stir among naturalists. Some time since a snake, measuring 20in, was killed on the estate of Sir Robert Hodeon at Hollybrooke, Bray, and just before another was killed on the property of Dr Thompson, near Delgany It in thought thati the makes, which were quits harmless, came across the Channel with a consignment of «hrnbi. Find of Diamonds in British Tekbitoby —Another large find of diamonds has bees made in Mia rivers of British Guiana. (The last find, whlah was made by, on an average, tea men, working for a period of six weeks, numbered 831 diamonds, valued locally at from £400 to £500. They wera found in the Upper Mazz iruini, a great tributary of the ttsgequiho Riveir, almost in the centre of the colony, about 190 miles inland direct, or about 280 miles' journey along the rivers. A Hkro of Simon Kop.—Mt Winston Churchill, giving his lecture on the war in Bradford lately repeated the story of the officer of the Middlesex Regiment who was shot whilst encouraging his men on Spion Kop despite the jocricg of Thorneyeroft's men. He said be bad only been able that night to fix the identity of that officer, and he was proud to give to the world the name of that brave and heroic man, who hithei to had nob received tihe honor to which he was fairly entitled. It was Lieutenant HA C Wileon son of the Rev Aif Wilson, vicar of St Michael's and All Angels, Ohiswlok. A Sensible Idea—The woman engaged in a profession finds herself in a difficulty as regards her social duties, and ia beginning to ask herself how ehe can attend her friend's drawing-rooms on their "at home" days, and at the same time perform her work in a satisfactory manner, Tha matter is a most difficult one to nettle. It is too much to expect a busy woman to keep up the pleasant little civilities that lei-ured women eDjoy so much and exact from their friends, and it is a question whether they should not make life easier for their less leisured sister by permitting h^r to send her card through the medium of the penny post, What Will Fbance Do Next—The Paris correspondent of the Times writes s— The great lesson to be obtained from this international effort will gradually disappear, and, in spite of certain mistakes, itu dispro portionate dimensions, unsystematic organi sation, and nneucoostful private enterprises the Exhibition is a worthy olose to the cen tury. In default of special reasons which cannot be forecast, France is not likely I think, to hold another Exhibition at least in the first quarter of the coming century. The random predictions that France, at the close of the Exhibition, would be drawn into dis turbing the peace of the world will, I am convinced, be falsifiada It 1b a calumny to France to allege that she will now have her hands free for mischief, and has been thus far on her good behaviour merely for fear of injuring the Exhibition. France has no need of chains, either of iron or of flowers to prevent her imperilling the security of herself or others. When a nation, with rare exceptions, has remained quite during all these montha, it certainly desires tranquillity and the ambitious and discredited fanatics who are about to shout for Mr Kroger must nob be mistaken by the world for a demon stration by Franca, who will now calmly turn to the serious problems demanding her attention.— Times

Scarcity of Harvest Hands.

; The following correspondence has been handed to us by Mr Hugo Friedlander :— (Telegram) The Hon. the Acting Premier, Wellington As there is a very great scarcity of manual labour, and as it is of the utmost importance not only bo oar farmers, but also to the State that every possible assistance is give n to enable the former to gather their crops as quickly as oironmitanoeb will admit, may I be allowed to suggest that the N. Z. Govern* merit atop all such cooperative works as it j can conveniently do, and thus supply a wmt greatly felt by one of the mainstays oi this I colony.— Hugo Friedlander

(Telegram) Hugo Fbiedlandeb Ashburton In reply to your telegram there are only some seven hundred tnen employed by the Government in the South Inland, and much as the Government lei anxious to assist the farmers in every way,, the course suggested cannot at present be adopted. There is a universal demand for the prosecution of many of the public works that are,in hand, the greab majority of which are for the convenience of settloru, and if a stoppage in the direction indicated were made, the attempted cure would, I am afraid, be worse than the disease; I may add that the Government) has previously had some ezperi* enoe in the matter, and the coarse suggested by you was then tried s>nd did not work as was anticipated,and caused very general dissatis faotion, 3, G: Ward.

