THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains cave Aahbttrtoci daily for-— OHRIBTOHUROH—at 7.80 am, 11am 3.16 p m, 7 6 p m (express) TIMARU—at 10.56 am, 3.60 pm DUNEDIN—at 12.64 pm (express) BPRINGBURN—at 4.25 p m

Trains sreiye dally at Ashburtoc from—•' OHHISTOHUROH—at 10.45 am, 12.48 p m (express), 8 pm" TIMARU—at 10.35 am, 2.65 pm DUNBDIN—-at 6.57 pm(expreßa) SPRINGBURN-afc 9.45 a m

EPHEMRRIS

Phases ci Mood for February

SUN.

Mail Notices.

Maik close for the following pieces as ueder, ■abject to the necessary alteration* : MONDAY, March 4 For Chatham Islands, per T«roa, »t 630 pm. late fee letters guards van express TUESDAY, March 5 For Northern Ports per Janet Niool, at 6 s«ain For Northern Ports, and Westiport, per Rotomahans, at 630 pm Late fee letters, guard's van, expreai

Commercial.

HAVELOOK STREET MART.

Mr Henry Stephenson reports that there was an unusually large attendance at his weekly sale on Saturday, and a large entry m all lines. Bidding was spirited, and a speedy clearance was effected at the following prices :■—Fowls Is 6d, Is 9d, 2s 93, 3t, 3s 2cl per pair ; daoks, 2s 3d, 3s per pair ; turkeys 7s 6d and 8s 6d per pair. Pigs—Suckers 6', 7' ; weanerr, 9s, 9s 61, 10s ; stores, 15s, 17i, 18s. Cows, £4, £5, £6. Onions, Id per lb. Potatoes, id per lb, and 7s ; 7s M per sack ; wheat, 6s 6d to 7s 6d per sack. Peaches, 3d per lb ; apricots, 3d to 3|d per lb ; apples, Id bo l|d per lb. A large lot of furniture, also a piano and a bicycle, were sold at very satisfactory prices.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Quotations are as follow* : — Wheat (nominal)— Hunter's, pearl, and velvet 2e 3d to 2s Id, and Tuscan 2» 4d to Oftts (new) — Canadians 1b 5d to la 6d, short feed la 5d to Is 5Jd, Dana and Danish la 4d to Is 4&d Barley (new) — Malting 2s (at country station") Beans—(nominal) Peas —(nominal) FloHr(mil!era! quotations nominal)— Roller 81, stone £6, sharps £3 10s, bran £3. Oitmeal—£lo Oatsheaf Chiff — 42s 6d at near country ntatioDs. Hay—£3 5% to £3 10n delivered j prlmest baled £4, f ob Seeds—Ryegrasa, farmers' -ote Is 3^ to 1« b<\', prime heavy, town dressed, 2« 6d to Ss 3d, 'Jocksfoot, 21 "to 2^4 for bright seed, to 3d for extra good, town machine dressed 16! b to 17b seed, 3| 1 to 3f 1, rowi?raas 5^ to 6d, extra choice 6£d, White c ovt, 6<i to 7|d. Dairy Produce-—Ohece, dairy 4d to Sd, factory 4^l iosd Butter—factory, local, lod, dui-y 7d to Bd, nalt, m boxea 6d to 7d. B&con and hams, 6d to6|-l, facU-ry bacon and harae, |d psr !b hi^'hrr. 'I he above prioesi except whe-s otherwise state. 1, are thoie paid to l&rm<te, f.o.b, LyMrlton.

United Pttms Aairjciatiot —By Electric Talppraph Wellington, March 4 The Agricultural Dofmrtment has receiye d th« following from the Agent General, dated 3rd March ;—"Butter 100 a, demand good, N Z batter giving satUfaotlon to buyero ; oheese 50ii market dull. Oosaider prie&a for oheeee likely to improve. The enaction sales this week closed with ft strong demund for cocksfoot, nominal 32i

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1901. Local and General.

