Commercial.

\ ! i'J Ji M 1 QUti MARKET The Ashbnrton Agency of tha New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Awooiation of Canter bury. Ltd, quote as (follows on March 8, 1901:— Wheat— * Prime milling Pearl 2» 2d ,12*' m.• Tuscan... 2a 2£d „ M Hunter'g 2*\ Id ■ New O*te—Dunß la 21 toluol „ DanUh Is 2d to la 2JI  Sparrowbilla la 3d „ Canadian 1« 4d Barley—Maltiog, prime] 2s; Inferior la 6d Peas— Partrirtpp, 2^ 3d Ohaff—-Good oattheaf 37s 6d ( Gr*»« Seed—New la to la 6d The above are priota current paid to farmers on ri-uck* at) Ash barton,

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1901. Local and General.

Weather Rkport — Ouptoin Edwin fore 1 oasts:—-North to west and southwest gale ; gtatk fall; indications of rairu St Patrick's Sooibit's Sports—Train arrangements for the 8b Patricks sports meeting on Thursday are adverted in this issue. Thb Seventh Oontingbn*—Tha Ofloer Commanding announces thab racruting for the South Canterbury portion of the Seventh Contingent is closed. Chaege ©» Indsohkt Assault —Tht assault oars adjourned from last Monday was j heard today before Messrs Qoieman and Upton justices, with dosed doors. After hearing leagthy evidence, the bench dis* missed the oaie. Escapees from Bubnham School—Two j escapees from Burnbam Industrial School were found on Satarday on * farm close to the institution. They had killed a ghaep and ] wore boiling the lege in backets when the farmer oame upon them, and after a smart chase caught them and took them back to Bntßhum. Accident.—Mr Robert Houston farmer above Winohmore met with an accident about a half mile on this side of the Winch more homestead yesterday. Whiu dririr g home the horse shied And he was thrown out of th« trap one wheel of which passed over | his chest, Mr Hart sent a trap home with him and beyond a tevsre shaking he did nob appear much the worce for the accident. The Small Birds Nuisance.—A return was lately laid before the Lsvels County Council by the clerk showing that between the Ist of Sptember, 1900, and 28th of February, 1901, the council had purchased 56, 158 dozen eggs, and 8422 dozen heads of email birds; 4368 dozen eggs, and 1432 heads of blackbirds And thrushes, at a ooit j to the council of £400. Personal;'—Mr Alfred Harrison, who, we ' regret to say, Is not recovering from hit 112' ne»B as fast as could be wished, left by the , forenoon train today tt> enter the Str&tb' more Hospital, Christchuroh, where he will receive the advice and be under tha care of the belt medical men in the oity.—Mrs Caleb WhUefoord, who has been spending a few days in Ashbarton with b«r brother, Mr I Henry Willis, retarded to Ghristohnreh this morning, Bmbingbubn Sheep Dipping Coy.—The annual meeting of the Springbura Sheep Dipping Coy• was he!d on Saturday when there wae a good attendance of shareholders The financial report was considered saHsfact. ! ory, and the secretory was instructed to j notify that the Dip would be open during the month r.f April only. Quotations for several well known dips were considered, and it was I a lanimouEly reßolved to again use "Coopers" ouiing the approaching seasoa- The Black Laboub Question.—The Maokay (Queensland) iSugar Journal, com menting on Mr Barton'd attitude towards the coloured labour question, says'the real ieeue is entirety overlooked. The Pemler's utterances are not only a danger to the sugar industry, but extend that danger to any ffforto to establish coffee, tea, epiceiy and other purely tropical growths. The real question is the Battlement of the tropical lands, r.ot only of North Queensland, but of ihe whole or tropical Australia. Compara tively few reaihe the immensity of the whole problem. Kyle.—On Friday a very pleasant evening waa spent in the Ky.o schoolroom. In answer to invitations sent out by the Kyle Tennis Club, abous mxty oiuples graced the floor. Musio whs supplied by Messrs H Palmer and J Lambin (violins) and Mr McDonald (piano), and songs were contri buted by Messrs J Lanibie »nd J B i Carruthere, Miss Simpson and Mr Hanntbetl j playing the nccompanitneutß. Mr W Stewart made the efficient M C he has always proved on such occasions, and the refreshments, supplied by the ladies of the club, proved a aource of much pleasure to the gaests. The Moderaxok and thk Premier—The Rev 3 Kennedy Elliott, who lately protested in very earnest terms to the Premier against the train travelling and display of the Indian troops on a recent Sunday, has received an acknowledgment of his letter as follows :— • Premier's office, Wellington, 7th March, 19QL Key. Sir—Respeot for the position yoa hold, and ordinary courtesy, demand that I should acknowledge tha receipt) of your letter of 27th uU, and I accordingly do so.—l am, yours faithfully, R J Seddon.' Fouth African Hospital Commission— A good deal of adverse comment has appeared from time to time in both British and Colonial newspapers on the treatment of the sick and wounded in South Africa' A Commission to investi gate the complaints w«s appointed and evidence was given by medical m n, by 1 some of thrt highest military au'horities, including Lord Roberis, and by civilians who had been in South .' frica 'iarir,g the campaign. Oa January 22 the Commla sion iseaect its report and a frecis of it will be found on our first page. Wae Leotubb,—Our readers are reminded that Lieutenant Hughes'lecture takes place in the Oddfellows Hall tomorrow »nd Wed nesday evening when he wUI exhibit the Urgent collection of Boer cnrio» ever shown in Now % aland. The title of tomorrow oighn's lecture will be "Through tha Boer lines to Wepener,' in which he will recount EOme exciting scenes wherein our esteemed towns* nwn Lieutenant Fred Tuoker figures. The lecturer comes with excellent nerve from Sther centres where he has appeared and we have no doubt that a large audience will greet him en bi« appearance here. The box plan is as usual open at H M. Jones' A Useful Monthly— The Ymng Man's Magazine for March is to hand and is apt exceptionally attractive number. Mr Malcolm Boss, the well known Alpine climber, concludes his paper pn MJiviqaacs n the Southern Alps' whlgh Is illustrate^ with some very fine view* of photographs taken Ja the h!gh regions of the Mount Oook distrks 1-. Mr JH Johnson M.A., headmaster of the Main School Tlmaru, contributes an excellent; essay on Raskins ' Message to Yonng Men' and in the 1 Buslnass Series', Mr W Chrystall writes on * Observation. A paper well worth the attention of yoatsg business men. On the whole the mumber is one of the best, yet issued and reflects credit alike on editor and publisher. CONSULTING OPTICIAN j Mr Ernest M gaedstein, DB O A.", F R I ]VIO, who has lately returned after six yews? »p.9fiial study In England and Con tieent, $«»y bp popsulted on all oases of infective eyesight* Daylight no& peoeesa ry *etifioiftl light being us« 4, Pflptpre 1 pre «nrintiu n" prep»r»<J» Fees moderate. Cop Sag rooms, V^J^f^i «« ! Sandstein, jeweller, Ctr^tflhUfC* ©to i ?, to 6 daily Hnooke New Venus j

