Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1901.

Referring to our renent remarks on the attitude of the Trade Unions, it will be aeen that the Trades and Labonr Conference that has been sitting at Dunedin has aol even gone far enough to satisfy some of the Unions. A paragraph in another column informs as that the Tailors Union which ia sitting in Dunedin have gone one better, bat not » wbit farther than might have been expected, in view of some steps in the same direction lately taken by the Government. This Union has come to the conclusion that as the Hailway and Defence Departments require to spend a large asm annually in uniforms, the Government should be asked to add ft tailoring establish ment to the very considerable basinets it has already undertaken. If it were not extremely probable that the temptation to plunge into the new line of business suggested by our friends the tailors, will be too strong for Ministers to resist, thus saddling the poor iaxpapers with another depart ment, this proposal would be too funny for anything. But, seeing that we have &1 ready been made to embark in various new industries lately, such as cattle, horse and poultry breeding, coal mining etc, with the declared object of underselling legitimate traders, and j generally knocking out private enter- I prise, we fear the matter is too serious to laugh at. Nevertheless, the ludic rous side of this business %ill certainly strike outsiders. English writers have often resentfully reFerred to the famous designation given to the English by the great Nopoleon when he termed then •a nation of shopkeepers', Oan it be that his words were prophetic, and that New Zealand, which, Mr Grigg says, is fifty years ahead of any other British country, is galloping to fulfil them? But if there be some amongst us who may wish to justify the sarcastic epigram of the brilliant ! Ooraican, these should form an insig nificant minority in this country, when | the true bearings of this subject I are properly understood. The tax payers cannot even now be blind to ' the fact that, except under very I unusual circumstances, the State can j not produce any article, or do any kind of work as economically as it can | be done by private enterprise regulated by healthy competition; For instance, tot Gcvbrnment go into the English atock market and purchase cattle pri vately. A moment's reflection will convince anybody that the vendors will charge the Government agents more than they would charge men like Messrs Grigg, Small or Boag. This is a fact so well known that it need not be discussed. But even admitting for argument's sake that the Government could buy as cheaply as private breeders thoroughly understanding the business, the former cannot breed any kind of stock as economically as the latter can, and yet they undertake to sell much cheaper, so somebody has evidently got to pay for the loss. The taxpayers as a whole have to find the difference. Similarly, if the Govern - meat set up as tailors and boot manu facturers, they will pay more for material than other people, and owing to the larger staff they will employ, taking three men to do the work of I two, the ultimate cost to the taxpayers of the uniforms &o. will be much ! greater than it is now. There is one very serious aspect of this plan of mak ing the State the chief, if not the only employer of labonr, which ia that when all these proposals have been i successfully carried out, Ministers will be practically tho masters of every employee in New Zealand. This being ■ so it is not difficult to understand that tbe party which may happen to be in power when ail these reforms shall have b«en accomplished wili probably continue to rule the country until the Milleneum unices some political or social revolution should occur in the meantime. It is a fine thing and •> soble to lead the van in §be march of progress towards national freedom and advancement: But we must be careful we do not t«ke the wrong turn.

Local and General.

The Mayoralty —Mr W H Collins was this morning nominated for the position of Mayor of Aehbuston, Couma — Messrs Cooper & MUcdermott's Kinematograph will show here for a short season next week. loe. Acoidenib;—Home papers to haad by the last Mail contain aeoounts of a num< ber of fatal drowning accidents on the ice in various parts of Scotland. Hospital Commiitbe — The ordinary meeting of the Hospital Oommltbne called for this morning lapsed for want of a quorum, the only member present being Mr Stltfe. The Sooth African Advices,-—The eon fusion nod mutilation of numbers and name* io advices from South Africa is causing much trouble and annoyance to the authorities in this colony, who are charged with the duty of repeating to parents any noxb kin mes sages as to tha movement aud welfare of members of the Contingent*. A Nkw TrPi,—Mr P Galvln, editor of the Mines Becord t who recently made a tour of Central Otago, says he was moat impressed with the splendid body of men tha gold dredg ing industry ia building op. Dredge men, he thinks, resemble the intrepid men who are to he found on the Canadian lakes and rivers, and they are ready for any etnergenoy Whilst Mr Oalvin was on one dredge watch ing its work, three emergencies occurred in five minutes* They were nit met and dealt with skilfully and with nerve. Ladies' Dbuids' Loboe Soc»ul.~-The annual social of (he Aahburtoa Ladies' Druids Lodge, took place in the Oddfelfows' Hall last evening. Abont fifty couples graced the goo^aad all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves in dancing to music sop. plied by Mr Terris' band. During the evening aongi Were sang by >Bister Gobbe and Mr Moßaatb. The catering, in the hands of Mrs Haffcm, left) nothing to be desired, aad Mr J. Hannigan made an effi* dent M.C. Eesiohatiok ojp Me Frsd Back—Mi Fred jßaak, formerly Railway Traffic Manager for Canterbury, arsi for the laßt fifteen years General Manager of Tasmanian Government Baitwaye, resigned ihat position Isat week* Mr. Back is deeiroos of leaving at the end of this month, says the Hobarl Mercury bat has no present) intension of breaking up bis home irfHobart. It is stated that Mr Baok hag been ojElered, and has accepted, a responsible and remunerative position with the Chillagoe ! Bailway and Min.es Company, limited, in Queensland. The company contemplate wide [ extension to their railway system, and have been eeekiog some time for a man of fully ! Biaeareditfld experience. The Lsuneeston Ex -1 miptr sap it is currently reported that Mr Back is to Buooegd Mr Mathieeon as Commie- Bioner of Victorian fiailwafs. Mr Bapfc himself declined to state ' what his future wovemente wore likely to be.