(Telegram) Hugo Fbibdlandisr Fsq Asbbarton. Minister of Public Works telegraphs me, he thinks that labour department could arrange for ft supply of any labour that may be required* I will give instructions for the head of that department to communicate with you, and any assistance that can be afforded will be readily given.— J. G, Wabd.

The Financial Crash in London

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyrighb

Received January 11, 944 p m) London, Jan 10 The Marquis of Dufferin presided at a meeting of the shareholders of the London and Globe Finance Corpora tion to consider the directors' circular, advising voluntary liquidation. Mr Wrighf, the managing director, explained that in order to obtain control of the Lake View Consols shares, he negotiated a loan of half a million till March 31st, and gava aa security forty thousand Lake View Consols shares and other securities. Those who were the lenders of the money sold the same, and during the I following days he personally advanced a quarter of a million to avert a crisis. The directors had practically arranged with the creditors, and hoped to pay their liabilities in full. The meeting unanimously adjourned till Monday, when the reconstruction scheme will be submitted.

A Christchurch Sensation.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Chbistchurch, Jan 11 A very unpleasant irumour was in circula tion this afternoon concerning a gentleman having a high official position in Christ* ohuroh. It ia alleged that) he left Christ oburch two or three weeks ago for Australia, and on arrival there was joined by a married lady, who is very much hie junior, and who is well known in local society. They have been spending the Christmas holidays in Melbourne and Sydney. Ths gentleman haa left his wife and family behind him, and it is reported has written to his solicitors stating that he has no intention of returning to New Zealand or of opposing any pro* oeedings the husband of his present companion n».y take to leonro a divorce* J

The Northern Maori Seat

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, J*n 11 Returns received by the Government leave no doubt that Mr Hone Heke has been re elected by a considerable majority.

Another Sea Monster

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Perth, January 11 A sea monster, sixteen feet lung, fourteen feet in girtb, with a fin near the head, a spear head Bnoafr, four feet, long and like a swordfieh, a larga month with no teeth, and a tail like a whale I has been washed ashore near Fre mantle. The curator of the museum and other authorities have failed to i classify it. It may throw some light or recent serpent stories.

Interprovincial.

Unl t«d Press Association—By Electric Telegraph WeliL'Soton, Jan 11 As Mr Napier Bell cannot come to New Zealand to take a seat on the Midland Railway Commistioa till next month, the acting-Premier has decided that the work be done entirely by Messrs A Morrison, B MoKenzie, Hudson, and Buok. He has i suggested that the Commission begin its sittings on the 25th fast in Wellington. Finding that the present General Post Office buildings are now too restricted, Government has decided to purchase the whole of the remaining property on the blook now partly occupied by the Post Offics with & view to making a considerable extension. ; New Plymouth, January 11 | i Mr Stanford, S.M, gave judgment this mcrningin a case in which a tollgabe keeper prooeeded against one, Rawlings, for evad ing toil by leaving the main road within 300 yards off the gate. The information was dismissed on technical grounds Gisbobne, Jan 11 A ship, supposed to be the Grace Harva, from Otago Heads, was seen by a trawler at 10 o'clock this morning apparently heading up b»y 1 Napier, January 11 ' The Auckland cricketers arrived by the Mararoa from Welliagton this morning, Had subsequently were taken for a drive in the country. The weather promises fine for the; opening representative match to-morrow Auckland, January 11 The Primitive Methodist Conference commenced here today. There were 55 delegates and the Rev W Potter w&s elected President and Rev E Drake Secretary. The first reading of stations took place, and Rev R Raine was again named for Ashburtcn Christchuroh, January 11 The New Zealand Swimming Association j has selected Malcolm E Champion to compete in the swimming championships to be held in Melbourne this month. He is coming down from Wellington to Chriatohurch to finish his training here. The twenty-fiye men who are going from Chr(stchurch to join the Canterbury Bough Riderß in South Africa are now in camp in the drillebed ground and will not leave for Wellington until Tuesday evening At Lyttelton to-day William J Kioley, T Clark, and G Hayden were committed for trial on a charge of wilfully damaging to the extent of £70 a ferris wheel, the property of J Stewart, of Petones The wheel had been erected ir readiness for regatta day, and the damage was done lata on New Year's eve A number of bowlers have arrived for the tournament which opens here on Monday At a meeting of the delegates of the Master Plumbers of New Zealand it was decided to form a Federated Association of Master Plumbers of New Zealand, and Mr J W Hardley, of Ashburton, was elected a provincial vice president. The fiftieth anniversary of the first publication of the Lyttelton Times was celebrated to day. During the day the editor received congratulatory telegrams from the Premier, the Postmaster General, the Minister of Labour, and the editors of all the other leading journals in the colony. This evening the premises of the Lyttelton Times Company were brilliantly illuminated and to.morrow evening the proprietors will entertain the members of the staff, number ing about 200, at a banquet