A Small l&f}«—Ht fetoy Stephens h*a ahown ub the amaliest egg we fanse yet seen. It was laid, with others, by ft goldfinch, and is »bowit the size of a sweat pea need. Volunteer Fkbe Bbigade»—Ab "At Home " m honour of the competing teamnnd membetg of the Volunteer Fire JJrig»de Ukea place tonight Rt the station. Railway Timkt*BL«—-In connection with the viait of the lodinn troops to Christohnroh tomorrow the evening train for Ashburton will leavs Chriefcoharch at 6,30 p.m, »nd arrive here at 8-flO p-m Sabbath DBSEOBATiON^-Tho laU isxfr of the letter BddMeufad to the Premier fay the Bey J X Elliott, moderator of the Presbyter ian General A*aemblj, protesting against the travelling nnd parading of the lodhn tvoopa on SatdayFeb 24t'i will be found on oar fourth page, Timbkb Transit—Adrantnge i« being taken of the low state of the R&ngitikei Kiver to goat; down 19,000 railway sleepers | and 3000 posts a distance of forty miles, to the Makonino Viaduct, where a boom hat been constructed across the dv«r. The work is expected to employ twenty threi men for a fortn'ght Comjkcj -We underutiind that Lieutenant F B Hughes, who has juet returned from the front, and who hae been giving illustrated le^burss i« Christohurch and eliewhere oh ! the war, proposes visiting Asliburhon otx j Taesday »»d Wjß.djap'dny of rn-xt week, wheD he will deliver two Jfleljures m the Oddfellow*' Hall. Thb Boebb As Shots, —Lieutenant Hughes Is of opinion that the average Bner is moife dangerous i»b 1500 yds than at 400 > da. At tfa« longer range he will feel cafe and oomfor* table, take deU>jera,to aim and make splendid shooting, bub let his mtmy get close and he becomes so exoitdd that hit shotting is far from good. Temmsrapkic— Berne notifies :—British administration announces that Bedford Mattr.63ll^ telegraphic mining code of 1899 has been dapoßJtfld at Aden for Cape Colony. This cods can bo employed m addition to those already notified for and from Cape Colony, Natal, Zinzttar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, British East Africa RoTAtfr and MAfoitApriES.—There are evidence* that the coming visit of Royalty to New Zealand is raiting hopes, and antici pations m the minds of certain peoplp ip New Ze&land oities nad towns. I here ar.« ive gentlemen m Palmerston anxioa* to have ihe honour of entertaining the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, asad they will be candidates for the Mayoralty, and there are similar indications m other parts of tha eolooy. Are there no people In Ashbureoa to speculate for a title or even a decoration %

pRXMNVATtoN-Fireman A E Peaohey,i who has been btansferred to Ohristohuroh, | was presented, prior to hit departure by the i 11 o'clock train to-day, with a handsome I clock. The Btationmaater, m a few ftp- J preprint* words, made the presentation, fend r the recipient suitably replied. Fireman ■ Wills, from Christchurcb, succeeds Mrj Peaehey The Laboub Masks?.—The Otago Daily Times says that, bat for the searoity of lab our, the Heriofc railway extension work would be pat m hand by the Public Works Department. As the harvest is likely to b general m Otago m a few days, given fine weather,.the prospect of securing men for the work is scarcely likely to be improved* A Frost--As a stronger reminder than we have bad lately that we may not expect muoh more warm weather, there was a sharp frost this morning, which has left; its mark on the tomato plants, dahlia*, etc. Some enthas.astio individuate of the natatores order put m an appearance this morning at the bathn and something was said about boiled lobsters when they emerged from the water, Three degrees of frost were registered during last) night. A Gam—During all Saturday night a strong nor'wester swept over the town, bat early yestsrday morniDg a violent gale came «p from the south and for some time blew with hurricane force. The fruit trees suffered severely and several weak fences were blown over and trees were more or lets damaged A Visitor—Mr Bickeneoa, who is m the fruit preserving and canning trade m Cali fornia, is at present visiting tbia district. He cornea to New Zealand partly to recruit his health, and for business purposes. He is greatly impressed with the grain growing qualities of the Ashburton County, and also believes that a groat future is m store {or the colony which he thinks should be dairying i population of ten millions. The Golden Fleeob.™Ae showing the advance In the price of sheep daring the past few years, and consequent) profit to the owners, the following form an interesting illustration :—la stocking ap a North Can terbury run m 1897, a line of 3200 merino ewes were bought at 2s 2d per head, total ling £346 13a 4d. Last month 868 of the culls of this line were sold net on the station for £355 18i. The purchaser has had three clips of wool and three lambs from the ewes and the remainder of the line would realise quite 12* per head aft ruling rates, i Shbkf from North Island—A mob of 2400 crossbred ewes from the North Island passed through Ashburton by road on Sat urday on their way to the Obatmoss Estate: They were m very fair condition. The Lytklten litms of this morning says that the largest mob of sheep ever landed at Lyttelton was brought from Napier yesterday morning by the s.s. Hawerav It consisted of 3246 animals, aod transported and landed without! the loss of, or even irjury to one. The sheep were disembarked to at the Gladstone Pier, met by the drovers and driven over the Bridle Pa»h to the plain. They were consigned to Messrs Pyne and Co. The Indian Troops—A meeting of the general recaption committee of the Imperial Troops was held m the Borough Council chambers on Saturday evening. The Mayor presided. Mrs H Fnedlander was also present A letter was received from the Rev 6 B Inglls, intimating that he would be pleased to assist m the reception. The Mayor pointed out that very little time would be allowed for «ny local demonstra tion during the stay of the Indian troops* It was decided, on the motion of Mr Tennant, bhab Baring Fquare East should be seleoted. It was also decided to supply light refresh ments, Mesdatnea F- iedlander and Cox being appointed a commit' cc to arrange details. The Mayor and the Chairman of the County Council were appointed to receive the troop?, and on the motion of Mr Paul ib was resolved to request Captain Dolman to furnish a guard of homr.