Wkather Rkpoht.—Captain Kdwirs fore caste:—Strong westerly winds, glass fall again soon. FcHOOIi COMM3TTEE Eleotion—The annual election of School Committees will taka place or. Monday April 22nd. County Council—A Surge amount ol bus iness was dealt with by the Auhburfcon County Council today, and the work was ut through in an expeditious manner in a couple of hoars. /erbst—A man named P O Schreluer waa arr e&ted In Ashburtorx to-day on alleared charges of forging a cheque for £T0 at Hawera, and a farther one of £26 at Ohrietchurch. County Cotocil Rate—The Connty Ooancil decided to-day te levy a general rats of fd in the £, from Ist of Apttl to 31st March next, payable on 20th May. Tiwwamd Concert—The concert by the Ashburton Maeloal Union in the Tinwald Hall will take place to-night. Salvation Abmt—The Salvation Army annual harvest festival meetings will commence tonight. On Sunday special meetings will be held and a Friendly Society's church parade will take place in the afternoon The Botali Visit —The chairman of the Connty Council was today deputed io en deavour to arrange with the Governor that residents of this district be given an opport unity of seeing the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, whilst on their journey through Aehbnrton: 1.0 O.F« M.U.—The members of the Loyal Ashbarton I 0.0.F. ll¥* Lodge are notified in another column to meet at the Oddfellows' Hall on Sunday mxt at 3p m, to attend church parade. Govbbnmint as TAILORS—A Press Aseo • elation wire from Duuedin states that at a conference representing the tailoring Trade Unioas of the South laiaad, which has been •itting there siooe Satorday, it was resolved that as Government) require a large quantity of clothing for the Poit Office and Railway offioials, and the Defence Department, they should be urged to eetabliah a Oovernmenb tailoring workshop in ene of the ohief centres of the colony. Next please. , Abchitectpral WoKDßns— The latest addition to the architectural wonders of Chicago is not s gky tcrsper, bat three ware homes, each 5200ft in length They are to be bnilt on Chicago Height*, and whan com plete will form the greatest clearing and distributing point for freight in America. They will afford nearly 760 aores of floor space under roof, and their railway yards alone will have & capacity of 5000 oars. Horticultural—The Dunedin Horticultu* ra! (Society is issuing circulars for a confer ence of pomologißta. viticulturisbs, and entomologists, to he held on May 21, at the time of the autumn agricultural show. Arrangements are being made with the Government or the Union Company to con vey tbe delegates who may attend from all parti of the colony* Papers are requested to be contributed by the respective delegates, and they at* likewise requested to bring fruit for a show.

The Building Tbaoe—We understand that consequent upon the increased demand for timber throughout the oolonygoaused prin cipally through the erection of go many pnblio works and the development of the dredging , industry, the price has been raided sixpence per 100ft at the mills So far, however, thb local merohantß have not put up tbe price. Iron on Ihe other band, has dropped considerably in price of late, end this combined with the facb thtt local contractors are not quite so busy has a tendency to make tbe prioe for ihe eree* ion of new buildings somewhat lswer than it has been for Borne considerable time " Tommy' 1 JmpbrtukrabliK —•* What conceivable cathcJyiem," asks ' Linesman' in Black woad e magazine, ** shall rob the British soldier of hia dinner at 1 p.m ? None that I c%n think of. He devoured It moving forward under s hail of ballets at Ooleraso ; he munched it laying prone under the terrific storm of shells at Yaal Krantz ; nor did he miss it on more than one day of the four extraordinary days of, Plater's Hill and then only because it could not be brougha to him to eat, and a man may not go to find it without per mission. And n w behold him hard at ir, a mils and three-qtiarters this side of the enemy, whom—-if he is thinking about him at all—Be proposes to reduce to mincemeat within the next two hours.' 1 The ssme writer, who evidently occupied an importanc position in the army of Natal and passed through the whole campaign under Sir Bedvera Bailer, thus speaks of B er rifle fire ; *' It was Imme diately followed by that continuous roar of musketry which the Natal aru.y kuows so well. Them is nothing to which one can compare the sound of sustained Boer rifle fire. A policeman's rattle or a hoy drawing hia stick alonf? area ratlings of an invalid's houae, will, no doubt, remind us in future of Mausers {in action, but it will be bat a faint reminiscence and will be required to be multiplied and hurried up, and generally intensified beyond the power of urchin or policeman, before It can claim in the least to be a phonographic copy of that qaern'oua and ominous crackling."}