British Army Reform

United Preu AtnodatioD—By Eleotrio T»ltgraph—Copvrißht Lonbon, March 9 In the Hoaae of Commons Mr Brodrick unfolded a great army scheme, which was favourably commented on oa both side* of the House, The central feature in that tkere shall be six army oorps stationsd in , .as many districts, each oor{.a to be com-1 plainly equipped, and three always to be ready to go abroad, a largo portion of the War Office work devolving upon the com mandera of oorps, Mr Brodrick stated that the Home army in futnra would number 680,000 men, including 166,000 regular*, besidea 115,000 regulara in India and abroad j 80.000 reserve, 150.000 militia, 25,000 yeo- j manry, fc quarter of a million volunteers of increased effioienoy. The field army would compriie 260,000, home garrlaoai 190,000, and rolnnteert for the defenoa of London I*o,ooo, icclurilng forty heavy batteriei, leaving unallotted m sarplue of 130,000 men, repreaeoting the ttaff, etok, and recruits. The firifc three army corps w«re intended for immediate foreign service or the firat line of Home defence. The total additions to the forcea would be 125,000, costing under three millions annually. Tha training of troops would be remodelled, and there would be leas barrack drill A more pro fesaional spirit would be ezpeoted amongst officer*, whoao expense* would be reduced In unfolding his aoheme Mr Brodriok stated that Aldershot would be the head quarters of tho first corps, Salisbury Plain thai) of tha lecond, Ireland that of the third, Colchester of the fourth, Yors of the fifth, Edinburgh of the sixth. The last three would include sixty battalions of Militia and volunteers, both with field gnns and special training; The enro'ment of eight garrison regiments would release the equiva lent of regulars on the Mediterranean station. Five Indian regiments would replace the regulars garrisoning tropical fortresses. The Admiralty would under* take the defence of the smaller coaling atationa, thus releasing another five batta lions of regulars. A militia reserve of 50,000 men waa being formed, The yeo manry would be armed with riles, and, if possible, the colonial yeomanry would be affiliated for Imperial service. Two hundred of 4.7 inch guns and fi»!d guns had been ordered. Saoh corps would have its own barracks, maccenvriog grounds, Btaffs, stores and .^transport for complete service. No officer would bo employed on peace com* mand unices he was certified as fib for command in tioto of war The scheme aims *t the decentralising of administration, and the osntrftlißlng of responsibility

THE DEATH ON THE TALUNE.

THE INQUEST IN BYDNEY AN UNCERTAIN WITNESS United Press Association—by Electrio T«legt aph—Copy right Sydney, March 9 At the ioqueßt as to the death of Oonway, Murphy, a steward on the Talttne, deposed that shortly after 8 o'clock on the night of February 19th he saw Conway sitting with a lady on the hatchway. The lady had what appeared to be a small bottle of ale in her hand. After sitting together for some time the lady got up and went to the saloon. About twanty minutes after the l»dy had gone he saw Oonway ; its a state of collapse. Witness failed |to identify Mrs Smith as the lady he snw on the hatchway. Murphy gave similar evidence to McOombie with regard to Oonway's death. Thomas Mcßrydp, a passenger by the Talune, gave evidence that he saw a lady near Conway shortly before he was taken ill; but he could not identify her* JHe had seen Mrs Smith on board the Talune. At the inquest on Oonway, Murphy said he siw Con way just before he was taken ill, sitting on tho hatchway, with a lady. The witness pointed out Mrs Smith as the lady, He recognised her by her drees, not by her face. When his depositions were read ov*^ Murphy amended his statement, and said he did not recognise the l»dy in Court as the lady h$ saw on the hatchway. She, however, resembled the one on the hatchway in her drees and build. The inquest was adjourned till Tues day.