Commonwealth Affairs

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, Jan. 11 Sir William Lyne states that an additional High Commissioner for New South Wales will be appointed who will retain the Agent-General and appoint a commercial agent in London. London, January 11 The War Office is favourable to the Imperial troops visiting New Zealand, probably after their visit to Melbourne. Lord Brassey presided at a Common* wealth banquet held at the City Liberal Ciub. Universal regret was expressed at Sir J E Dickson's deatb, and i satisfaction at the manifesto by Mr Deakin, which expressed a desire to encourage the colonies to enter into Imperial trade, Lord Brassey wished United Austraiia "God speed, Estoj Perpetua." Lord Strathcona voiced Canada's greetiogs to the Common* wealth

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

A REASON FOB STERN MEASURES Received January 11, 9 52 p m London, Jan 10 General Count Yon Waldersee explains that the Boxers at Szehaichan, ihescetiG of the latest fight, terrorised the {district, and threatened Yonking and Ohauping. London, January 11 The Emperor and Dowager have in structed Linkunyi and Chang Chitung to proceed to Pekin or meet the Minis ters of the Powers elsewhere to try to secure modification of some of the clauses of the Peace terms, which, they declare, it Is impossible to accept The Dowager telegraphs to Pekm I promising the severest punishment of those indicated by the Note of the Powers, but no others A Chinaman from Singanfu reports that eighty five thousand Chinese troops are continuously drilling with modern arms. Anti foreign feeling ia also stated to be acute

The Cape Cable.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, Jan 11 Sir Win. Lyne haa instructed the Agent-General to sign the agreement with the Eastern Extension Gable Company for the Oape Oable. It pro vides for the reduction of rates from February Ist to 3s 6d per word for ordinary messages, 2s 6d for Govern ment messages, and Is 4d for Press messages. _

South Africa.

United Press Asscciation— By Electiic Telegraph- Copyright

COLONIAL PRODUCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

STRINGENT CONDITIONS OF SHIPMENT.

THE EAGERNESS OF THE AUSTRALIANS,

Received Jaa 11, 9 53 p m Adelaide, January 11 The War Office has accepted a tender through the Government for 300 tons of oaten hay for South Africa. The; Wai- Office wanted 8000 tons, bat the [ conditions of shipment were so stringent, thai it is doubtful if any [ further trade will be done. Sydney, Jan 11 The Governments of all the States are being inundated with volunteers for the South African Contingent.