News in Brief

All knowledge of the fact that he is in the direct line to the Throne is carefully kept from little Prince Edwatd of York, and the other day he heard for the first time the itory of King Obarles I and his unhappy end, 'It must be a dreadful thing to be a King,' was the little Prlnos's comment. 'I'm glad I'm nob going to be one. I'm going to be a doctor*' Lord Normanby is probably the only ma° who can claim to be marquis, elergyman, an" schoolmaster at the same time. He Je & csaon at Windsor, and at Muigrave Castlei near Whitby, he has a preparatory school fop Eton and Harrow. la our last issue we circulated an inset containing a few < ut of hundreds of original and unsolicited testimonials in reference to a new patent washing machine which the D.1.0 are introducing into this district. We are informed thab the first shipment of these are all sold out and that che second shipment is doe on the 13th iosb, and as some people doubt the ability of these machine! to do what is claimed for them, the firm—until the end of the present month—offer anyone a free trial of the machine in their own homes, ■tipuiating only that in the event) of not purchasing country clients shall return the machine free of cost to the firm, the firm' taking all responsibility as regards damage, breakage eta We would remind our readers that this splendid offer of-testieg the maohine free from any responsibility is only available until the 30th April, and all orders for free trial muit be in on or before that date.

The Federal Ministry.

THE HOUSING OF PARLIA MENT.

(Jaifced Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) Hobart, April 11 Mr Lewis has written to Mr Barton, asking to be relieved from attending the Federal Cabinet meeting*. He intimates that it is probable Sir Philip Fyab will bo appointed to the honorary portfolio held by himself, Melbourkr 3 April 11 The Federal Ministers will visit Parliament] House and the Exhibition Buildings to decide which is the more luitftble for bousing the Federal Parlia ment, whiak will probably lit on fonr days in the week, meeting at 2 o'clock ia the afternoon.

CONSULTING OPTICIAN

Mr Ernest M Sa&dstein, DBOAi.FR MO, who has lately returned after six years' special etudy in England and Con tinent, may be consulted on all cases of defective eyesight. Daylight not necessary artificial light being used. Doctors' pre Boripfcionß prepared. Fees moderate. Con suiting rooms, Caahel Street W., over M Sandstein, jeweller, ChrietchurcK 9to 12 2 t.oSd&ilv Hmoke New Vena*

The Accident fo A Christ church Nurse

United Frees Association—-By Electrio Telegraph Hokitika, April 11 Miae Ewart, who met with an accident on Tuesday, was cycling between Stafford and Hokitika, when ahe lose control of her machine going down Flowery Hill. Her face was badly scratched and bruised, but sustained no permanent irjury. Her left arm w»s fractured near the wrist. It was set br I)r Teiohelmann. The patient is doing very well.

The Wreck of the Ariadne.