Wakanui Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wak&nul Road Board was held on Saturday. Present —Messrs A H Ayr ton, P Jsnen, J Wilton, nod Cochrane. In the absence of the chairman, Mr Ayrton was voted to the ohair COBRESPOKDENOE Correspondence was read as follows :-—■ From South Rakaia Road Board, enclosing amount of account fnr doing shingle repairs on Boundary road.- Ordered to be paid From County Council, re valuation loll.— The Board decided that the Courqil bi referred to the Valuation Dnpartmetit tor the information From the Valuation Department, re the Board'a rates,—lt was decided that ihe next rate be levied on August 3rd From the Jubilee €>elebratioa Committee, asking for all subscription lists to be sent m aa soon as possible.—Agreed to From W J Wilson and othore, asking for t\ c use of the large room, patt of the Board's room; and also the yard and stable, and to be allowed ingresa to the Board's office.—This was granted, but) the use of fche stable and the permission to ose the door opening into the Board's office was not granted CHi.IBMAN'B RKFdR* The Chairman's report was read as follows :— As yon are nil aware, tbt last meeting of the Board called lapsed on account of that day being a proclaimed holiday, 9b the occasion of the funeral of the late Queen. It being a busy tjuie I thought it beat to let matters remain until the Marsh meeting. The pay sheet I thought it advisable to pay, the total being £98 13s 9d. 1 have laid a * verbal application for the use of the front: room for service on Sunday, the amoaat of rent to be £2 per quarter, the parties pro? mieing to make a written application for the use of the room at the Board's next meeting. I have Instructed the Clerk to allow them to v a the room m the meantime ¥ou will see by the Bank hook that tbeßoard?« account is overdrawn £90 Os iOd. This is occasioned by the large amount of rites out standing, vijs, £598 8« 103, being the rates that cover the period up to March 31, 1901. All rates remaining uppid after March 25 j will, according to law, have to pay m addi tion 10 per cent) penalty. Although every ratepayer has been notified of this on demand for rates, still it might be advisable to again remind them. Trusting that the members will approve of my action eince we last met. 1 have very much pleasure m moving "That this Board places on record its sincere sympathy at the death of our beloved Queen," —The motion was carried, Mr Jones seconding. The action of the Chairman m connection with last meeting was approved of OVERSEER'S RIPOBT. The overseer's report was read *s under: — Since the Board last met Contract No 38, formation of Obettsey Boad, has been com pleted, Contract £?a 36,jltormation and shin gling at Dromere, has alsg boen completed. Contract No 41, which was forfeited, baa'been given to the next lowest tenderer, P Hanson, who has lodgsd a deposit and signed the contract. As the contractor had an extension of time for harvest, he has not commenced his contract, but will probably do bo m a day cr two.' The uontraotor tor No 39, shingling i at Wakanni, has doije ho shingling since January 12, he also having leavs ol absence to go harvesting, I expaot him to start shingling again soon. A good many com plaints having been made about the bad state o! about 60 chains of Stanley Boad, eommenoitfg at the Mill Boad, and extending on to lie Breton's j&oad, f was instructed te report. I find the remedy lieU m reforming, say 46ft wide and grading so that no Water can lodge m the hollows. The report ac read was approved, ' BVANLXT BOAS It was resolved that tenders be called for the re-iortpation of $0 chains on Stanley road ; tenders to be m by ntp meeting OCXSXANDIN,a RAJCES Jt was resolved that ratepayers be noticed to the effect) that all outstanding rates will be charged 10 per cent m addition, if not oollected by March 25tb, 1901 HERDS' XO6S AHB HIAQS It was also resolved to stop payment for birds' eggs and heads after March <£srd, 1901 FINAN&B Ifc was resolved that the Board borrow £200 from the Bank of New Zaaland THE iATB QOKBN Id was decided to place on record the BoSfd'i sincere sympathy at tb« death of our late beloved <$aeen ASJ«K>WTS _ Af to passing accounts, amounting to *57 7t §$, toe JMPtft>g adjonmid

CORRESPONDENCE

(Wo do not hoM ourwlvps reepansiWe tor opinions exprenied by our corrtupondenti

HOSPITAL SEWAGE.

TO THB IDItOR

Bm,—-I quite agree with Mr W H Collins ~~health firo% cost after; bnt as I under stand the outlay will not run into many hundreds, there should be yery little delay ' m getting the thing fixed m a satisfactory manner. The position is something like this. The Hospital ii a County property! Why not, therefore, give the Cowaty Council permission to construct a brick sewer that will not only serve the Hospital at the present time, but also Greater Ashbarbon, when required. The objection that the drain will run into dry shingle need not alarm us, as it is a well known fact that the stream may a til I be running although a few feet below the surface. Of course it will be understood the Borough may bs called opon to contribute a small proportion of the first cost, bat few would object) so long as the town wan freed from this threatened danger and our reputation m a healthy residence restored.—l am, etc, H. 0. Tchnbe.