London, Jan 11 A patrol of Weatralians, while breaking a wire fence near Richmond, came under close fire, bnt skilfully i evaded capture. A patrol of Brabant's ; Horse was ambushed at Richmond, Five were captured, stripped, and: released. Another patrol of Brabant's Horse avenged the incident by defeat ing the Boer patrol, killing the leader and capturing a number of horses. Recruiting and other defensive move' ments in Cape Colony and Natal are astonishingly rapid and complete. The Boers invading the western districts of^Cape Colony divided into two columns, advancing on OlanwiHiam and Worcester, The British occupied all the intervening strategical points. AH British soldiers stationed in Cairo capable of acting as mounted troops have been warned to bold them selves in readiness for despatch to South Africa. During a general attack on the Delagoa Bay line Boers penetrated the British lines at Belfast, and engaged in hand to hand fighting., The Gordon Highlanders and Royal Irish finally expelled them. Lord Kitchener's proclamation is gradually proving effective. There are indications that it has been determined to denude the districts unable to pro tect themselves, aud evacuate all towns j outside the British lineß of communi cation, arid abolish convoys. The Naauwpoort losses were due to Boers concealed in the grass allowing; the Hussars to scout uphill only, firing when the Imperial Light: Horse | ascended in close formation. The members of the Light Horse alighted and responded to the Boer i fire briskly, but as they were stiffening | considerably from the enemy's fire they were recalled, and having re- j formed, carried the position, by assault The Boer, tactics at Lindley, where Lang fell, were similar. Botha and Viljoen, whenever pressed retire north to recruit Lyttelton is at Belfast, but unable to follow the en?my in force The Boers, who have surrendered have been placed in refuge camps and are cheerfully assisting the British to recapture stock and punish marauders.

United Press Aawcci&tion—-By Electric Telegraph Dunedin, January 10 Wellington, Jan 11 Trooper Gray, of the Canterbury tection, received a contused ecaip wound, through being struck by a horse's forefoot white working in the camp lines. The wound, which was dressed by the camp surgeon, ia not a serious one.

RETURNING TROOPERS.

Captaia W E Dolman informs the Ash burton correspondent; of the Press that (Dr. O H Powell, who went; from CJreymouth to South Africa with the Fifth Contingent, !s being invalided home, and is on hoard the Orient. Trooper Powell was brought op from childhood to manhood by Captain a>id Mrß Dolman, and will go to visit them at Ashburton directly he laode in the colony. Trooper Alex Wilkia, another Aohburlon boy, who went out with the First; Contin gent, is also returning invalided, and ia on board the Orient. Both these young ■oldieri were prominent members of Sb Stephen's Church, Powell having been a Chorister lor a number of years, and Wilkie •a active Church worker up to the time of bis leaving for the fronti

The Federal Rifle Meeting.

United Frees Association—By Eieotrio Telegraph—Copyright

Sydney, January 11 The shooting today was very in and oat. Owing to the high wind it was difficult to hold on to the target. Robinson and Loveday of New Zea- ' land obtained £S each in the Queen Victoria match, and Ingpen, Tobin, Oox, J Wilson, and Robinson Ml each In the Hopetoun match Robinson, who stood pretty well in the Queen Victoria aggregate, had a bit of bad lock at 900 yards. His stock worked looie, and he did not notice it, with the result that ha got only nine points. Loveday mistook his range in the i Roberts match, and broke up; In the' New South Wales match, Scott, of New South Wales, and Carter, of Victoria, tied with 49. .Dodds won £2 with 46 Robinson fired well in the Roberts match, putting on 30 and SI at 700 and 800 yards.

The Death of Sir J R Dickson

United Frees Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, January 11 The Deputy-Governor cabled to the Governor-General of Australia expressing regret ab Sir J R Dickßoa'a death, and the acting-Premier sent a message of sympathy to Lady Dieksom Sydney, Jan 11 Mr Chamberlain has cabled to Lord Hopetoun, deeply regretting fclie loss sustained by the Commonwealth and Queensland on the death of Sir JS Dickson, and asking him to convey his sympathy to his family Mr Seddon telegraphed to Mr Bar ton fiom Brisbane his condolence on the death of Sir J R Dicksoo, and sym pathising wich the Federal Ministers in | the loss of a colleague. He says the people of New- Zealand, with the people of United Australia will mourn the loss of ao distinguished a ttatesman Brisbane, Jan 11 Sir J R Dickson will be buried with full State honours to-morrow. All public offices throughout the State will be closed