Chbjstohuboh March 9 What in expected to prove another link in the alaim, of evidence connected with the Oonway oaee waa unearthed at Sumnerthis afternoon. Wbila Mr J W Batters, a reeid* ect wan engaged cleaning und*>r a maorooarpa hedge in Nayland street he found a pigekin pocket book. On opening it the contents turned out to be a left luggage ticket and a penny stamp. The pooket book is eaid to correspond in every reßpoot with the one Conway lost at Sumner, Mr Butters immed* iafcely handed tha book over to the looal police eonstablei

SOUTH AFRICA

Unltad Press Association —By Eieotrlo Telegraph OPERATIONS. London, March 8 A total of 979 Boers are known to hare been disabled since the operations in the Eastern districts commenced. Five thousand more cuttle, and four teen thousand sheep, with a hundred waggons and much forage and ammuni tion have been captured at Steitackers Scouts unearthed treasure worth several thousand at Helpmakasr. Renter's representative at Delagoa Bar reports that news has reached there that Lord Kitchener granted Botha seven days' armistice. Other reports! | show that the Boer leaders and Lord ! Kitchener have been negotiating at $pddlesbti?g for several days. The Pretoria correspondent of the Times reported on Wednesday that the negotiations between Botha and Lord Kitchener, at Middlebnrg, were in abey ance, pending the British Government's answer to the proposals submitted. The Daily Chronicle states that Botha and ft majority of his officers ap proved of Lord Kitchener's terms of a general amnesty to all who surrender, also for the prisoners, excepting the chief Gape Colony rebels, Great Britain to help in reinstating those amnestied on their farms. Be Wet and Steyn are excluded. They replied to Botha that they were irreconcilable to terms. The correspondent of The Timts at Colonel Bethnne'e headquarters, under date Wednesday, reports that De Wet, with 700 hundred men, traversed Faure emith northwards, early in the week, a few hours in advance of Colonel Bnthune 1 and Colonel Plumer. A cordon of ' Theron's scouts masked the enemy's i movement*. When Colonel Bethune j arrived it lUet' ftfrtjr, &he euei^ay were ;in view, rallying farther north. They £;^*aa£L fettered removing all the tbTwhites and blac^, l^J to format information to the British. Colonel Bathuoei on Wednssday nur prifeda Boer laager, and captured many male waggons, and much stock. The Daily Telegraph's carrepposdent

[states that Colonel Plainer on Tuesday killed nineteen Boers near Fauregmitb. De Wet, by weans of a rase, sent Commandant Froneman, with 400 men, to trek north. They crossed the Modder Hirer Dear Abraham's Kraal, on Wed* nesday, while Steyn, De War, and the remainder of the force were resting near Sprmgfontein. Three hundred raiders have occupied Maraißburg, imprisoning Mr O R Van* ghan, 'Resident Magistrate, and four police. The British had previously transferred all their foodstuffa and clothing to Cradock,

The Trouble in East Africa

ABYSSINIAN CO-OPERATION United iPress Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright *'*'H London, March 3 Major the Hon A H O Hanbory- Traey, of the Royal Horse Guards, on special service in East Africa, and Captain A R Oobbold, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, are proceed ing to Addis Abbeba to adviae Rag Makonnen, the Emperor of Abyssinia's generalissimo, who is leader of twenty thousand Abyssinian troops co-operat ing with the British expedition from Bardera, on the Jab river, against; the mad Mullah in Northern Somaliiand.

A ffairs in China

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph London, March 9 Obina replies in a fortnight to Kus iia regarding the ratification of the Mancharian Convention

The New Coinage

TBE DECIMAL SYSTEM SUGGESTED. ■United Press Association—By Kleetrio Telegraph—Copyright London, March 3 I Mr A J Brigg, the member for Keighley, suggested in the House the postponement of the issue of tha new coinage until the decimal system wai introduced The Eight Hon A J Balfour thought the country was not prepared * for the fundamental change involved

The Scene in the Commons

United Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph—Copyright LoNDtH March S In bis resolution amending the Standing Orders, Mr B&lfour accepted a modification that each member named should be summoned separately to obey the Speaker, 1 An amendment, proposed by Lord Hugh Cecil, to add imprisonment !□ future cases, until further orders, w»s resisted even by the Government. Lord Cecil offered to withdraw, hut the Nationalists claimed a division, and the amendment was negatived by 426 to 0, amid lauwhtftr and cheers. An amendment to shorten the period of suspension was rejected.

Another Embezzlement Case.

At Chriptehurch on Satnrday afternooD, a young man named Augustus Moore, accompanied by bis solicitor, Mr T G Russell, appeared at the Magistrate Court, in order to give himself up for embezzlement, The police were telephoned for, and Sab Inspector Black immediately went over to the Court; for the purpose of appearing for the Crown and of making an application for a remand. It appears that Moore for the last three years was in charge of Reuter'e Press Agenoy, for which Messrs Cook Mid Gray are the iooal agents. He admits embezzling £200 belonging to the Agency. Mr R 'BeethMii, P.M., who 'was on the Beach, remanded Moore till Tuesday next, and granted bail, accused in £500, and two sureties in £250 each.

Russia for Peace.

M de Witte,'in concluding his Budget report said :-~Rußßia has aecompHehed in China all that it was her duty as a Christian Power to do to suppress a seditioDjdirected against law and govern ment in the Celestial Empire. We were induced to act thus, not by any prospect of advantages, but by the consciousness of our solidarity with the whole human race. All this proves in an irrefutable manner that Russia [is pacific to a high degree, bat because she is conscious of her power. She could not fear any danger from what ever gonrce—■ she who has been able to display day after day strength so colossal. But Russia does not use her might for secret and selfish calculations. The Czar of Rossis, with his pacific views, is a great Christian prince, who follows no other impulse save that of his heart, and is inspired only by idaal truth and by the welfare of humanity; and who has shown to the world by a sublime example that the extraordinary might of Russia is bound up with a profound love of pe*cp. Recent events id the Far East prove that our country can face the future with serenity in the path traced for her by the will of her august Sovereign.

The Plague.

OASES IN AUSTRALIA

United Preee Association-—By Eiootrio Telesraph—Copyright) Brisbane, March 10 Margaret PhiHipp, residing at Eliza beth street, has been attacked with plague. The case is a mild one,

CABLE NEWS.

United PrQHs Aasooia ioa— by ElaQ'irio Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, March 9 In recogaition of the bravery he dls" played In o nneetlon with the recent B«wer accideab, Constable Davies has been made a senior constable. Adelaide:, March 10 Three Imperial soldiers xrer* today charged with absenting themselves from their regiments without leave. lh« police who prosecuted on bahalf of Colonel Wyudham, asked for a remand pending in attractions from the Imperial authorl' ties; The men claimed, as tbtl; sole defence, that they could only be dealtwith by a cowfc martial. The magistrates up held this view and discharged them.

Great Cajear'i Ghost poor WMted frame, , (That onue fall vigor did possess, Oan't be a mac in elee but name, Hie cough has brought him such distress The undertaker smiles to think Kfest) wloter'a oold he'll not endure Oh ne'e? W ff. take a drink Of W B Wood*' Great FeppermiDt Cur V«n san depend on ridding your ohlldren olwJwiih Widrt Worm Figß, tb«

THE FEDERATION QUESTION.

....» . THE A. & P. ASSOCIATION'S MEETING. A meating of members of the Aahbnrton ■ A, and P. Association and others interested in the subject of New Zealand Federating with Außtrftlia, was held in the Association's rooms on Saturday afternoon. There was only a moderate attendance, consisting of Messrs 0 W Purnell, J S Bland, T Rollitr, T F Gibson, E Saunders, Percy Jones, 0 de | Malet, J Studholme, junr, H Friedlander, 0 Reid, S Brown, A MoArMiur, J Wilson, J Lamb, JON Gri g<? , 1) Wilson, H Willis, W H Collins, J Butterick, and others. The Chairman said the meeting had been convened at the suggestion of the Canterbury A and P Association in order to get an | expression of opinion from this district, and, if desirable, to appoint delegate* to attend a meeting that had been aonveaed by the i Metropolitan Association. He spoke at some length upon the political and commercial j aspects of the question, arguing that, forming a small minority, we shouh: >■ <■ uwaraped in the Commonwealth. The regulation that i the Federal Government might deduct 25 per oent from our revenue was a serious point, and in dealing with our various public departments of the Olvil Service we should be too far distant for convenience. London would always ba our commercial head quarters, and exporti of produce to Australia would be limited. After moving the following resolution, hn asked for discussion amongst those present :-—" That this meeting of farmers and others is of opinion that it would be inadvisable for New Zealand at preaeut to join the Australian Common wealth, bub trusts that the commercial and other relations hitherto existing between this ' colony and Australia will be continued on an equitable basis to the mutual advantage of all concerned," Mr Purnell saii he had prepared a resolution which was not quite on the iin«s of that placed before them by the Chairman, his intention being to movs—"That in the opinion of this meeting the expediency or otherwise of New Zealand joining the Australian Commonwealth can best be determined by the praotioal working of the Commonwealth Act, and consequently it would be premature to express any decided opinions upon the Bubjeob at the present time." However, he would second the Chairman's resolution. Whilsb commending the executive of the Association in calling this meeting, he was yet afraid such gatherings were being held too late or too soon—-too late inasmuch as the Common wealth Aot w»3 row passed. The fact that we should be outvoted in the Federal Parliament was a strong objection as New Zealand would be in a hopeleis minority. He considered our true policy wat to wait) now and see how the Commonweal h worked, and to see how it acted for Australians, He did nob. attach much importance to the opinions being collected by the Commission, and would attach much more value in our gaining a true value knowledge of the subject. If competent lecturers were engaged to tour this colony, perhaps In five yearß hence we should be in a bebter position to judge of the desirability or otherwise of joining* Mr H Friedlander supported the Chair* man's resolution, and read a synopsis jof his evidence given before tha Federation Commission, He added that as we had not joined in the original Commonwealth we should now delay a further reasonable time to see how the new regime worked. He likened the position to five brothers holding ona estate, four residing close by and one at Auckland, Would the (Auckland one have as much gay as the others ? He would like the opinion of the military authorities on the federal defence of the various ports from Bluff to Auckland. To' properly defend these shores it would require the whole navy of England. He felt that the colony wou>d ba able to protect itself better if isolated than as a part of the Commonwealth. Mr J Studholm junr. regrettfd to hear so many objections lo Federation, most of which were however not applicable to the situation. la land defence we should have (o consider our position, whilst in Naval protection we could with our numerous forts locate the enemy and by mesmß of cable'and telegraph keep & watch over maEGßUvres, but we would have to increase our contributions to either the Australian or Imperial Navy. That in any case would have to be faced. Referring to vhe points of Australia, instancing various cities further away from tha Federal Capital than New Zealand. The danger in nob federating would lead to an increase uqon our customs duties, whilst again one of the ohief aims of the Federal Parliament would be the im proved means of communication by large Ocean Liners instead of the* great dinoom. fort of the present Union [8.8. Coy'a service, and mails would be carried cheaper. Tourisb traffic would increase, and New Zealand become the health resorfi of Aus< tralians. He commented upon our surplus grain yield[avail&ble for disposal in Australia with its average of 7 bushels of wheat compared with our 25 or 27 in New Zealand. He deprecated delay in joining, aa if we de' dined now on easy terms when we had the option, we might not later on, be allowed the opportunity. He likened fthe Common* wealth bo a Company on the market for flotation, shares being available, bub once the Company became a success the price of ■hares natarally would harden. Mr Nordon endorsed the former speaker's remarks, and ably combatted the statements of those present), who were averse to federat ing- After a careful study given ta this eubjeot of Federation ha was convinced they should nob abbempb to paBB an opinion whilst the Royal Commission was sitting. Certain olanses in the Commonwealth Bill showed that the speakers against Federation present, present wilderness of the oountry when resumed as the federal capital, would yield an extensive return from rents, and sufficient to repay the oost of|new buildings required were altogether wrong in their ideaa. The success of Federation in the States of America and other Commonwealths would meet the objections raised at that meeting. He commented on the nar row and selfish views expressed against Federation in the evidence now being given before the Commission. Mr James Brown considered every farmer should supporb Federation, but tha Maoris should most certainly be included. With respect to the 25 per oent customs duty to be retained by the Commonwealth, he pointed onb that although provision was made up to this charge it might nob be fully required, and we should, therefore, be returned a proportion based on population, but on this and other scores, we should insist on the Maoris being Included. Mr Load ley's motion was not quite so friendly to Federa tion as he desired. By federating, one section would suff/ar, such as bootmakers, unions, eto, because they, had been pampered up to such an extant thao they could nob possibly oompete against Australia, and they wets getting altogether too oonceited. Mr Purnetl, in answering one of the last speakers pointed out thab under the Com' monwealth regulations we should only be cure of a return of customs surplus for the ten year* stipulated, bat after that the Federal Government might swallow the lot, and we should then be ab their mercy. Mr 30 X Grigg said that in the last remark Mr Purnell had placed before them the whole crux of the matter. Our colonial debts were paid with 'wool, frozen mutton, butter, cheese, farm produce and gold, whilst the only two items taken by Außtra* lia were timber and §ax. la 50 years the timber export would be exhausted, and the value of fflax exports to Australia were not worth consideration! Considered from a farmer's point of view Australia was SO years behind New Zealand. (Loud laugh ter.) He could assure them of this from personal acquaintance with farmers in Australia, ana the methods they adopted. We should lose our customs revenue by federatlrg, and Melbourne and Sydney would ultimately become the large empo riums from whioh Australia would be fed, as the largest purchasers would naturally be able bo buy the cheapest, and further our own towns would not develop as they should The people of New Zealand could safely leave the subject to their cnildren Mr Friedlander remarked that with respect to the interest the Commonwealth would save by liquidating the present debts of the various states, New Zealand loans would not be called in so readily as ap' peartd, if our loans carry much higher rates of interest we should require to give the whole of oar debentures in security. The 25 per oent referred to was only to be retained the first 19 years and then where ihould we b«? The larger populated State

would iuoreaEe more than the tta*U Tiflfcoria and New South Wales in it* representation had a peponderaneß of «ifht members over the whole of the other •tatts. If we required to borrow outside the Commonwealth we could not effer a fins I mortgage as thab would bs held by the ! federal Government and to liquidate the debts of the States the Commonwealth in [ borrowing must offer its sown securlty.Thus ! if we rrquired to borrow for our own home requirements, we could only offer the security already given to the Federal Government. We could not tave 1£ per tent. The United States Government wore paying a minimum in %\ per cot, and further he was sure thab in the event of a surrender to the present bondholders we should suffer Mr H Willis could cot see the wildcat of the proposal bofore the meeting, and affctt hearing the various opinions he was more than ever convinced that few of those present understood the subject they were discussing. He oonelderod it would be unwise to pass the first portion of the resolution before the meetlng^whloh com' I mitted tha Association to oppoacFederatieg, and he was more is favour of Mr Purntli'e suggestion. In fact he was prepared to move aa amendment on the lines of in* Utter* la connect joe with this matter he might mention tbat« telegram just received stated that a similar meeting had been held at Timaru that day, and had appointed Messrs Rolleston and Acton to attend tat oontral oonferenoe, the southern meeting deciding that they had nob sufficient | data to go upon to decide. ' Mr C Reid agreed with the last speaker and urged them not to look at the matter from a selfish standpoint, bat consider ths benefit] or otherwise to tha county as a whole* Mr Leadiey emphasised the fact that once having federated, there was no drawing | back, and nothing except oivll war could I then give separation. In postal and other civil service matters it would be preferable ! to deal] with authorities as sear as Wellington than under * further distant Commonwealths Mr Collins spake in favor of the resolution drafted by Mr Purnell and supported by Mr Willie. Mr Reid here urged that as a.largenumber had left the meeting the discussion, be pest)' poned until next Saturday. The chairman considered as a matter of courtesy to the Northern Asiooiatloo, the* should reply and send delegates as requested* Mr J Brown moved a further amendment ** 'J hat this aseo< fation with the information before ib ab present is not prepared to express any opinion on Federation," and this waa carried in plaoe of the original resolution. Mr Brown then moved that the President: attend as delegate to Cbrietohuroli, but Mr Purnell thought it delegates attended they should clearly make it known that this association reserves it opinion on theejuestiea meantime, Mr Leadiey declined to act as a rrprettni tative to the meeting unless he had a free voice. Messrs Reid and Willis objected that the despatch of two delegates, who would not bo bound by the meeting would be a faroe. At this point, there being only a few members present, tbe chairman declared the meeting closed.

CORRESPONDENCE

(We do cot held ourselves reapMseible for opinions expressed by our corroeroodrtiti

SANITATION IN ABHBURTON

TO THE EDITOR. Sra~Would you kindlj allow |me co oall the attention of the Authorities to the abomil liable state of the urinals at the Railway. This place may be dubbed the " abomination of stinks" and that the present state of thiiigs ihould be allowed to exist for one hour is a disgrace to the Railway Authorities and also to thia community. Cannot onr Borongh Council perform one sensible aot by getting this nuisance abated —-1 am &c, . .BVBGtKSS

THE MAYORALTY.

TO tEB EDITOR Sib, —In a local which appeared Jo the Guabbian a few days ago, you put the very pertinent query, whether any candidates were coming forward for the Mayoralty. I do not; know whether the present holder of the office contemplates offering himself for re-election; but, if he does, I have no hesita tion in asserting that no man ought to be permitted to monopolise the mayoralty Of this or any other borough. The present) mayor, in May next, will have been in ofiioe for two y ars and a half, which is a pretty long innings ; and the mayoralty ought to be essentially a rolling office. In London/ the chief city of the Empire,the mayor is cbasgod every year, althorgh upon rare occasions, and for special rea&onr, an outgoing mayor has been re-elected for a second terra. This is a sound constitutional principle* Every citizen who has done good cerviee for the borough in the Borough Council, or In ether ways, is justified in looking forward to the mayoral ohair as a reward for his services but this reward cannot fall to his lot if each man ia 'allowed to occupy the ohair for an unreasonable time. The efioe of Mayor is not at all like that of the chain mm of a Road Board. If the members of a Road Board, or any similar body, prefer one particular individual as chairman, there is really no reason why they should not keep him in the chair as long as they think fit. It is a matter'whioh concerns themselves alone* The ancienb office of Mayor is, howevar, of an entirely different character. Without, therefore, discussing the merits or demerits of the present holder of the oMce, I maintain, upon sound constitutional Rrcuads, that a change oupht to be made at the approaching election. There is another reason why a ohange should be made, not so important as tha consblta* tioim! one, yet nob unimportant. During the last IS months, the people of Aihbnrton have been called upon to engage in quite a large number of national and patriotic celebrations. These celebrations ought fitly to have bean presided over by a Britisher, but, by the irony of circumst&coee, they have been precided over by a foreigner. I dare say the Mayor has done his beet to fnlfii hie duties upon these occasions properly | bub he has been placed in & false position, and se I have the burgesses. The incongruity bm j been manifest to everybody. Its is not likely that we shall have so many cf these celebra« fcior.s during the coming year} but it is just possible that the Duke of York may pay Ash burton a visit, and if be doe*, the Mayor to reoeive His Royal Highness ought certainly te be a man of Britfih bkthi—l am, etc,

Wesleyan Conference

United Press Association— By Etootric Telegraph Wellington, March 10 At the Wesleyan Oonferenoe arrangements were considered for deputation to vials the different! districts of tbe colosy to advooate the cause of foreign missions. The amount contributed no this fund was £1200. The Roy Mr Simmonds presented the report of Three Kings Wesley College, ab Auckland, with a proposal for the erection of new college buildings on a complete soal«« In support of claim for aid to this scheme, it waa shown that the conditions under wftioh the institution was begun had been faJthJ fully carried out, by fivlsg Maori boys Christian education, industrial training, and instruction in the English language. The report and balance shoeb wese received and adopted, and the proposal to ereot new buildings was approved.

The Royal Visit.

United Press Association—By Elecbrle Telegraph—Copyright) Londow, March 8 A portion of the civilian .firemen abroad tbe steamer Ophir refusing to be vaccinated, and the rrsfc sympathising with ibetr, all were dismissed, SB* replaced by men from the Naval depot:

!!U ABflßufcTON tiUAfcDUN: MONDAY MARCH ll p 1901



S A nE,7 Faßcy Work« 8ilkB» Amtni, Per Jineß, Canvite, Berlin Wool», Lintiii and Stamped work generally, «1I redagtd



Bbisiibib. [The present Mayor may not be a Britisher by birth, but he has certainly shown hit loyalty to the British Crown; That much ii m to him .—Ed]



f^ ABDEN Hose from 4d per foot Rubbe %JT and Canvas Hose of the beat quality. Nosel Spray Tape, etc, Large stock to aelecti from at the lowest prices —HabdJjK* Bros



MIS B CARSON, MU'SIO TIAOHER, Oorner Wills and William Streets. MOUNT SOMERB HOTEL. | MOUNT SOMEBS. | THOMAS WEST-PROPRIETOR |Lase of Hobobata Hotel) DESIRED to intimate to Oommerols Roprceeolatlveß and the Travelling Public that tho new additions to this Hotel are now complete, and good accommodation Ufta be relied upon. ALBS, WINES, SPIRITS] Etc. from the Bast Cellars. AMPLE BdJABLING ACCOMODATION AND GRASS PADDOOK3. 'XUANFALirOOIiroarLfDT A SAVING OF 28 "PER OBNT ON TOUR OOAL BILL. WE htve appointed ME JAMBS ELLIOTT, Coal Merchant, Ash barton, Agent) (or the coanty, who wi *upp!y Onatomtrs in large or small quantities This Goal Company hat now opened two frtih aefttnt worked sfo a diitano* ol 30 feed and 65 f«et, the thickness being 5J feet) and 6 feet, Rod ii the beat produced on the Fastern aeaboard. Id it an excellent Steam Ooal, unrivalled for Bakers, and a good Domestic Coal, burning with a flame, does no!) ipark'e, sad leavei a white aih It is both Cheap sod Excellent, Newcastle, Went port and Mount Someri Coal always in Stock. Firewood and Stakes of all kinds. JAMES ELLIOTT, COAL MERCHANT, ASHBURTOtf Mnges. RANGES. Scotr's Celebrated / ATLAS' Ranges I Barninghsm's • CHAMPION' Ranges^ Shaoklock'a • ORIOJN ' Rangeo, c AJjL ON VWW AT JOHN DPR & GO'S. lowest pos3iblb|pkiobs. _ " " ~ "prize duoes. ™~~w FSR SALE — Purebred White Pekin Daoki, from firs'' prize atock, 5e each, App^y H G Bebryman, 2 219 HARVEST CHEQUES TO THE IDITOB Fib,—-A considerable number of those who belp to ' gather In the golden grain ' in this district are visitors &nd etrangers who may want to know wh^re they can get the beat value *n<l greateet satUf&otion for their ■noney, P<erh.*pa tf me of them have been tni*led by newap^per advertisements in other place* »nd are sceptical re those in the Ashburtcn GtrARBiAN. If «o we would reaf.ee! fully suggest that In order bo prevent loss or dinappoJQtm<ntj those gentlemen shoulrl irqutre from the fir«& respectable iettler they mpet :—" Who are the be»* tailors in Anhburton ?'' and " Who have the largest and best" up to data " S^ock of BuUinga to Rflect from at the most reason able prices ? '—We are, ec, CKAIUHBAD <fc BERRYMAN JAMES~BJKEft Furbishing Wasshowsb, (Havelock Street, i TYE guarantees to Bell ab QhrUtehurok prices for Oaah or Time Payments. 1 14 j HEW BOOKS. MAORILAND and other Tersea, The Greatest Queen In the World, Hint* on Wood Carvijg, Our Friend ths Horee, j Egga all the Year Bound, The Incubator, Ideal Phyiisal Culture, New Dumbell Exercises, How to Read Heads, Window Ticket Writing, Kingtwood Cookery Book, New and Cheap Dictionaries, Weldon'a Journals for February, Magazinei, etc A. T. H. WILLIAMS, East Street HE ASHBUHTON TRAIN SERVICES Trains cave Ashburton dally for— UHRIBTOHUROH—at 720 am, 11 am 3,15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TIMARU—at IQM »m,5 §0 P»" DUNEDIN—at 12.54 pOT (express) SPRINGBURN~ab 4.25 p m Trains arrive daily at Ashburton from— OHRISTOHURCH—at 10.45 * m, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm. TIM ABU—at 10.35 am, 2.55 pm DDNEDIN—at 6.57 pm (express) SPRINGBURM»«ftb9.4Sam EPHEMEBIB Phases of Moon Hot February n H m Full moon — 4 3 0 »m Lautq»arter « 12 542 am Apogee m 9 70 pm New moon ~ 10 215 p m First quarter — 26 6 Bpm Perigee - 21 0 opm SUN. ! Date Rliea Seta ] Maroh 9 ... 669 629 j „ 10 .. 685 687 | " 11 -. 554 62S 1 12 .. 555 624 I, 15 « 557 623 Mai! Notices. Mails close for tbe following places aa under, subject to the neoeEsary alter at ions : TUESDAY. March IBS For Northern P-orts and West Coaat, par Eotomabftiiß, at 630 p.m ; late fee letter*, gnagd'a vmn express For Monte Video, Teoeriffe and Unittd Kingdom (dne London May 3), specially jkddresaed per Aotsa, per Rotomahana, afc 6 50 'p.m | paroala afc 5 p m WJEEpfESDAY, Mftroh 13 j Fee Aa*fcrali», tTaj^anift, Oeylon, India, and B**siti Sectlaoients^ also South Africa, of Europe and Cglt»d Kingdom, per '^•IIWPi dow at W«lliBgfco» at I p.m The oexti best) despatch for lbs Ueited Kingdom is via San Franoiaoo, on March 20 (due London Aprii 20) fIUKJ AFD 9BOIBES QCIGKLT HBAICBD Chamberlain's Pain Balm applied to a cut, bruise, burn, scald, or like injuty will inelantly allay ike pain, and will heal the pat be m leas time than any otber treatment! ,Unleaa tbe Jcjuiy ie very severe it will not leave & soar. Pain Balm alao cures rh«u { matiam, spraioa, swellings and lamtDeis \ iH'or iaJe by A»h,burton Drug Oompftoy i



AT R. &w»EH'a Sale—A pleodid iteek of Mea's and Boys' Olotbing kt) greatly reduced prices; Boys' Norfolk Salt) ,«t lla ,6d, worth J6a 6d ; Man'a Strong K»i&?oi Tweed Trcusera 8a 6d, mu*\ jprlse *■"- M-: Ladies' Hose from 6d a pair, » I apeoUl nnj. -v x. , a SEOBI vair i 9 ty of Mff"* and Boys' Btr»w H&te, uiHeo t>a aold T,ndiea Saroa Ozford Shops from Sa Qd 4 ootigh Gere, W»hoo, Ksolibah »ud Beajiosio Gum go tp Asji^ubton Dbc Qt -



A O&ED. . F. w. Q URGEOK DEKX *«, *.. fißanders'is Bui!diogß, Ashburtoa. " i I'BBMS MOBKBATE. I Boues of Amendakcie s 9 a v till I p m i and from 2v m. ti!l6gM. , 201



AHEAD OF THEM ALL. ALL. PBACIIOAL AID EXPKKIBNOBD EIDIHS HAY IKB THEIR FAVORITES Thej are tbe bent that money can buy They are the ohoftpeif; in tti§ long run They are thoroughly up to date They are good, honest machines PRICE—S2I • o*ll ®>n® inspect for'yoßrsalf. We will guarantee to pleads and Ktiib fon, DATES, LOWRY AND CO,, ZsaUndift Cycle Works, BUENBTT STREET, ASHBUKTON. MI'J(K[T.L. AND TfIRNKR. — I y^7ci7»™TNGFA(m)RY. fl> X have just conclnded our HALF-YKABLY STOCKTAKING ud have thrown out » number of odd Hocb, which we bave marked at prices that will eflVct a speedy clesmnce^ -izSEE THEM AT DOOR.= MFNW BAVJ) AM> SOFT HATS AT Is EACH. MEN'S *OFT sniBTS. A lAIG3- VAIJFIYOFTIES. ALL REDUCED TO 6d A Tb Mpi.'h Lpath- r Shoes 8s 6d, Men's Kid Shoes 10s 6d Women's CanvnP Shops 3s 6d, Children's 2-6 d Men'a T»n 'Shoes 6s 6d, Men's Tan Boots 15a. ~ — .o:—- N /. CLOTHING FACTORY WA L L P_A PERS. f r7R HAVE TO HAND per the last Home boat—29 Bales of the very '% atest ABTISTIO PAPERHANGINGS, the Colourings and Design* o which are decided works of art. Indoded in the shipment are fietatifa Friozeg sod Borders to match the Papers, I hold the largest stock of WALL PAPERS in South Canterbury ClSente can therefore rely uporsh ing a large variety^ each respective sort to cboosa from. J, WILSOJN. p ,^*gi t^sheep dip. Facts for Bheepmen and Figures. 1. Britain is the great mMrafaotnrtag centre ot the Sbmp Dip» whteh »re being pusho^ in this colony. v I. In »lno the Country wMota eohjeots them to the hardest ponible tests to on, b,n3 D gM«lh. abldtng properties of Sheep.Dips so ,e,«ely as the WEATHER, and few dips there are that can withstand it. © trk- ••unYAL" is the Greatest Annoa! Sheep Show of the World and the " B^islntative Mock fathering of tbe Brltbh Islm. These three disconnected facts combine, however, in adding to the weighty figures of fcha last Royal Shuw \— Total Pnzes Won by Sheep ... ..7 «• JJJ Oooper-Dipped Sheep Carried off ... ' JBalancr, for division amongat-all other Dips ... ... 22 ANALYBlß,^_____ ______™,^.' . ___™_™_. -""""Tcjha^SoDT I First. | Second. "Third. Total, nnnPP-R 5 1 61 55 19 140 Other Pipß__j^_l I_J—l__2L_JL ?! COOPER'S DIP rtoß Mowed W J?«Jg» 5S JoqSSotß wtwtt timt?R AS MAX YkE ALL OTHER DIFo FUI lui*J!.ixin»xfc. l^JK^" S^i^lOip-otkall, iroted for »COOPBR." It te Marly the came with'the Sheep ownen the world urer, who lait year 18W) naed mAelmt of "OOOPK.R" fco dip about 200 Million Sheep An increase of nearly 5825s 8 25 Milliohs over the sales of the previous y«ar. FRIEDLANDRR BROS., LTD., AGENTS. .