Affairs is China

FORTIFYING THE LEGATIONS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph London, March 3 The foreign Ministers have decided fchat Italy shall retain the Customs buildings at Pekin, as they are needed for the extension of the fortification of the legation'! area. Germany has intimated to Li Hang Chang that it is inexpedient that China should make separate conces sions to States or companies, giving away valuable assets while obligations towards the Powers collectively are not clearly defined.

A STEAMBOAT MYSTERY

SUSPICHOUS DEATH OF ANEW ZEALAND PASSENGER

THE BODY EXHUMED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, March 3 Owing to certain suspicious circum stances coming to the knowledge of the City Ooroner, the body of P Co-way, a Donedin passenger who died aboard the Talune on February 19th, has been exh tuned from the Bockwood Oemetery. Yesterday an inquest was opened, and adjonrned to Friday It will be remembered that when the remains were landed at Sydney the Coroner dispensed with an inquest, the caus« of death befog given as a fit, which deceased is alleged to have been subjected to The anthoritiei are very reticent with regard to the matter, the Oorouer intimating that it woold not be m the interest)! of justice to publish the evidence at present. The police refuse (o give any information, but enquiries m other directions indicate that they are acting upon rumours amongst other passengers that the circumstances surrounding don way's death are not altogether consistent with natural causes •1 he statement is also made that Oonway was supposed to have certain valuable possession, but a search of the luggage filed to discover them

A Canadian Petition to the King

CONSIDERATION FOB CATHOLICS

United Pi'-*8 /Bspciation—By Eleotrio T'-Ugraph—Copyright Ottawa, March 3 The Canadian House of Commons, by 125 to 19, adopted an address to King Edward praying for the elimina tion from the Coronation oath of expressions offensive to Catholics

Obituary

United Press Association—By EUoirSo Telegraph London, March 1 The death Is announced of Mr W. Maxwell Evarta, the celebrated Ameri can lawyer and politician, aged 88 years,

A Magnificent Meteor

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydnby, March 3 A. magnificent meteor was witnessed m the western districts. As it traversed the sky it developed into a hlage of light, accompanied by a rushing sound, and burst, with a fUsh of blue and red fire, lighting ap the whole of tfcp heavens, '

The Commonwealth

PROGRESS OF THE FEDEEAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

SOME OF TBEQUESI lONS RAISED

A GREAT STRUGGLE

United Press Association-—by Electric Telegraph—Oopyrigh* Sydnhy, March 2 The Federal election campaign is m full swing, and the voice of the politi cal charmer is heard throughout the length and breadth of the Common* wealth. Various parties are hard at work closing up the ranks, and from the large crops of aßpirants selecting bunches for the House and the Senate. Uuity is the burden, and the deidera turn of every speech, but the ideas united are wondrously mixed, and deeply tinged In most cases by party predilections, and circumscribed by ■State boundaries Every State has its pet question. In New South Wales and Victoria, thanks chiefly to the Hon Gr H Reid, assisted by a band of able lieutenants^ and with influential Press support, the old f r«e trade and protection cry is forced to she froot of the battle, and is being made a fierce and bitter one In Queensland the interest centres round the black labour question, one of i the most difficult problems the Federal jGrorernment wjll have to deal witfr Mrßartou ia s-t present making «m extended toar 6t the Northern State ? with the double object of studying the question, and of convincing sugar growers o£ the desirableness of a white Australia goQtb Australians have the trans* continental railway, and development of Northern territory as a fighting platfoim The Westrallan campaign is being carried o» |toss Ardently, thoagh th» i

special tariff concessions granted the State under the Commonwealth Bill are regarded as a source of much con gratulation Tasmanians are loyally federal, bat havi a grievance. They want more substantial representation m the Fede ral Cabinet, and candidates are strenu ously voicing that want The Labour Party is vigorously patting forward its claims m the various States, and is providing a good quota of candidates Mr McGowan, leader of the Labour party, m a speech, aaid he owed no allegiance to any party m the Federal campaign, Oatenably the issue, as raised by the metropolitan Press, was free trade or protection, but it was raised only to divide people, and allow Conservatives to get elected The real object was not to secure free trade, but to kill the Labour party Mfxiouene, March 2 The writs for the Federal elections have been issued The Hon 0 0 Kingston states that if the Ministry decided to bring down tariff proposals m the first session of Parliament, he would be prepared with the necessary recommendations Brisbane, March 8 Owing to one being informal, sixteen have nominated for the six seats on the Senate

Huge Amarican Business Trans actions.

JSNORMOT7B COMMISSIONS FOR A BANKING FIRM.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegram—Copyright Kivr York, March 1. Commifsions received by Mr J Pier 1 pont Morgan (J. P. Morgan and Co),' for forming the Bteel Trust, buying and reselling the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and floating New Jersey Central Railway bonds, amounted m twelve weeks to eleven million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars nearly two and a half million pounds). A rival Steel Trust has been formed I m America, with a capital of ten million ; sterling. Mr Pierpont Morgan, head of the other (rust, holds forty million as a fund to fight ther opponents. [ The capita! of the first trust was stated to be 300 million dollars m bonds, 400 million m preference stock, and 400 million m common stock.]

The Trade of Australia

United Press Association—By Electric telegraph—-Copyright Bt»net, Maroh 1 The returns of the various States show that the trade of the Common' wflftlth last year aggregatad £141,137,000, an increase of £630,000 over the previous year. The imports were £68,985,000, an increase of £5,546,000. The rzports to'al'ed £72,151,000, a decrease of £4,756,000,

SOUTH AFRICA

DE WKT CROSSES THE ORANGE RIVBR

TWO BUNDBIfiD OF BflS FOI LOW. ERS CAPTURED

THE CLOSIfcG TN MOVKMENT

SCATTERING OF THE BOERS

D'f WET DEMENTED

CTnlted^Prees ABnooi*tlnn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright London, March 2 Lord Kitchener has returned to Pretoria. Ha telegraphs that De Wet I has been forcpd north over tb© Orange river, and two hundred of his followers captured. Other stragglers $re being captured; j Tlie Times correspondent reports from Hopetoun regarding recent fight ing that Oolonel Piumer overtook De Wet on February 17th, at a depot westward of the railway. Plunder's supplies being exhausted, he halted at ,j EUuuwpan, On the 18th he went to | Elsievlie to refit, leaving thres strong patrols to hang on De Wet's rear, and watch the river drifts The patrols behaved splendidly, touch being maintained with General Knox, who was enabled to quags the enemy's intentions i The British southern columns were so marshalled as to prevent the junc tion of the invaders from the south and the west. De Wet tried to recrots the Orange river at Brakkiea, Small par ties crossed m a boat, but the main commando was unable to establish a ford, and headed from the river m the direction of Prieska. They were again repelled towards the Orange river drift. Oolonel Piumer, having obtained sup plies, again resumed operations, pre venting the epemy'a passage of Mark's drift, capturing one hundred prisoners. When Oolonel Owen, on the 28rd, 1 captured the last Boer guns of De Wet's rearguard, during the silent watches of the night the enemy slipped by the Kimberley column, and re crossed the railway, J>e Wet, with flertzog, going towards the Zand drift. The majority of the commando dis- i persed or surrendered. De Wet, m his fanaticism, is reported to be demented. He logs everybody, flaasbroeck, whose commando remains compact, refuses to cooperate with him The correspondent waß not allowed to indicate the new British concentra tion movement, as the message preceded Lord Kitchener's latest despatch.

The British Army Estimates

ENORMOUS INCREASE PROPOSED.

AN EFFECTIVE FQRCE OF NEARLY HALF A MILLION TROOPS.

United Press Association—By Iflleobrlo Teleg aph—Copyright LpNDQN March 2 The Army estimates for 1901-1902 total £37,915,000, providing for an effective force 61450,000" ' The Army estimates provide for a perma nent Army ef 220,000 men; the remainder of the effective force being regarded as temporary forces, due to the war The estimates include £58,250,000 for war serviced, ' with ' cost of reparation and gratuities. They are based upon a calcmla" tion that the Army m South Africa will be jkept up to its fall strength until the begin' ning of August, and then gradually dirain ish«d There is an incroaie of £414,000 for permanent service?, which include £250,000 for a militia reserve, and £150,000 for a new system of consolidated bounties i Substantial provision is made for the re* j organisation of the Army Medical Depart ments, »nd for pensions for the widows and children of those who have died as fche result of active operation!

The Plague

United Prees Association—by Bieotrio Telegraph—Copyright

Sydney, March 8 The military authorities at the Oape have advised Sir W Lyne, Premier of New South Wales, that owing to plague at Capetown, Australian military mails will he sent via London A suspected case of plague has been discovered on the troopship Antillian s which hug just arrived from Capetown The victim is a seaman The ship was immediately quarantined. The Board of Health, having been , officially informed that the Queensland case is one of true plague, stringent measures against Queensland shipping have been again enforced Sydhey, March 3 Olsen,the steamer Antillia; 's suspect ed plague patient, died to-ni^ht. He developed auspicious symptoms on Wednesday last. Until the diagnosis is completed tomorrow, the nature of the disease cannot be definitely stated. The medical opinion is that the case of Olaen is one of plague, bat that there is no need for alarm The Antillkn never came near the wharf Brisbane, March 3 In the case of the plague victim, the youth Kehler, curative serum is being used with good effect

THE ROYAL VISIT.

United Press Aetooiation—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright LONDtM, March 1 The supplementary Naval Estimates include a sum of £48,000 for altera tions to the Ophir m connection with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall's viaifc to the colonies. ( 'eceivcd Wakapuaka March 4, S3 am This Office 9 45 ft m) London, March S At Lord Hopetoun'a request the King's semi state landau with the usual postillions and outriders has been shipped m the ()rton», for the use of the Duke and Duchess of York m Australia.

A deputation of Manawatu Maoris asked \he Premier on Saturday to allow them to entertain the Duke and Duchess of York, on their visit to New Zealand, at some piace up the coaft, preferably at the Horowhenua Lake. The Premier said the time at the disposal of their Boyal Highneiiea woiald not be sufficient to allow of any such arrange' meat being made,

Fire at Wanpanui

United Prees Apgociation—By Electric Telegraph Wan©akoi, Msirch 3 A tire broke out at 3 45 o'clock thin after neon m the main part of the Avenue m a building owned by J Saiek, and occupied by E D Smith, draper. The building was com pletely gutted, but the brigade prevented the spread of fire, The building was insured m the Guardian Office for £3CO- Th« stock was insured m the Bsme office for £1100, and m the National for £300, and the furniture m the Guardian for £100.

Sporting.

V.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Melbourne, March 2 For »be opening o°f the V.8,0 Autumn Meeting to-day, a verj hot aun and strong i oith wind w«s experienced. Following are the r<Bults of the principal events : — Thk St Legbe Stakes, If mile—Finland 1, Barbarosea 2, Th« British Admiral 3. Wnn easily, Timp—3min 9^3eo Newmabket Handicap, six furlongs— Wak«fui 1, Fulminate '<?, Advance 3 The otart was a good onp, and at> the five furlongs dia ance Epitome was leading, closely followed by Advacce. At the distance Advance was leading, followed by Fulminate and Wakeful! and the trio then had & great Bet to, the race eventuating m Wakeful winning by three quarters of a length from Fulminate, Advance a neck away third. Time—lmin IS^seo. Esskndon Stakes, I£mi|p—La Carabine 1, Clean Sweep 2, Malster 3. Wott by a length. Time—2min 35aeo. j

DUNEDIN JOCREY CLUB

THIRD DA¥,

Dunedkt, March 2 The following are result*:-~ Bubbles—Dundee (MoKeszle) 1, Itex 2. < Sab Rosa alio started but ran the hurdle at the half distance. Woo by fifteen lengths. Time-3.7. Div-£llls HoFEFUt—Oantaen (King) I, Red Gaunt) let 2, Battler 3. Komurialso started Won by two lengths. Time—l 19 Div~£4 5s Welter—Dacoy and La Reine deal heat 1, Bed Banner 3. Scratched—Witcherafo, Silver Maid, Briea. Great: race, Bed, Banner and Cadet finishing within a neck of the dead heaters. Time— 134 Dlvs— Deooy JB2 3», La Beioa £1 18s Anniyebsart Handicap, Ij mile—Nihilist X, Cameo 2, Hermosa 3. Won by half a length. Time—Smln 12seo. Dividend—£6 Tbibd Hack Handicap, cix furlonsrs— ' Muscovite 1, Terrapin S, Stooknmid 8. Won easily. Time—lmin 19aec. Dividend—£.B Fltino Handicap, seven furlong»~Bri»» 1, Hypnotist 2, Spider 3 Won by half a length. Time—lmin 37eee. Dividend—£4 7s Winqatui Stakes, six furlonns—Mensohl koff I, Golrittpur 2. lime—lmin 18§seo. Dividend—£l Ib. Farewell Handicap, one mile—St Denis 1, Hermosa 2, Belligerent 3. Won by three part* of a length. Time—lmin 46seo. Dividend-£5 14. The stewards decided to hold an inquiry into the running of St Dennis at the meeting, i and the money was looked np.

Wanganui, March 2 After making the final payments the following remain m the Wanranpi Cup, 1J mile~Renown 8»t 13ib, Ideal and Nobility Bab 21b, gkobaloff 7st 9ib, Diyntree aad Palaver 7sc Slb.Kshu wai 7^, Queen's Guard 6st 81b.

Fire Brigades' Competition.

United Press Association—By Elootrio Telegraph Chbistckurch, March 2 There was fine weather for the continna" tion of the Fire Brigades' competition, Hydram and Un;on— Competition for five men resulted in—Spit 1, Hastings 2, Timaru and Karupuni 3, equal. TimatQ and Karupuni competed again with the result that Titnaru recorded 39aeci and and Kurupuni 46 eeo. Alab^i and Disabled Ho»E~Oompetition for five' men. Greymouth 1 57| seas, Spit 2, 57fsect, Gavenham 3, blfef, k protests re Oaveriham disallowed.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Gopvrighfe Li kdoh, March 1 The election petition brought by Sir Wil fred Laweon against the return of Mr J 8 Randies, for the Cockermcmth Division, Cumberland, has been dismissed with costs. A wave, supposed to be of volcanic origin! swept over the steamer Teutonic near ibe Newfoundland coast, injariri|; sailors wh© had taken refuge m the crow's nest, An announcement is made that the Mar quis of Head fort marries Miss Boote, of the Gaiety Theatre. [The present Marquis of Head fort is s> Lieutenant m the lit Life Guards, and U twenty three years of age. He succeeded his father {'ha third Marquis) m 1894, and owns about 22,000 acres,} George Parker, an ex soldier, bas bees sentenced to death for the murder of a farmer named George Pearson, on January 7iih, m a railway carriage at SurbJton. Parker at the same time shot «ad severely wounded Mrs Ring, who was travelling m the same compartment [Parker and bis two victims were travel ling alone m a railway carriage on the date mentioned, when, without a word of warn ing, he drew a revolver and shot Pearson dead. He then tamed and fired point blank at Mm King, shooting her through the cheek, (Chinking he had killed htr. Parker took from Mr Pearson's body a sum of money and other valuables, and then leaped off the train. He was captured, confessed the crime m a letter to nis father, and attributed his downfall to a love ©f spending money. He stated that he had no intention of committing the crime when he boarded the trait,]

Wesleyan Conferences.

United Frets Association—By Electric Telegraph _, WiLUKOffOK, M*rch 2 •Lhe morning was devoted to meetings of Committees, where the majority of laymea and minister* were engaged m dealing with preparatory work that will facilitate the pro -1 ceedsngs of the Conference next week, Jfc* Conference met m representative teeeion at 2 p m and began with devotional exercise*, and m an address by the Btv R Harding. Congratulations and cordial greetings to the President and members of the Conference were reeefved by cable from the Presidents or the Victorian, New South Wale*, and Bonth Australian Wealeyan Conferences now «tfciDg m the respective colonies. The Rer W J Williams was appointed ministerial representative, and Wm Shapberd Alien lay representative to the Ecumenical Ooofereaoe to be held m London next September. H?he remainder of the session was spent m consid eration of the recommendations to the Gen eral Conference.

THE LATEST

SrOUTH AFHICA

Humoured Peace Negotiations

Fifty British Scouts Overpowered

United Preia Association—By Electric Telegraph

Received Wakapuaka March 4, 850 ft m, This Office 9 30 a m London, March 3 Sir A. Milner's sodden departnri from Capetown for Pretoria is believe! to be connected with supposed negotia tions between Lord Kitchener and General Botha. It is announced that eighty of Lori Kitchener's fighting ecouta wen attacked by a superior Boer force, ant (surrender-d after a prolonged fights sustaining twenty casualties. Thii report is interpreted aa referring to Oolenbrander's Peoutg Force, recently raised on the Bhodesian frontier.

De Wet's Raid Ended

Received Wakapuaka March «, 1 51 p ra This office 316pm London, March 5 Do Wet's invasion rf Cape Colony has ended. Men nrsd horses art precipitately swimming where the river widens near Coleßburg bridge, 3h« river is not running rapidly though m lood.

THE CRISIS IN CHINA

The Difficulty about Manchuria

United Press Asßociatioa—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

Received Wakapuaka Mar 4, 880 am, This Office 920 am Lomos, March t The Chinese peace envoys are afraid they cannot support Russia's deroaads at Manchuria, although awara it will mean the lose of the province and probably cause trouble with the other Power*, since only Bnraiam and Chinese would be allowed to trade m Manchuria except at the greatest dig advadvantage. Ohing solicits the Foreign Ministers' advice ob the matter.

Number of Whites Murdered in China.

Received WBfeßjrnaks March 4, 92am This office 9 45 a m JLondoh, March 3 The totaJ number of missionaries murdered m China was 134 adaltt, 12 children ; 70 adults and 28 children were Fnglißb, the rest were stated to be {Swedes and Americana

Army Estimates

GREAT INCREASES

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Received Wakapuaka March 3, 9 3am, 1 his Office 9 45 a m London, March Z In the army estimates India is re lieved of the cost of garrisoning Aden and transporting troops to and from that station. ' '■ The strength of the militia, including the militia reserve of 30,000 is fixed at 180,Q0P, with 110,0^0 more volun teers The Btrength of the irregular and partially trained forces ia thus brought up 375,000, of which the War Ofice » providing for 289,0qQ } at the coat of » million and a quarter

The Plague

United Preea Asßooiation—By Electrip Telegraph—Oopyright

(Received March 4, 11 30 am Sv3NE¥ 9 March 4 . The President of the Board of Health says there ia not the >]jghte*t doubt that the Antjilian's caie 7»> the true plaga©. He visited tbn troopshjn and foanfi it infjjsted wi|h r»tt, an§ many of them had died on the voy«ge. Ho exumined one and found that it 'had' Undoubtedly died of plagne. o\mn t who wfg Vnjjflgrd m th« hod, bad probably handled the dead rodents.

THE AiSHEUR'ION GUARDIAN^ MONDAY, MABCH 4, . 1901



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Ri*ea 5 43 6 44 6 46 5 48 5 49

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C)TRED 0? pHKONIO DUBRHOBA AFX'ES SHIBTT TEAKJS OF SOOTHING ' I suffered for thirty yearn with diarrhoea and thought I was paits being oared,' saya .John B Halloway, of French Oamp, Mies. ' I had spent so much tim* and money and itiffarsd to much thab I had given op all , hopes of recovery, I Wa« bo feeble from; i the effectt of the dUrrhcpa that I could do no kind of labor, could not even travel, but by accident I was permitted to find ft bottle of Cbamberlain'i Qolia, Cholera aad Diar rhcoi Remedy, »ud after taking several bottles I »m entirely oared of thtt trouble. I am so pleased with the result that lam KBzioni that it be m reach of All who suffer as I nave.' For sale by Ashburion Drug Oomp«oy



4 Cough (Jure, Wahoo, Koolibah and Benjamin Oum go to Ashbdbton Dun 05



OOTS AND BBUISBS QTJIOKI.T HEALED Chamberlftin's Pain Balm applied to a oaf, braiee, burn, scaW, or like injury will j iDHtantly g'tey tfce pain, and will h«»l tne jjjwts m 1088 tini? tban any other treatment $Jaie*« t^o injury is ver'J' «©vef6 i Wl!1 no"; a s%r, Fain Balm also «««i PheU matioirt, «|>rain«c DWjslJioga and IamSSAII For aale by Aebonrton Drt«g Oompaoy WANTED Known—That w jOiJplptna and OnolfiUßur #re feopghb AMr«^c6 horn the British Mills, and stand unrivalled (of variety aad v»laei—Mltcije!laodf«rafi '



'Ji^.,, m „,,„ .,. ,, l^ll d ...T»-i..irl<ii rrn-MMiiiiiiir. ir' — AHEAD OP THEM ALL. ALL PRACTICAL ANB^ EXPtiMKNOED BIDEKS » A V ABE THEIR FAYO BITES. Ttsey are the best that money eat* bay They are the cheapest m th» long ran They are thoroughly up to date They are good, honest machines PRICE—£2I. Call and inspect for yourself. We wiH guarantee to plemae and suit you. GATES, LOWRY AN 3 CO., Zealandia Cycle Works, BURNETT STBIBT, ASHBUETOH. T. 11. UISDRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS & UPHOLSTERERS. FUKNITUKE AND BUDDING OF 1 ALL KINDS MADE ON THE PREMISED. WE ARE STILL MAKING our FAmoaa Drawing Room Saitei m Plash and Tapestry, which beat Chris'church for price and qualify. O»U »nd nee them, JUST LANDED—A. targe außortinenti of Aastriaiij American, and Csnad'-an Chairs These Goods were bought before ihe recent rise ins prices, which enables us to sell at lowest prices. Bedsteads ar.d Toilet Ware—Largest stock m town ; at all prices. LINOLEUMS, T>UGS, /~\XLCLOTHS, INOLEUAIS, iAUGS, V/ILOLOTHS, In New and Chaßte Designs ; at all prices. JDGOB MATS—-All aoris, all nizm. Wo msirafactore all onr own Goods on the prcmiee?, of the beat material sod workm am ship, so buy frora us and encourage Local Industry ; besides, you may go further and fare worse than afc T. H. UNDRILL & CO.'S, CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS. PICTURE FRAMERS, AKDJ UNDERTAKERS, TAKORED STREk'T. Next; to the Building Society's ( ffice, and opposite Arcade.) JflOl MODF^LS JUST LANDED, MAH V IMPJROTBICBNTS. COME AND SEE THEM. ■pOUE GOOD BICOND - HAND CYCLES TO BE SOLD CHEAP. NO REASONABLE OFFEB REFUSED JOHN ORR & CO., WALL P^A PERS. TCTE HAVE TO HAND, per the last Home boat—29 Bales of the very latest ARTISTIC P<»PERHANGINGB, the Colonrings and Designs o which are decided works of art. Included m the shipment are Be»Qtifu Friezes and Borders to match the Papers. I hold the largest Block of WALL PAPERS m froath Canterbury Clients can therefore rtly uponh ing a large variety of each respective sorfc to choose from. J _fX _ tT HOU3E OBCORiTOR AND SlGtf \Xl 11 VI 1 \ WRITER. 1/1/ I I All I \\ Opposite Mam, O Bee, i f f XJLJKJ vli • Barnett Street J POBox 16. Te!o jhifs BKLFAST AND PAIRFIELD FREEZING WORKS MANURES, ARE THE BEST T7WB TUKNIP, BAFE WHEAT, AND ANY OTHER CROP. SPECIAL MANURE can be mad 3 for any kind of Soil, or description of crop. SATISFACTION GIVEN EVERYWHERE LAST SEASON/ MANURE CAN BE fcfJFFLIIFB JN \ Cwt, or 2lCvt. fr/CKS Orders received b/ 0AV133 THOMAS, J OR j A BbOCUXIOM OJET OAJNTIfiU.BtJU.Y, JL.lmit«d., OAITEBBUEY FBOZIN MEAf. ABD DAIEY PKODUOE EXFOBT COMPANY* LIMITED.