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright*

THE WALL STREET RAILROAD GAMBLE New York, Jaa 10 As a result of the Wall Street gamble fm railway stock, Mr Cornelias Vanderbilt, by welding the Chicago railways with the Union Pacific line, controls the trsns-OontinentftS line. : A PROMISE. FOR A PROTECT. VB TARIFF i BiHLisr, January 10 , Baron yon Bulow, the Chancellor, in a speech, promised to impose a protec tive tariff, so as to give the produce of the eastern provinces supremacy over the western when the canals, including the Stettin to Berlin canal, were completed, THE PLAGUE Constantinople, January 10 A death from plague is reported here, , AUSTRALASIAN STUDENTS' UNION. Ftdkbt, Jan 11 A convention and Bummer school of the Australian Students' Union ii being held at Bowral, 80 miles south of Sydney. Messrs Crump and Mawaoa, New Zealandere, are auwngst thß visiting delegate s. ADELAIDE LOSES THE FRENGH MAIL STEAMERS. The French mail steamers in future will not call at Adelaide in voyaging to Australia, the contract time not being sufficient to allow of the visit being made since Fremantle has keen made a port of call. OUR NEW REAR-ADMIRAL. Albany, January 11 Rear Admiral Beaumont, wiio sue ceeds Rear Admiral Pearson on the Australasian Station, is a passenger in the Oroya, which hag arrived from London. His staff arrived in Sydney by the Warrimoo via Vancouver SEVERE EARTHQUAKE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Perth, January 11 A severe earthquake was experienced over a large area in the north west. It lasted two minutes, and buildings were much shaken, but no damage was done. GREAT BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES t Ottawa, January 11 Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Premier, responding to the Imperial toast at ft meeting held at Osgoode, Ontario, raid that although the present relations be tween Great Britain and her colonies were satisfactory, nobody supposed that this would last. When new problem! relating to closer union arose they would be solved on the strictest lines, of C»n» dion nationality and British citizenship. New York, January 11 The Andrew Carnegie Company, American manufacturer?, rare establish* ing steel pipe tube manufactories in Ohio »fc a cost of three million sterling. Mr Carnegie declares th»t America holds the world's steel market at its mercy. ARbENICJN FOOD" AND DRINK. London, January 10 A Rojal Commission h«u been ap pointed to report on the safeguards against arsenic in food and drink. EPTBAORDINARY FALL OF RAiH. Fhiseane, Jan 11 Nine inches of rain have fallen, and the Buwen railway line hts been flooded. Two unknown swagmen were drowned whilst crossing the Burdekin river at Clare. COLONEL JAM FOR THE. WAR OFFICE. Sydney, Jan 11 Thd War Office have accepted the offer of four hundred thousand pound tins of New South Wales jam*.

Extraordinary Charge of Bigamy

At the Oler ken well Police Court, on November 28, Frederick Hall, 30, described as a commercial traveller, of Clarence Street, Islington, wag charged with feloniously intermarrying, on October 18, with Mary Ann Dormer, lat the Registry Office, Beading, his wife, Marion Hall, being then and now alive. The prisoner was farther charged with stealing £11 from Mary Ann Dormer.—Mr Rowe prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury. Mr Howe said the case was a very important one regarded from a criminal ! point of view. The facts showed that , the prisoner practised a very heartless and cruel system of deception and pillage towards servant girts and other women in a similar position of life. His mode of procedure wag to advertise in newspapers as a mechanic who desired matrimony. He stated that he wa<! tbirty years of age, earning good wages, and that he wished to correspond with a domestic servant with some small means. The replies were to be sent to the office of the newspaper in which the advertisement; was inserted and addressed to a num ber. Answers wonld be sent to the advertisements, and meetings wonld be arranged. The prisoner would meet these girls and women. He would at first borrow small sums of money from them, and afterwards go through a form of marriage with then at a registrar's office. It seemed that he then went abont with them to various parts of the country, and having got from them ail the money they bad, he would pledge their jewel* lery and trinket?. That was followed by desertion, his invariable excuis for 1 leaving them being that he was about to seek employment. Having deserted one, he would at once proceed to practise his deception on another girl. He had, in fact, been intriguing with two girls at the same time living with one while he was deceiving another. Mr Rowe continued that it had only that morning come to his knowledge that when the prisoner commenced tbis system of fraud he was a married man. In 1894 he married a young woman named Selioa Hill, at Leeds* He lived with her in that town until November 8 last year. It wab in that month that he started this system of fraud. He first of all became acquainted with Mary Beale, a widow, whom h« married in the nama of John King, at the registry office, Cheltenham, on January 6 last, She had a house and furniture, but he sold up her pro perty, stating that he was ah engine