United Press Aeaooiatioa—By Electric Telegraph Oahabtj April 11 The Magisterial enquiry was commenced today regarding the wreck of the yacht Ariadne, of 230 tons on the beach, two miles aouth of the Waitaki river. The vessel was insured for £10,000 in England. The captain of the yacht at) the time of the wreok was George Mumford, and in hta evidence he aaid he had been engaged in Sydney by Mr Kerry, the owner, and witness had engaged the crew. The vessel was well found in every respeob, but she had met with heavy weather on the trip across, some of her sail* being torn on the trip aoross Part of the crew refused duty for a 1 tfsne when orderod to take in sail in a gale of ! wind. He had verbal instructions to pro ceed to Dunedin to refit, On the 24th March they arrived off the Waitaki, about 3 pm. He then wore the vessel, and stood off the land for~three hours. He then wore the vessel again, and stood in for 2§ hours. Then he found 15 fathoms of water, and went below to examine his chart, which had since accidentally been burnt, and while there the vessel struck. He now attributed the fact of the veeael striking to the strong current at the place retarding the progress of the vessel from the land, and Increasing it on the inward tack. The weather was thick, and there was a still breize blowing. At the time he supposed the ship to be ?£ miles from the land. Before the yacht struck the boatswain reported down the oompanion, 'Breakers on tbe lee bow,' ard he ordered the helm to be put hard up, bub it was too late. Captain Willis Lloyd's agent In the colony, said he bad visited the wreck o n the 30th March. Captain Mcmford raid he had been constantly repairing sails on the trip aa tbe sewing had perished. He aiao said the vessel bad been leaking after the first bad weather, and also said he was much aßtonishad to find the lockers empty when broken open after tbe wreok, having expected to find eleotro* ware in them. Captain Willis said that Captain Mnmford's charts were not, in his opinion, sufficient for safe navigation. Coastal charts should have been in use. He estimated the value of the vessel at £5000 without the lead ballast, fie believed the vessel was built in 1874. The enquiry will be resumed to-morrow.

CABLE NEWS.

Sydney, April 11 The New Zealand and most of tba New South Wales representatives of the Bowling team visiting England sailed by the Omrah. The Prince c i Wales's Hotel at Nowra has been burned down. Two men named Wilford. father and son, perished in bed: Another broke bio leg in jump ing from a balcony. Several persons had narrow escapee in their night clothes

South Africa.

United Press Assentation—-by Klfiotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, April 11 Beater's Capetown correspondent states that Botha is prepared to reopen peace negotiations on bebalf of the en tire Boer forces. His recent visit has conTinced Botha that De Wet is mer. taliy irresponsible, and that his influence is diminishing Mr Bannett Burleigh reports that it is semi'-oiEcially stated in Capetown that Botha has had a farther interview with Lord Kitchener Colonel the Hon JHS Byng, com manding the South African Light Horse, has captured sixteen Boers and fifty horses, and a quantity of ammuni tion, at Bosmansdorp A British patrol guarding ■, a water bole at Agenthais, Namaqaaland, was captured by the enemy. The post has since been raoccupied by the British The Women's Liberal Unionist Association has printed for distribu tion on the Continent pamphlets giving authentic information in regard to Sooth Africa, which is counteracting the calumnies against the British The Marquis of Lansdowne, Secre tary of State for Foreign Affairs, has appointed a commission to investigate the claims of foreigners deported from South Africa to Europe V»n Reenan's and Luther's com mandos, a thousand strong, crossed over the river, at Mudefontein Drift by means of rafts, Twelve were drowned in crossing Corporal Borwick, a Victorian, and Privates Andel and Thomas, Austra~ lian Bushmen, were severely wounded in recent engagements Melbourne, April 11 Four hundred thousand sovereigns have been shipped to South Africa, making a total this year of a million, and since the war began of £3,425,000 Lieut. Kendall, of New Zealand, is amongst a number of invalids who arrived by the Ortona

Boer Prisoners for Tasmania.

ACTION OF THR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. United Frees Association—By Eleebrlo Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, April 11 After Mr Barton visited Lord Hopetoun, the Federal Oabmei held a fchort sitting. Sir George Turner was absent owing to indisposition. The principal matter dealt with was an enquiry from Mr Chamberlain whether there would be any objection to Boer prisoners being interned in Tasmania till the end of the war, Tasmania raised no objection; The Cabinet decided 6o inform Mr Chamberlain that it was not considered to be in the interest? of the Common wealth to receive Boer prisoners,

The Chinese Situation

United Press Aeeooiatsou—by Electric! Telegraph—-Copyright London, April 11 MDe GHers, Bnssian Minister at Pekia, has warned Li Hung Chang that instead of advancing the Chinese cause in the conferences of Ministers he will henceforth support a policy of the sttmosti severity* Collisions between Russians and I Chinese bave been renewed in Man churia . Sydney, April 11 The Ohingtn, with the New South I Wales Contingent, sailed from Hong f Kom tor Sydney on the^th.

The Plague.

United Press Association—By Eieotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, April 11 A member of the New South Wales Sixth Contingent, which recently »r rived at Capetown, has contracted plagae.

The French Premier

Paris, April 10 M Waldeck-Rousseau, tbe French Premier, is recovering from his illness.

The Franco-Russian Alliance.

*. I THE CZ&R'S ASSURANCES OF CONBTANCY. United Prnnt. Association—By Eleotrt Telegraph—Oipyriehb Paris, / y-\) 10 President Loubet has arrived at Nice and visited Gambetta'e tomb. He wag welcomed by Rear Admiral Birileff, who, by order of the Czar, has hastened to Nice from Toulon to prove hia constancy to the Franco-Russian Al liance by paying bis respects to M. Loubet.