THE ASHBURTOM (KiABDIAfI • BATtJRDAt, JANUARY 12, 1901



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/CARPENTERS Too!n at bedrock priwi, %^j Registrar Grates from 12s 6d, Tilad Registrars and Mantlepieooa complete, from 52s 6d. Oar prices defy oompotit cc—' Habdlbyßbos



Smoke New Vettus



P5 O * o . g. S«> R < p^ ao ' « i I biO X* -w I.s & c i*M o °»g 1.. tf -*s Si J EI 5 « fc Sl"* § « GO



FOR SALE. BY PRIVATE TREATY. iAAA ACRES i AAA 4UUU acres 4UUU OF splendid Grazing and Grain growing Land, situated to the far famed dis* triot of South Canterbury, one mile from Railway Station; 15 roomed House, 4 roomed Cottage, Woolahed and Bip f Stable and Outbuildings, divided into 15 Padetaoks, all well watered. The property is now carrying 8000 Sheep, also Horses and Cattle. Price £5 per acre. Terms Apply E W HANMER, AshburtiOD MONEY ON MORTGAGE. I HAVE a Bum of £20,000 to lend on grab class freehold Security of farm bod at 4£ per cent, in sums to suit borrowers F FERRIMAN Tenders. TREVORTON TfIENDEBS are invited for Leasing, for a X term of 5 yeare, hoaaa of 9 rooms, with 23 acres of land; good garden and orchard, Within H miles of the Fobs Office, Tenders are fco be in fey noon ou WEDNESDAY. Fall particulars on application to the jnder.lgued.l y FERRMAN TXT ANTED TestdeM for Stookteg and V W Forking aboufe 800 Acres (more or < leas) of grain crop. Tenders olono next SATURDAY, January tgbh. _ Further partiou!ar» aft Farmers' Uo-opeif&» tive Asßooiatioc Offioe»i -„.«.»»„ 1 co G. W. LBADLKYi mjSJNDERS are invited for boilding Grain JL Store at Tlnwald foe Messrs Friedlau. der Bros Limited. Plans and specification! ab my office. Tenders oloae Thursday Jan uary 17th* The loweit or any tender not necessarily accepted. _ ¥WTI R BIRD) I Architect You can depend on ridding yonr ohildren of worms with Wade's Worm Fig*, *oe wonderful Worm Worries—la



PARENTS ARE INVITED fO INSPECT OUR STOCK OF BOYS' CLOTHING, "OOYis' Gaard Suits 8a 6d ; Boys' Blonses 4a Boys' Norfolk Suits 12s 6d j Washing Saita 2a 6d 19 Abaent-Mioded Beggar" Suits IBs 6d Beat Value to be obtained anywhere. Men's Sac Strifes from 2ls to 65s Men's Trou'Bers 7s 6d ; Teianis Trousers 12a 6d. 4 nice variety of Summer Ooatu in Kbarki Serge, Sattein, Alpeca, Etc. N-Z, CLOTHING FACTORY- F. H. BECKINGSALB, Manager.



■^ .-* ASK FOR -A t w fa •• * ■:>-*te,'-. NEW TARlFF^w^w-r 1 CHAMPION BLEND ■'(% OTHER PRICES:^-- YtVb {Aoz/z 2/4 a/8 tNO CHINA TEA USED BY US/



1 ' : FOR SALE, PURE & HALFBRED DAM WORTH PIGS rjPO Farmerß purchasing Half bred PIGS. W© ©r© prepared to buy them for Bacon, provided they are fattened on graim or Peas, FARMERS' MEAT SUPPLY CO* 2 6 J H Rule,



/ JAMES B^KER, FOBKISHIKG WAEKHOUSB, W (Havelook Street;) TTE guarantees to Ball at Ohrlstchuroh prices for Cash or Time Puyments. 1 14



SI ILL ADVANCING. CRAIGHEAD & BEBBTMAN HAVE jaafc opened out, ex B.a. Paparoa from liondon, the largest shipment of New Goods they have hitherto imported, comprising the most up to date Baitings from the best Manufacturers aa now worn at Home. Their immense stock of Fashionable [Tailoring Goods now affords customers such a splendid range of new materials of guaranteed quality and Btyliah patterns to choose from as should please even the moat • fastidious, and their prices, workmanship, ] and fib will compare favorably with those of the leading firms in Ohriatohurch or ofeher cities. They are also showing a grand lot of new Hate, Shirts, Ties, Boots, eto., this season Ouutomers would do well to place their orders early as 0. & B have already » argsi pumber of ouitß on the books promised before Xrnao. 11 140



The Equitable Life Assurance Society, of U.S Head Office for New Zealand—Wttllingtea* DIRECTORS, with power to i»ane Policieu and pay olatmt: H D Batt, Esq, Chairman. i Pbboy M Thomson, Impeotorol Agenoiw. Albbm mlrtin, Esq. MD. | B Tkkvob Govw, Reliant Secretary; ■■ STRONGEST LIFE ASSuSIiaCE SOCIETY IN THE WOKLD Financial Position. „„,,«, Asßurar.ee in foro« £219«2M I ! ar PlB? ? w liMm«* "' Slf'Sl'lZs Aocumulated fueds £58,573,185 | Annual inoomo .« - £11.286,145 A Mutual Office. All tmrplua belongs to the policy holders. Send for particulars of the Guaranteed Caen Value Policy. NlCOfr BROS, Agents, Aahborbon. 12,47



NICOLL BROS. Nroott. E F Nicoi.l, L A Nioou-. Merchants & General Agents, BUYIfiFS OF FAT SHEEP & LAMBS. 4. GENTS FOR- Ohrlatchuroh Meat Coi, Ltd Islingtoa Fertilisers Little's Sheep Dip Ocean, Accident and Guarantee Corpora tion, Ltd United Insnranoe Co., Ltd. (Fire and Marine.) i (3BAIN BOOGHT AND SOLD ON COM MISSION W© ahull be pleased to receive samples rom farmers who have parcels for disposal . Ssamon Books Kbpi and Audioto. We have received earns of Trasfc Monks. rwging from £100 to £1000, to lend on Freehold Securities at fl£ a,nd b per cent* PEUI T. We reseive regular Consignmeata from Auckland, Sydney, and the Inlands ,md have in stock Apples, Pears, and Emit In season »U the year rounds SEEDS. We stack Clovers, Ryograss, Bape, and Craraip Seed of reliable qaalifcy. j



MELLOR'S ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE IS THE KING OF -BOOT SHOPS. 'pronounced by the Ashburton Publ.is' to bs fc'-e Cheapest and Most Reli&ble Boot Shop in Athburton. npHE Foia/)\vIN:; IS A FFW F oVB. PFICES:- Men'n Good Blachers, great value ... ••» ••• s *J™ Men's Good Shooter Boots from ... ... '" ?Ji Men's L?ghb Sunday Boot, good value, at ... ... |9 oa Ladies' Pretty Oxford Shoes from ... ... ••• »a «* Ctii'dren's Boors from ... ••• ••• *a ™ B-ys' Strong School B( ots, very cheap; only ... ... ** °i Ladies' Leather Slippers from" ... •«. ••• _f s „? Urn's OBnvas Shoes ... ' «•• ••• 6» m Avd a Thooß^Bd Other Lines that Defy Oompafeitlon at J. MELLOR'S ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE, TANORED STREET, ASHBURTON.