Affairs in Russia

DISPERSING UNEMPLOYED WOBK MEN SATISFACTION AT THE CZAR'S ACTION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy righ t St. Petersburg, April 10 Five Russian and two Bulgarian anarchists have been arrested at Geneva in connection with the recent attack on the Russian Consulate The Russian Government Is sending the unemployed workmen in towns to I their native districts and closing tbe spirit stores during Eastertide. M De Witte, the Minister for Fin ance, has warned the Czar that he dreads the effect upon industry of any I declaration, as St Petersburg would be in a state of siege if the factories were closed, and no army could avert the disaster arising to the working olaeses, , Lagorski, the Russian provincial officer and a follower of Ooiaat Tolstoi, who unsuccessfully aeteiapted to assas- I sinate K P PobiedonostzefF, Secretary of *ha Holy Synod, firing four revolver shots at him through the study window, has been sentenced to six years' penal i servitude. i April 11 Much satisfaction h experienced in St Petersburg at the Czar's action in overruling the entire educational system. M Pobiedonostzsff, Secretary of the Holy Synod and leader of the Reactionaries, is described as sullen and careworn The Grand DukeSergius Aiexandro vitch tendered his resignation of the 1 Governor.Generalship of Moscow, but the Czar declined it The work of repressing the rioters 'a repugnant to the officers of the army.

The New South Wales Ministry.

NO COGNISANCE OF FIBCAL PARTIES

United Pretß Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney April 11 The State Minister of Lands has promised a deputation of settlers com prehensive legislation dealing with the rabbit pest, which is doing immense damage and causing the abandonment \ of much land in the interior The State Government {appoints Messrs J H Hayes and W Bennett Ministers without portfolios Mr See, referring to the formation j of the Ministry, said he h»d taken no j cognisance of fiscal parties. He con sidered the fiscal question had passed away. His only aim was to get good men

The Federation Commission

I United Prefi Association—By Kleotrio Telegff fcph~Oopyrigh t ADELAIDE!, A pill 11 The Federation Oocr mission Inspected the iron foundries at Gtwler yesterday, and continues taking evidence to-day. The Commission eat all day at Par liament Rouse, Evidence waa given concerning the conditions of the manu facturing and agricultural interests, | and the probable effect of inter-State free trade on those industries, the pos* eible market for New Zealand products fn South Australia, and vice vena, if the duties were abolished, Representatives of the manufactur ing industries almost unanimously con sidered federation would be benrfioial to New Zealand, as opening up wider markets-

THE LATEST

Home and Foreign

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyrighb Received Wak&puaka April 12, 939 am, This office 10 15 a m COMMISSARIAT FRAUDS. New York, April 11- Great commissariat frauds have been discovered at Manila, and several American officers have been arrested. SANDEINGHAM HOUSE, London, April 11 The King retains Sandringham Houss, the Duke of York being given the nee of Balmoral Castle; RUSSIAN MASSACRES. The Standards Moscow correspon dent states that the Rueaian War Office directly ordered the massacres of a targe number of Chinese at Blagovesk honk daring the campaign in Man churia last year, and reprimanded Orloff for asking to be allowed to spare the peaceful inhabitants. The Cx*r refused to further punish Orloff. COUNT TOLSTOJ, Sx PHTERSBuna, April 11 Count Tolstoi, in a dignified letter sent to the Czar in December, pleaded for religious toleration, thus relieving the Russion ruler of a tormenting responsibility,

Federation Commission.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrighb N Received W»kapoaka April 12, 955 a 01 EThißofljnelo23 am Adelaide, April 12 Mr Millar, member of the New Zea land Federal Commission, left for* Mel bourne yesterday afternoon, where he will inspect several factories. He will then go on to Newcastle, rejoining the Goramiaaion in Sydney. The Commis sion takes further evidence today, and leaves in the afternoon for Melbourne, where Sir John Forrest will be exa mined on Saturday. Messrs Reid and Jack and Want will give evidence in Hydney on Tuesday, and the Commis sion will leave for Brisbane tbe following day.

Australian

United^ Press Association—By Eieotrio Telegraph—Copyright? Received Wakapuaka April 12, 10.2? a m, ThiaOfSce 11 47 a m Sydney, April 12 Sir W J Lyne is surprised at tbe hostile criticism upon Fegan'e appoint ment. He thinks that the critics *« | speaking without knowledge. Adelaide, April 12 The Megister commenting, says that even the most indulgent critics find it impossible to endorse Sir W J Lyne'a action. Brisbane, April 12 The Courier eayg that if the appoint* raent is allowed it will be repeated by other Ministers to secure support. It ii tbe worst form of patronageandin every way is indefensible, and is ao inftiitict to tbe public service of all the Slate*, a reflection on the purity of political life, and an insult to Australia,

SOUTH AFRICA

the Boer Retreat Ibe Boer Peace Envoys Another Raid on Cape Colony United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Received Wnkapuaka April 12 , 9 21 « m This Office 947 % m London, April 11 Most of the fighting burghers in the Pietersburg district have gone to Clin nesport amid the recesses of the Zout* psnsberg, where a Long Tom has been also conveyed. The Boer women, chil dren, and cattle have been ieot to the Waterburg district. The British, on occupying Pietersburg, liberated Gene ral Bchoeman, and a couple of envoji frem the Boars' Peace Committee who were detained when they went to try to induce the burghers, still fighting, to submit. Bushman's land rebels hare occupied the towns of Brandv!ei and Nelskop in north-wpstem Oape Colony,

The New South Wales State Government

United Press Association--By Eleotrio Telegraph—Cop right (Received April 12,10.10 pm) Sydney, April 12 Consequent on entering federal poli tics, Mr Reid has resigned the leader-* ehip of the ttate opposition. Members eulogised bis leadership, at m meeting of the Federal freetrade and Liberal committee to consider the question of considering the organisation for future election work. Mr Reid in his speech said the free traders had captured the Federal Senate, and very nearly captured the House. He predicted that in time they would secure for the i Commonwealth the most sound Liberal tariff in the world. He and other speakers condemned the method of appointing Mr Fegan, The captain of the steamer Euryalm on which the smallpox cases recently occurred has been committed for trial for a breach of the Quarantine Act, In making a false answer to the health officer that no sickness had been aboard during the vojage.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

United Press AeaoolfttloD—Ey Eleotrlo Telegraph Donedin, April 12 Tho Otemata station with 29,600 sheep jointly occupied by Messrs Ritchie & Tesche* maker was sold yesterday owing to the partnership expiring by cflluxlon of Manet The property wan purchased by Mr J M Ritchie for £13,500, UUKE*IN, April 18 The Trades Congress to-day carried 1 resolutions against the issue of rotalfsator i permits on Labor day ; that Labor day be a compulsory holiday; that Government pay all their employees ordinary wagee oB Labor day. It also affirmed the undesir* ability of New Zealand joining the Com* mon wealth ; that government be urged to build workmens homes in close prox* imity to the towna and cities and grant e«y facilities to and from by means of train ,tram or boat; that the government be urged to make provision compelling all tradesmen taking orders, for tailoring to employ tailors or tailoresses such wore to be done in workshops belonging to the firm taking the orders ; to amend the amend the Health A.cb and relieving ptrents of the necessity of making a sworn declaration and payment of stamp duty when applying for certificates of exemp* tkm ; that Municipal Councils be urged to press forward the inoniclpalUation of trame, as electric lighting baths, lector© halls and places of amusement. The Sydney police have Qkbled for Con way's sister. She will prob*bly leave via Melbourne on Monday. Mr Denniston refuses to stand aside In favour of Mr ChishoJm being major daring the R jyal visit. PiuNiviaKE April 12 At th& Mangatoro Valley sawmill 18 mil« from bore, a married nun named Lawrie Christiansen was struck by a sapling bronght down by »trie that had been hung op. Hit back was broken in two pieces and he died while being brought to town. Wkllikgtok, Aprit 1^ It is hinted here that the' Premier may arrange to have Oolouel Bobin and 90Q Key ZoaiaDders retnming on tbe Toog*riro« ta swell the colony!* representation at the opening of the Federal Parliament. Mr Hogg, MHR, has been appeiated Chairman of the Teachers' Salaries Commit^ lion. ' ■ "-' Henry Jefferiea aiiai Frank Jtf«ry, pleaded guilty to forgery and uttering, aad was committed to the Supreme Oonrtt fef tfnteace. The Agricultural Dnj)<irtm«nt met to London by the the Kamara today, a small experimental shipment of dookUogl and ohickena from the Government farm, a$ Momohaka. Ihe Minister uf Agriculture agrees ia accordance with the request of a deputation to proclaim Patea a grading port. Chrtsichcbgh, April 12 It. is alleged that a earn of over fifty , pounds was taken from a a»f« on the pri *

THE >SHBOBTOH OTJABDUN : FEUAv, APRIL 12, 1/01



Ned Kelly Id his Buit of mail, W«« proof »gaio«t all lead, Aod how he laughed when all did fail) To lodge it iu h» head* Then leb us all be on our guard, While long life we assure, For coughs and colds have 3otne regard, T&ke Woodu'Grkat Fbtpk-sminx Uum



THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES Trains eave Ashbarton daily for— OHRISTOHUROH—ab 7.20 am, 11 am 3.16 p tn, 7.5 p in (express) TIMARU—at 1055 am,350 pm DUNEDIN—at 12.54 pm (express) SPRINGBURN—afc 4.25 p m Trains arrive daUy at Asbburtoa from— I €HKISTjOHUBO3—ab 10.46 am, 12.48 p m (expresa), 8 pm', TIMARU—at 10.35 am, 2.55 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 pm (express) SPRIKGBURN-«al3 9.45 ft m EPHEMEBie Phasei of Mood for April K) H M Fail nuon » 4 059 p m Lastqnarter — 12 3 27pm Apogee _ 5 60 pm New moon -. IS 9 7am First qnarfceit „ 26 3 45am PesSge* I|> S3O a m Dtibe BUes Sefci April 11 - &30 531  12 ... 632 529  12 .. 633 628 .. 14 . 634 826 18 .. 625 £24



GRAIN SOLD ON COMMISSION. Havhig reliable information from ear Agents in other parts of the Colonies, we are in a position to obtain highest possible price, for all grain placed in our hands for disposal, Shareholders should be particularly care fill to enquire from us und inspect our gesds before ordering elsewhere. WE have several really first-olaes Farms for Sale od our bocks, and farmerr : wishing to purchase would do well to call on I us for particulars :— ! 1000 Acres Lauriston District 750 .« Wakauui „ 1051  Ohertsey  j | ISSB „ Dromore „ I 1180  Springburn „ 276 „ „ .» 574 „ W&terton „ (E, F. OIBBON, Manager I lCftU_tfettMß Mails close for the following placet »s under, aubjeofc to the necessary alteration! : ; THURSDAY APRIL 11 For Northern Ports and Weetport, per Rofcoroabana, at 6 30 p m ; guard's van 9 15 p m. ForKaikoura, per Wakata, 1030 am. FRIDAY, APRIL 12 For Northern Ports and '.Wettpofffc alao Australir, (due Sydney April 17th), and South Arlica per Tarawera, 1030 a m.



Expenses of Management—9 Fer Cent on the Total Income, i Edward W. Lowe, Resident Secretary Branch Office™ Custom Honse Quay, Wellington. James Hair, District Secretary, Diatrlob Office"? Cathedral Square, OMstchG ch ""COMPARE"" ~~ ; %ggt TEA AT jjjj PRICE THE NEW ZEALAND FARM WRB 00 OPERATIVE ABSOOIAiIi/.i OF OANTEKBURY, Ltb Offices, Warehouses, and Grain Bteres : Went Street, Asbbartoo. EVERY Desoriutioß of Farmers Reqtiisitea at lowest rates. Groceries), hardware B»ddiery, Oornßaclrß,B ! Wool pa oka, Twioe, ; Oila, I'mware, i Horse Govern, Etc. Etc.



The Method of Valuation adopted by this Society Is of the most stringen i Character, and Ensures a larger Reeerv to meet Liabilities than that held by at. other Office In the Australasian Oolonfe ACCUMULATED FUND EXCEED £16,500,000 (SIXTEEN AND A HALF MILLIONS) STIRLING, ANNUAL INCOME EXCEEDS £2,000,000 (TWO MILLIONS) STERLING. Policies in force 151,741 Snrn Assured £45,628,090 Ossh Bonuses Divided ... £8,815,731 BONUSES. Cash Bonne for one year, 1899, £506,138, yielding Reversionary Bonnses amount ing to £942,500, after making speck reserves. Cash Bonuses declared or last five years, over Two Millions, yielding Reversion *ry Bonuses exceeding Four Millions. ASSURE YOUR LIF! IN THE AJM.P, SOCIETY. And Secnra a BONDS EVERY YEAR.



TO LET DWELLING of 4 Booms with Gardes, &c, fronting Cambridge Street, Humpsteftj* Apply to T BULLOCK, Agent mutual provident SOCIETY. NEW ZEALAND BRANOH: Head Office, Custom-house Quay Wellington. Local Board of Dibkotokß : ; The Hon, Morgan S. Grace, M.D., 0.M.G., M.L.O. (Chairman) The Hon. Charles J. Johnston, M.L.O (Deputy Chairman) Alfred de Bathe Brandon, Esq. The Hon. Edward Richardson, CM.G. M.L.G. John Duncan, Esq. MEDICAL Om»EB." Pr, Q B Aneon, ; M.D., M.R.O.S England THE Oldest, Wealthiest), and moat Prosperous AUSTRALAN LIFE OFFICE AND THE ( LARGEST MUTUAL OFFICE IN TH ! BRITISH EMPIRE. The only Mutnal Life Office which de clares IA BONUS EVERY YEAE



U WANT A GOOD CYCLE LAMP. Hew will a ' UUPLtX'hit you? C@OL..-lbis plains it all. The Duplex is 0001. A 000l hmplmaßßii cool gM, whleh N is easily controlled and makes an automatic Lamp possible. 000l g*i means a white light-, no cscesß prcßßure, and longer burning capacity. Uool BR>P* e*«?™ the burner and vulvee from cfcoking, and doe* away with tha danger of expansion and explosion. • , , », u . r €LIAN,—& clesn lamp always woike the best. The Duplex b alweyt c]e»o. ln« tope are alwayt bright. RemoviDg the bottom caps yora remove all Ant SBffl geditneat, and the lamp cm be filled and charged ia one quarter the time usually required with other knaps. JOIN ORR&CO. ASHBtJET OJ, SOLE HUB-OUTERS,



MR F. N. WHITCOMBE,, SURGEON DENTIST, gAUNDERS 1 BUILDINGS, (Opposita Railway Statlou, AnhburtonJ BEOS to intimate fchaft he haa commenced practice at the above address. Having import-eci the latent appliances direct from London and New York, he is prepared to do first class work at moderate fees. Al! wotk done with eara and despatch, atid oply the bean mktarlalf uied, Btoppißgß acd care of Children'a Teeth ft specialty ME WHITOOMBE will Visit aa follows:— RAKAIA—First and Shltd IHURSDAYS of every month at) tha Railway Hotel, METHVEN—L»Bt THURSDAY of every month at the Cantstbiwy Hote», Hopbb—9 till 1. and 2 till 5.



GREAT CLEAEING SALE OF PIANOS & ORGANS. KO SEASONABLE OFFER VEFCSED. The Dresden Pianoforte Company A RE bow holding their Anaual Sa!e of Pianos and Organs, when their large and /* varied stock of firat olans iE»tromentg will be iff red to che poWlo at wholeiiale prices fot Cftfh nr on the mm% reasonable te»ms. The iDitrnmfntß are en vmw »t THE Dbfsdew Agwov, Mb Bbnby eiEPHENsoN's ArcrroN Booms, H»ve!ock Street. Their Mr R A Horoe aacS Mr J A Coomba, mltnm a, from the head office, Dunedio, will be in attendance at the above addre^B. The Sale will last for a few weeks only, and intending parohwerß M* invited to call ah orce and innpeot the atock, when Mr Home will tupplf all Information ptqalred. If you h*ve an old PIANO, we will take it in exchange, or trtab it as tha Dcpoiifc It required. Full value allowed. 8 252 J A X BEIDLB, Qenaral Manager



GATES, LOWRY AND CO., have jru»x oi»JKr*ir.isj> nPHE VERT LATB-ST IN" ACETYLENE GAS LAMPS, THE VEKY LATEST IN OIL LAMPS, ■ THE VERY LATEST IN BILLS, Including the Electric Pash Button N Z Flag Bell, Large Supply of Fresh CARBIDE also to hand (Oar Oarbide Is crashed and ready for ase.) ACCESSORIES? at Chbibtchubch Prices, and Everything a Toariafc requireß can be obtained at Zealandia Cycle Works, BURNETT STREET, ASHBUBTON.



W A L L _P_A PERS. TITE HAVE TO HAND per the last Home hoat—29 Bale* of the very atest ARTISTIC PaPER.HANGINGS, the Colourings and Designs o ■which are decided works of art.. Included in the shipment are Bearatifn Prieaes and Borders to match the Papers. 1 hold the krgesfc stock of WALL PAPERS In South Canterbury Clients can therefore rely upon having a large variety of each respective «orfc to ebooee from. rmniMMNKpi s Qg<WMM«WBi J-ri-T-nr /-u r\ ikT house! decorator and sion- VV I I 111 I I I Opposite Mah, ©See, • ft JLAJhJ\JA."ik Bontete Street. _________ -I ___ POBoxl6. Telephone y.Z- CLOTHING FACTORY. OUB Winter BTOOK la now opened up— iiigimimnim JJfc 9 """""ia*acl" AH Wool PANTS and SINGLETS ... »• 2s Hd. 00L0NUL FANTS *nd SINGLETS ... . 4s 6d. Largest, Oheaprst, and best Assortment ever shown in Aabbarton. . K.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY.