Mail Notices

Mails clow for the following places at under, subject to the necessary alterations: THURSDAY, Deo 12 For Northern Ports and. Westporb, per Eo! omahana, at 6 30 p m FRIDAY, Dec 13 For Northern Porta and Westport, also Australian States (due Sydney Deo I8oh), and South Africa, per Mokoia, at 10 30 a m

MINING

Auckland, December 11

The Auckland gold returns for tha current year to data are £650,907. This constitutes a record for many yeats, exceeding 1899, which was previously the highest for a oonaiderable length of time, by £9756. The total will be materially swelled before the output for the present year is completed. During November the New Zealand Crown Mines treated 2700 tone of ore fot bullion valued at £7201. Dsnedin, December 12 Today's sales-—Firab Ohanoa 8a 3i, Qi ; Golden Beach, 7s, 7», 7s j Magnetic 7a 6 I, It 6d ; No Town Creak 15s 6d \ Rise and Shine 15» 61

COMMERCIAL.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—QopyrlghS London, December 10 Wheat—English is quoted at an advanoo of 6d to Is, and foreign. Is to Is 6d on the week. Wool—The Ohok* clip sold ab 13 7 Bd. Wool is firm, wich a general hardening tendency* The total wheat and fbur efbat for tho United Kingdom is 2 466,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,345,000 quarters.

THE LONDON MARKETS.

The agent of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Aasocifttiona in London, writing under date November 2, reports as follows;—

Wool-—There Ins been little doing in the London market since the close of the September-Oo obar eeriee, only a few with drawn lots having changed hande. The fifth series of woo! sales at Antwerp opened on the 220 d nib with a catalogue of seme 24000 Buenos Ayres and Monte Video wool, of whioh 1200 bales were sold* The attendance to the close on the 25th waa good, with fairly brisk competition, prices for merino and fine crossbred wool were from 5 to 10 centimes per kilo higher on the rates current at the same auctions, but poor conditioned and inferior parcels were difficult of sale. The laet sale of Rlvar Plate wool at L'verpool was held on the 30 h ult, when 1081 baies were offered, of whioh 2145 bales were Monte Video and the remainder Buenos Ayrep. The selection was not ohoioe as far as regards the recent arrivals of coarse orossbreds, but there was & fair quantity of hotter claes merinos whioh were held over from oarly this year, and for theee there was good oompeti tion. As compared with previous sale ratee, fine croHebreds and merinos were 5 to 7j£ per cent vp 5 medium orossbreds steady and occasionally rather dearer, coarse oro3sbreds and L'nooko, par to \ I lower. The tenor of advices from the Continent is, on the whole, more satisfactory than from 'hi Home centres, where there ia a weakness in all save tha fine>b quUlciea, and »8 regards merino staple, testifies generally to tha depleted state of stocks Bradford reporbs indicate a very quieb trade, and sffords, bo far, no indication of a reoovery from the very low levelof Vdlusß recently established formedium and ooaree crossbred descriptions of wool. Aa previously stated, the dates for tho oonv mencemant of the frst three series of sales for next near is as follows, vz —First Series —Januiry 21st (the list of freßh arrivals to close on January 13th, or when 250,000 bales Inve arrived) ; Second Series —March 11th ( m list of fresh nrrivals to close on March 3rd, or when 250,000 bales h.;ve arrived); Third Series—April 2 )th (the lisb of fre3h arrivals to close on April 2isr, or when 400,0C0 bales have arrived), Ihere wtJ be an inteival during tha third srieß for Whitsuntide from tbs 16th to the 20 h May inclusive. Wheat -The depression in the Wheat Market whioh existed at the date of our last report has given way to an improved feeling all round, and values have advanoed 6ri to 61 per qr, pirtly owing to the falling t-ft of the supplies of English wheat in the county markets, but also to reports cf crop damige damage ir. the Argentina English wheat is of very good quality, but the qaantity offering is muoh less than id was, as the wet, damp weather hss considerably Interfered with threshing. Values are about 2i per qr dearer on the average, which ia 25a lOd per 4801b3 as oomparad with 28a a year apo. For White Whe&t cargoes there haa been a better demand for the Continent, and several havo obanged hands. In Aus-ralian to arrive a better buslotaa has been done. On the 25 h ult) a sailer cargo of Now South Wales wheat was sold for 28b, and on the foi owing day a cargo of Victorian, 5800qrs, made 29s Parcels of Viotomn have made np to 27s 9d, but about 31 under this price Is now the current quotation, while sellers of cargoes aek 28a to 29a 3d according to position, Ex granary here, values hava advanced Is 63 per qr, the present prioj 28a to 29s per 496Sbs. New Zaaland wheats have met with rather more enquiry, but the l>w prioe of English considerably interferes with the sale. Ex store values are Is better, I >ng harried now making 27a to 27j 6<3, and good shorb berried 26j 6d to 27a pea 496 bs. Off coast, the ' Gladys' with 10,260qra from Timaru, was sold at 263 for Bristol Oats—The arrivals of Foreign have been very heavy, but values have been steadily maintained. New Zj&hnd descriptions have been firmly held at unaltered prices, v; z, 24a to 25a for ordinary Bluff and Sparrow bills, and fgs to 25s 6d for Canadians per 384lba} common oats 20s 6i So 2la per 3201bs Barley—ln fine malting a fair trade has been done at 35s to 38s, and griadine sorls meet with more enquiry at unaltered rates „ ■ . . Frozen Meat —There is no improvement) to note at Soaithfield. Trade Bince our l&Bt has remained very depressed, especially in the o*B6 of frcji^n beef. There haa been a decline all round in the values of mutton, both English and Colonial and American beef baa been still furthor depressed. A considerable quantity of the damaged meat ex Papanui has now baen placed on the maiket all moro or lesß ' smoky,' and has lost) about) 3d to 4d j)?r atone In consequence. Of course, the best butchers will not buy it; For Canterbury sheep the demaol is nob large and values have dropped 2d per etone f bast weight and quality being not worth more than 23 6d at) Smithfield, down to 2s 41 and 2s 2d fur medium to heavy weights, but these latter are nob wanted. Secondary New Z -alands are weak at 2a to 2a 4d per a" one. In Australian sheep a considerable buuine-a has been done at Id to 21 per Btone reduction, viz Is lOd to 2i for Sydteys, and la lid to 2% for' Melbournea. Plate fiheep are moving alowly, and holdcra find difficulty in realising, although values ara now only 2^ Id up to 2a 3d per atone. Fc zao lamba are now not muoh aaked for, and they aell slowly at about late rates, bub there is no life in the trade. Present valises are ga 7d to 3s Id ex market, the former price being for heavy oarcaßep. Frrzan beef has been very duj? of 'sale, whjch ia not to be wondered ab, ooHsidering that American chilled has still further weakened to come email extent, and this latter description can now ba bought at Is 8d to 23 31 for forcß, and 3a to it for hinds. Frrs^n New Zealand is now quoted ab la 91 for fores, sad 2* 6d to 2s 81 for hinds. In tha Bust End of London frozen sabbits have been Bold retail at 3d skinned and 4d unakinn^d, and this, of course, hs.9 a !jad egfeot on the butohera' trade;

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

Sydney, December 11 Wheat—Ohick, primp, 28 8d to 2a 9d ; Milling new, 2a Bd, old, 2s 9d Flour —Local, £6 10* to £6 15s Oats, Algerian aud local, 2a 21; New Zaa land prime B grade, 2i jLld Barley, 2a 8 i to 21 91 Mftiza. prime, 2a 10i to 2s lid Bran 9d to 9£d j pollard, 10|d Potatoes—S3 6s to £3 10a Onions-£4 Butter, creamery, 9£d j cheese, New Zea land, 7d Baoon, 6|d to 84- Hams, New Zoaland, 9d to KM

Melbourne, Dec 11 ' Wheat, old, 2b 10J. L.tgo sales of new whp»t for early delivery have bean made ftb 2i9£d to 2* IGd Fiour, £8 8$ to &Q 10b O'ub, Algerian, 01d,2j 2d to 2s 44 $ new, 2i fco 2i 21 M»z*2a6£d Bran 8| I fco 9d ; pollard, 9d to 9|d Potatoes, £5 5s to £3 153. Onions, £3 to £3 5s (The above quotations are those ruling between merchant and retailer, and do not represents the slightly lower values obtained by a recognised broker.) Adelaide, December 11 Wheat, old, 2a IQd, new. 2i 9d to 2> 9£d deliveries are very limited I Flour, £6 10a to £5 15a ; Oats, Algerian, Is 101 to 2i 3d : Bran 9|l to 10 i, pollard, lOd to IOJd

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET

United Preaa Association—By Electric Telegraph

Chrissohuboh, Deo 11 There were fair yardlngs at the Addlngton market today*

Oat*lk.—Owing to a heavy and unex* peoted supply of fat cattle, prices showed a fun her I>j1! rf about la per 100'bs. Steers •old at £6 6a to £10; heifers £5 5a to £7 7a fed ; cows £5 to £3 10s, extra good £9. Prices ranged from lla 6d to 243 per 100 bs, Store cattle formed a good entry. Yearlings fetched J7s to 21e, iifteen months old cattle £2 4s to £2 10(, two year old ateont £4 Sa to £'i 153, two year old heifers £3 7a 63. Dry cows brought from 39a to £4 si, and dairy oowa £3 10a to £9 sa.

Shekp.—There was a fairly large entry of f*t sheep; much larger, apparently, than the requirements of the trade, and, in in conetquonce, the market was easier in tone. The quality of the sheep, however, was better than at last week's sale, and there were many good Hnfli o! both merino and crossbred wethers. The sale opened with a decline cm last week s rates for batchers' ewea, but improved toward* the end, Frerz'ng wel hers sold ab 13s 103 to 16b, heavy weights 16a; bait crossbred ewes 12s to 14s 6d, others 7a to lls 6 1 ; msrino ewes, bent 10a to 12a 6 I, othera 5i 6<l to 9s 6<l; inferior merino ewes 3a to 4i 9d. There were 1500 fit lambs in the yard. The butchera exhibited a keen demand and fre zirs were also active. Butchers' larnba sold at 11? to 153, fre«7,?r6 13) to 14s. Only 1480 store sheep were penned, an \ In consequence ot the improved feed prospects the.demand was good. Two and four tooth ewes and wethers sold at 10a 7d to 11s 10J, two tooth ewes 8s lid, ewea and lambs to 9a.

Pigs.—There was an average entry of pigs, with a good demand. Baoonerc ran from 34s to 50*, or 3|i to 3|i per lb ; porkers 22s to 335, or 3JI to 3|l per lb j stores 15s to 22s for large, small 8s 6d to 12s 66% weausts 6 > to Bs.

GERALDINE LIVE STOCK MARKET

The Garaldine live stock sale was welt attended yesterday, and there was a good healthy market, their being a fa(r demand for fat ewes, and two tooths sold well. The entry of sheep was about 2COO. Fat wethers and ewe« fo'd from 9j 101 to 139 4d, hoggeta 11s 2i, f»tewcß 129 3d to 12s KM, two tooth wethers 7i 71 to 9* 2.1. There was a large entry of cattle, and a brisk sale o! fat stock; Fat heifers brought £5 si, fit) flows brought £5 5i to £9, cows in profit £4, yearlings 26a, eighteen months' old and two year old oattle £2 10s, fit steers £6 to £57 Iss.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1901.

In an article published in yesterday's issue it was stated that there was no occasion for the colonies to send any more men to the front. Today a tele* gram appears in our column^ stating that Mr Barton baa received a com munication from the Imperial authori ties asking if the Commonwealth is disposed to act as Canada has done, and send forward a farther contingent, We confess this rrques6 surprises as, in view of previous authoritative state ments as to tho position, bat if it be true that it has been made, it of course alters the case with regard to the obli gations cf the Colonies. If the Mother land asks for 'assistance it must of course be given, and given willingly and promptly, now, more than at any time since the first spontaneous assist ance was ofFared to the Empire. But all the sime we think it is to be de plored th»t Great Britain with her vast unused army of loyal Indians should at this juoctuie be compelled to abk Australia to farther deplete the flower of her population, in a straggle which has been so unconscionably and needlessly prolonged. There are mil lions of men in various parts of the Empiro who would be only too ready to go to tho front on the p»y given to the colonials, for tbsy hive either nothing to do, or hava no liking for the ordinary occupations of life, Bat with the balk of our contingents it is very different. Many of them—the majority in fact have been withdrawn from some useful employment, »nd their withdrawal has been severely felt in somo cases, whilst the worst of it is tint fully eighty per cent of those who return will never settle down to "hard grefi" •g«in. This is one lesson of the vr*r which wo cannot afford to ignore. However, as we said before, if the Imperial authorities have asked for more mon from tha colonies, more mon will havo to bs Beat, All the same it seems to be * tactical blunder under the circumstances, and foreign nations are very likely to put an un favourable interpretation upon it.

Feferuinq to Mr Seddon'a change of front towards the Farmers' Union ? the Ohristcburch enANQK o* 1 FRONT, Tnptk saya:—The Unioa is still ac mach in favour of the freehold to day as it was five months ago, while there is little modification in the plat form, which the Premier attacked »t P»biatua. and which Mr Laarenson compared with the old platform of the National Association the other day afc Ashburton. But while five months ago the Farmers' Union was a small North Inland Society, straggling to gain a footing amongst the farmers, and without any influence to speak of, the Farmers' Union to-day extends from Three Kings to Stewart's Island, and its branches flourish in every county in the colony. Mr Seddon has read aright the signs, and his attitude towards this now powerful combina tion of men has consequently lost its menace. He has discovered the ad- SFuntage of onion Having got this far it is to be hoped that the premier m\\ go further. It is too much to expect that he will immediately see eye to eye with the Union on all the ! subjects with which its platform deals, but it is encouraging to know that he ! recognises its importance, and its value to jtbe farmers. Ife will have less excuse in future for disregarding ijfcs recommendations or for opposing its wishes, and hia supporters will pro | bably be less ready to rush in where tbejp political phief fears to treacl

Di?cusstK«t country newspapers recently, a; leading public mas remarked that mmy of their editors seemed to COUNTRY NEWS- imagine they were expected papers* to give their opinions on the same subjects which were nsually dealt with by the great London dailies; the policy of the Empire, eugaet tiona to the Car, and so forth. Only last week a newspaper in a small country town in New Zaaland bid twn of lush articles in the same iaeue; one wm criiic'stna; the Bustian Navj and the other commenting on Borne changes in the Italian Army> Country papers should confine thsmaelvea to furthor ing the ioterest» of the'r own district and thoße of the public generally, and ihould not aoncern ihomsclvcs with matters their ! readers do not oare two straws about, The gog observance of this point fnquectly makes, whati might) bo a useful ccuntry j >umal with great) itiflaenco, a mere adver tising sheet with none.

Local and General.

Weather Forecast; — Captain Edwin wlreß: — Strong north to east and southeast winds after 16 hours from now ; glass fill.

Shooting! Match— The Ashburtou Rifije and lemuka Rifl a will try conclusions in a shooting match ab Tatnuka on Monday nex'.

FisHiN<B—Mr A H Shnry tells na that the Rakaia is only milky, and is fiahable. It should be perfect on Monday.

To Fabmebs —A cible from London which we publish among our commercial news today states that wool is firm with a general hardening tendency, Wheat has advanced la to Is 61 per quarter on the week.

Personal—-Mr Hugo Friedlander will jjurney to Auckland during the Christmas holidayn, and will probably be present) at the annual sale of the Wellington Park yearlings on January 3rd,

Ko Water—The channels on the West side of the town were dry again yesterday land today. This Is ge'ting monotonous.

LiURiSTON —A concert will be held Jn the Lauriaton schoolroom on Friday evening, December 20uh, in aid of the prizsfnnd.

Sale of Property—Mr F. Ferdraan reports thab he haa sold the property <jf Mr W MoAuslin, consisting of three quarters of an acre and dwelling, situated on the Alford Forest Rjad, to Mr Hoodie.

The Prbmier—The Premier, in his over land journey from Ohristohurch to Blenheim has been enthusiastically received all along the line, He was expected to arrive at Seddon township about three thia afternoon, and will be met by the Hod Mr Mills and an influential deputation! The Premier ad dresses % public meeting ab Blenheim tonight

The Eakth Hunger—Mr Alex Pringle and Mr John MoLaohlan, MER, mambers of the Canterbury Land Board, stated in Timaru yesterday, at the ballot for the Rapuwai sections, thab they find the earth hunger as keen as ever it was, and a good many more settlements will have to be disposed of before the demand ii Batißfisdi

The FiRbT of the Season—Mr George Robertson, of Winohmore, sent a line of sixty four lambs to the Fai fhld Works on Tuesday, whioh was the first line killed, with excellent resulbs. They are classed extra prime first and second cross English Leicester and Down end average 40£'b each

The Grass Grub — The Ellesmere Guardian Bays the grass grub, or rather its beatle, is very busy jci3t now devouring green leaves of every dasoription. Th*y are working havoc in the mangold drills, cutting off the young plants as coon as they show a green seaf.

Allegro Thefi—At Lyttelton yester day, before Captain Whifcby and Mr S. R, Wabb, J.P.s, Michael O'Shea was charged with having broken into the Aitord Forest Hotel, aad stolen three bottles of whisky. He was remanded foe eight days, to be brought up at Methven.

The New System 0? Balloting -Mr J, McL'Achlau intends to move a resolution at tha sitting of the Land Board io Chrietohuroh today, calling the attention of the Government to the unsatisfactory nature of the new regulations for balloting under the Lands for Settlement Act. Under fcho new system it took one hour and a half to dispose of the five sections at Bapuwai yesterd»y, whereas under the old system it would have taken only twenty miautes.

A Protectionist —Me Warren, one of the candidates for the Cdwersham seat, is of opinion that one of the greatest blessings we oou'.d have in New Zealand wonld be a prohibitive tariff on everything we can produce in New Zealand, and to admit free everything we cannot produce. This statement was applauded.

A Backward Season—A settler who has been closely identified with the Wyndham district since 1862 informs the Farmer that, with the exception of tha of 1865, the present has been the most backward and changeable season he his ever known in hta long experience. The '65 season whishmaiked the 'rash ' to the West Coast diggings, was of a very similar mfcure to the present one.

Outlook for the North Island Pas toralists—Pastoralists in the North Island seem to be in for a bud time, for, in addi tlon to the low prioo for wool, there has sow been a serious fall in the value of cattle and she ap. The other day two deahre tfougbSi a line of cattle ab Danoevirke, at which they considered was a low figure. They fully expected to make a profit by aejUing them again: After several attempts they were forced to quit them at a loss of from 8s to 9a per head. Buyers at Patea have dropped the prioe they are prepared to give for sheep by about 3g each, Mr Nelson, of Neleon Bro?., gives tha price of fat shoep during the past five years aa foUowa :—1897-98— Wethera 89, ewes 53, 1898-99—wethers 83 3.1, ewes 5* 6d, 1899-ISOo—wethers 9s, ewe a 7a, 1900-1901—wethers 12*. ewes 103; end of 1901—wofchers 13a, ewen lla. Going baok a a stitge further to the early days of freezing, Mr Nelson points oat that many owners of wethers only realised from 2a 6d to Si, and some lea?. There is also a decline its pricoa in the Hawke's Bay diatriot.

A Sign of Exckiubnce — One of the moab remarkable things in connection with the cycle trade is the thorough consistency of the high quality of Rudgc-Whitworth cycles. Whatever else may alter that remains the same, heuoe the secret of the Rudge Whltworth success; When yeu name Rudge Whitworth you express terseiy all thab is boat) in bicycle manufacture. —R D John ston, City Cycle Works, Burnetb Street, la the local ftgoab

Dried Fruits—lb seems strange to a« th»t New Season's' Dried Fruits, saohas currants, sultanas, etc, are sold cheaper in Aahburbon than by any of "the Chiistchurch bousei, whioh any of our readers will readily ace by oomparing Messrs F.etcher Bros advertise ment with any of the Ohriatchurch Btore~ keepers' advertisement). We oonsider they should be well patronised on account of their keeping the prices of groceries to the lovreßS payable level. There is no doubt about ib, If they were net doing business in Ashburton our readers would have tb pay far higher for their goods. So therefore it is to your interest to give them all the business yeu can.

An Ashburton Boy Returned—Ser geant Arthur Willis, formerly of the Aehbur ton Mounted Riflae, has just arrived in Wellington from the front;, and is expected home on Tuesday.

Annivjee^aey Day—ln response to a requisition signed by several of the retail tra3ers,the Mayor has proclaimed Monday, December 16th (Anniversary Day), a public holiday, in lieu of Thursday the 19oh.

Memorial to the Late Sia John M'Kbnzie—Tenders are now being invited for the erection of a memorial cairn to the late Sir John M'Kenzle. It is to be of unhewn sfcone, 68tt high, tapering from 30It in diameter at the base to Bft at the top surmounted by a Maltese cross 9ft high,

Nelson Hae»our -The plans prepared by Me Leslie Reynolds for the improve ment of the Nelson Harbour have been approved It Is proposed to borrow £65,000 to carry out the woik.

Dr Funtbb —Our readers will be pleased to learn that Dr Hunter has so far reoovared that he has been able to go away for a few weeks for a change. He left Ashburton on Monday, and everybody will wish him a pleasant time, and complete restoration So health.

News in Brief.

A syndicate ia being formed at Wanganul to run motor cars throughout the district. A kauri tree was recently felled in Auck land whicli b estimated to produce 60,000 ft of sawn timber, worth about £300. Messrs Fletcher Bros are giving sevecpsnce per dozan for fresh eggs ja any quantity until farther notice?

An objector to the tipping system in hotels etateß that) there is a certain hotel in Manchester where the head boobs pays the manager £200 per annum for his j >b, and that) he is able to dear between £700, and £1000 » year. Fjuc stowawaya were found on the barque Akaroa when that vessel lefb Liverpool for Wellington, and were broughb on to Naw Zealand. Una of them was a small boy, who said he wanted to settle in this country. Railway excursion fares for Aoniveriary Day, the Timaru Trotting Raoas, the United Schools' Sports at Aahburton, and the Floral Fate at ChrUtohutcH, are advertised io another column According to the Literal, some time ago at a ohuroh up in the Olago rabbit country, a young ooaple wenb to get married, The bride's name was Oates, and the bridegroom's Wheat. The osremony passed off very well, until the newly married couple turned up the aisle to come out), when someone in the oongregatinn started singing 'What will the harvest be 1 which was speedily taken up by the rest of the congregation. Then there was & large grin. Notwithstanding the effects of red rußt and the considerable quantity of wheat cub for h&y in South Australia the Minister for Agriculture, who has just returned from a visit of inspection in the lower north, is still hopeful that his estimate of a seven bushel harvest will be realised.

Magisterial

ASHBURTON-THURSDAY.

(Before 0 A Wray, E?q, S.M)

CIVIL CASKS. A. Lac v Thomas Webb, claim 16s sd, for carting oats. Defendant denied that the oaca were his or that 113 gave ordera respect ing them. -— After oorfliotinfi; evidence, judgment was given for plaintiff

Hughes v Bsrryman. claim £16 173, and a counter claim of 16a 5d ; Bruce v Barryman oUim £2, were eaoh adjturaed until the 19,h iaeti,

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not bold onrgslves responsible! for opinions expressed by onr oorroapondfnts

THE WBirCOMBE PASS.

tfO THE EDITOR,

Some days ego I noticed a local in the Guardian stating that Miss Ethel Jones and a Miss Golman had started for a pleasure trip, intending to go through to the West Coast via Whitcombe Pass, and that Mr Fred Duncan was going as a guide. 1 a'ao m t'ced in Tuesday night's Guabdian a letter from Miss Jones, giving an account of ihe trip as far ac Bate Damp. This, I bake to b; Duncan's hut on the Rakaia, some six miles from the Fass, Miss Jones states that her nerves were tried to the utmost in descending a steep hill. Thic, I presume, is oa the lake Downs, and could have been avoided by following down the lake stream into the Rakaift, then keeping close under fche Downs for a mile or so. The travelling would not be much worse than the Ashburbon riverbed; then the road gets rougher the farther you go up. However bad Miss Jones may think the road is so far as they have travelled, they will find in ten times rougher further on, and I do not know what they will do when crossing streams, as the streams are not like those down here, but more like elnioes, and the risk these two ladies are taking U out: of all reason, and only strong men can cope with the hardships th%t have to be undertaken in crossing thpse passes 1 Had these venturesome young women taken a guide that) was abe to render some assist* ance, should any trouble occur, they might get through, but I doubt it, and 1 consider that the relatives ought to follow them up an d bring them back again. Otherwise, the obituary notice Miss Jones speaks of in her letter might be required for more than one of the party*—l am, etc, Wdeß Oompton

Bible Reading in State Schools.

CONFERENCE AT AUOKLAFD.

United Presa Asaociation—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Auckland, Dec 11

A conference on the question of Bible? reading in State schools w^g held this morning. The Primafco, Blahop Oowle, prf aided. There were also present the Bishop of Wellington, Rev C H Gailand (president of the Wesleyan Conference, and others* Bishop Wallls introduced the proposals whjch hid baen agrae<| apon by the ministers of all Probaatanfc denomina tions in Wellington, viz, (1) That Government schools be opened daily with the Lord's paayer ; (S) that on certain days simple lessons on selected portions of the Bible ha given by teachers daring school hours, provided (a) that these lessons shall be of a strictly undenominational chaxacter (b) that teachers who conscientiously objact to give these lessons shall not be compelled to do so ; scholars whose parents have con* Bclentious objections shall not be compelled to receive them. 1 It la proposed that these portions be selected, »ai simple notes furnished by a committee of representa tives of the various Christian denomina tions. The conference unanimously agreed on the above proposals, and it was resolved that they be brought before the Auckland Ministers' Association at an early date. .

The Caversham Seat.

United Press Association—By Eleofcilo Telegraph—Copyright) Punkdin, December 11 Mr T X Bidey, a candidate for the Caver eham seat, addressed the electors tonight, Hiß spsfiOh dealt largely with the deßp !o'v of oontiogenls and local matters. Ha wou d support the Government. While he was s, freetrader, He thought the colony required a measure of protection, The candidate had ft good reception, bat do vote w%s proposed.

SOUTH AFRICA

United Preßß Association—By Eleobrlo Telegraph—Copyright

KITCHENER'S WEEKLY REPORT

CHAIN OF BL OK HOUSES COMPLETED.

SYSTEMATIC OPERATIONS PENDING.

S.K. ORANGE COLONY CLEARED

London, Dec 11 L<>rd Kitohenpr's weekly report states that 31 Boers were killed, 17 wounded, 325 taken prisoner, 35 surrendered, and tint 345 rlflbs were captured. Owing to the completion of blockhou«e» from Orugspruit to Greylingstradt, Geaeralc Bruce Hamilton, and Pluinar and Colooat Spenoe ara about to oonduob systematic *nd continuous operations in the Ermelo, Bethel, and Carolina districts.

The South E*«tern districts !o the Orange Colony have been cleared of Boers, and the British columns are returning north to Thabsnchu.

In a skirmish at) Walkeritoorm on the 16th (net ten of the Fifth Queensland Bushmen were wounded,

London, Deo 11 Private Mason, c£ the Queensland Bushmen, was killed at Wakkerstroom. Ten were wounded, including a ser geant and two privates dangerously, and Lieutenant Loynea slightly The British columns now leave She women and childrsn on the farms, dis regarding their appeals to be taken to the refuge camps. The women and children are in great distress since the passing commandos do not supply I them with food

Kir H Campbell Bannerman, speak ing at BunfermSine, said we were no nearer an equitable settlement in South Africa than we were a year ago. While denying that he had slandered the Army, he declared that the Govern* meat's methods of warfare were not such as a humane, civilised, and Christian people ought to employ. He urged Lord Milner's recall

A FIGHT WITH DE WET.

De Wet, with 1400 to 2000 men, surrounded Colonel Wilson's small colamn, twenty miles from Heiibron. Colonel Rimington, responding to a heliograph message, promptly crossed the swollen Klip River and marched thitty-two miles, surprising De Wet, who permitted the columns to junction; When they attempted to retreat to Heiibron the Boers attacked them with great determination. .The Inni skiUiags Dragoons, the Third New South Wales Mounted Rifles, and Kit chener's Seoute were sent ahead, and became heavily engaged. Suddenly a fresh body of Boers swooped down upon the convoy, and began to unhitch the teams The Inniskillings and Aus tralians were thereupon recalled, and charged the Boers, who bolted. A general attack a p.on the columns also failed.

The following nigh*-, near Heiibron, the Boers planned the surprise of Oolo nel RinriDgton's cimp. He shifted, leaving his fires burniog. Two hundred Boers crept close up and fired volleys into the abandoned camp for balf an boor, and then bolted, when the British cheered derisively.

The columns regained Heiibron with email loss.

REPORTED REQUEST FOR FURTHER CONTINGENTS.

Melbourne, Deo 11 It Is reported that Mr Birton has received a communication from tho iTijenal author! ties with regard- to further contingents for South Africa, asking if the Commonwealth II disposed to RGt similarly with Canada. He will consult the Cabinet before taking defiuite action.

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.

Kaikoura, December 11. The Premier has received the following cable messaga from Mnjor Andrews, com manding the Sixth Contingent :— •* The Contingent) are all well. There are nearly 450 men in the fiald in spite of the continu ous bard work, which is distinctly creditable. The following promotions are gazatted :— As lieutenants, Sergeants-Majors Jnnes, Quinean, H&roldemith . and Lovegan ; aa captain, Lieutenant Mostyn Jones.

A Call for More Men.

United Press Association—By Kleetrio Telegraph Dunedin, December 12

Id ooncluciiDg his speech at the High School, Lord Ranfurly referring to aendipg more mounted infantry to South Afrips said—" This guerilla warfare mjiitafes against a, return to peace and prosperity, and I should like to bjo the oo'pnies &\\ losik ob this view of the pa«e wjth the same eye*, and each and all contribute their quota speedily to terminate the struggle, and oncp more return our lands to the blesaioga of psags." (Loud applause).

The Coronation.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, December 11 The King's Coron«tioa is fixed for June 26th,

Land for Settlement.

United Press Association—By Sleetrlo Telegraph—GopyrighW

Brisbane, Dec 11

The Government have arranged, subject to the approval of Parliament, to purchase for settlement purposes the late Mr James Tyson's Mount! Russell estate of 45,000' acres at M'^i an acre. They are also negotiating for the purchase of the Dordandur estate of 30,000 acres.

The Plague.

A MAN DIES IN SYDNEY.

United Pro 8 Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyrißht Sydney, December 11

There is an active crusade against rats. Six thousand five hundred were destroyed last week. An extended inspection of premises disclosed no further signs of plague.

Another case of plague has occurred. A man named Derrlngton has died »t Waverley. When dlseavared the man wm too far' advanced for removal to the quarantine station. The victim is a chemist workiag in a city establishment where the destruction of rats has been proceeding for'weeks. ' '

REPORTED CASE IN QUEENSLAND

Brisbane, December U A man residing at Rutwyche is reported to be plagued,

THEi ASHBURTOK GOARDIaN : THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1901



;: BUSINESS NOTIOKB ' _ „ !V' n i. , , ——-~~»-~-~— ■...——-I. -» LOOKOUT! LOOKOUT! FOR MELLOR'S SPECIAL BOOT SALE IS NOW ON. CHEAP BOOtBS, Good Boots, and wonderful Value for tha Coming Show and Holidays. Compare cur Pr'ioee, Comr/ars ihe Value wi<h any other Boot Shop Price Liata in Ashbartoa. We are determined to nuke things merry for a few d»yi. ' " " • THE FOLLOWING PRIORS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES: Childb' Blaoki WhitP, orT<in Strays 2* 61 Gent's English Ouots, great V»!«i 10" 61 ©trli" good School Boots, Speoial 4j 6i Lvdiea' Walking (Shoes, very choice at Men's roal good Boots, very easy fiiiicg 7* 11' i6a lid Ii&fil&B 1 vary pretty Walking r'hoe going at Buys' Bjols, usml Pric jß< 91, now 4i 9a Ss lid Ladies' Blip ere,- only a few l'ai;s left 3? lid Meo'u Blaohera, beat Value in Canterbury Giria' Boys 1 and Maids Ankle Straps from 6* lid 2s 3.1 to 4a 9J BIMEMBERi If you Shop with w you nave Money. We ask you again to Oomparn oar Prices, and wa are sure you will be convinced that MELLOK'd is by far ihe beet Home {or Yahe in Canterbury Note the Address— JAMES MELLOE, TANORBD STEBET, ASH BURTON . ffl^_^Lll iii l jj Ll i ll M W .Mi»iii«ii«iiiiiliwwi«"»«"««"'l""l>l1"™11'111" 11 "■—■"■■■■■' inn rnnnwin * »>v«tni» H M. JONKS _H. M. JONES SANTA CLAUS AND FATHER CHRISTMAS ARE COMING AOAIN To Uhcer tho Young, and remind the Old the yeara are parsing away mHK Undersigned has a very Lirgfl and WoU Selected Stock of Books, Stationery, JL Fancy Goodi, Toys, Ohina acd Gla b, Leather and Plated Ware, Suitable for Gifta. Rsward?, and Presentation purposes. Imported direct from Loading London and Conhmer. -lßiH°a"e- BOOKS. BOOK*. BOOKS. From Ward, Look arid Co., Oaaselle and Co., Holder and Stoughtca, Griffith, Farren and Sons, Univerdty Press, London Sunday Uuioo, and Others TOYS. TOYS. TOY<*; TOIS. Great Variety, from Id Doll to a Steam Engine; : DOLLS. DOLLS. DOLLS. SloeDiaa Delia and Wirisawake Djlls, Jointed Dollb, Breaksbla »nd Unbreakable Dolle. FANCY GOODS. FANCY GOODS. Panel, Pocket) Booite, Letter Oaees, (Silver Mounted), A'buma, Photo Frames, Deeke, Wotk Boze», Tourlits' Oaspn, Ink Stands, Dressing CUses, Maeic Oaeea, Jewel Oases, Blotters. Cabinets, Glove B)xes, Companions, and many other lines too numerous to -pMtloalwise OHINA oLasS| PITTED, AND LBATHSHWARB BIBLES in Great Vdriety, Prayer, and Hymn, and Tune Books. CHBISTMAB CARDS—Beatstifcl Hand Painted Card*-, la. Album of Forty View of Asbbanoa, la ll 260 SawiDp^, Plaßin^r- Moulding 1, NEW SAW~IIILLS. 11111 ""■" "*& | JI™ I"'*1 "'* IN ORDEE to meet the demands of the Trade, we have erected in connection with our Timber Yards in West Street, a Complete bawing, planing- and moulding plant. 'seasoned timber, We are now in a position to supply oar Olients with SEASONED FLOOBIKG, M&TOHLINItfG & MOULDING of every description. Bands*win.; to order, and Brackets and Fretwork executed to any pattern nquired SUPPORT LO3AL INDUSTRY JUST LANDRD-Ex Lizzie Taylor, 47,000 feat RED PINE Ex Huis, 22,000 feet WHITE PINK Ex Helen, from Hobarb, 22.C00 feeb BLUE GUM IN StOCK—Doors, Sash«ja, Gates, Hurdlae, Brick?, Camenb, Llmei anJi every teqalaite for the Trade W. H. COLLINS & CO,, Hardware Merchants, House Decorators and Painters, Sawmillers, Timber and Goal Merchants, and Suppliers of every Requisite for Building Purposes. EAST AND WEST STREETS, ASHBUB/TON. P.O. Bos 35. Telephones 14 and 15,



Don't Teas c' ♦ •) ■■ NEW Z&AhMZQ CLOTHING FAOTORT HAS ft reputation for BOYS' CLOTHING tbat the following lines uphold : GALL AND INSPECT Bop' Sailor Suits 5a 61 Boys' Melville Suits 9-> 6d Boys' Norfolk Suits lla Boys, Norfolk Suits 15j Boys' 3 Garment Suits 181 6i Boyb' Kharkte Suita 7s Boys' Washing Blouses 4< U^raafceed to bo the v«ry best qualxxv OBTAINABLE for the HQOLey. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING T? AOT OR ¥ LOTHIJSG J? ACTOR V J. WILSON HAB » LABGE &BSAUTIFU!i STOLK OF AKII3TIC WALL PxlPEliS, Cheap or Expensive, to Suit All Glasses of Booma BORNETT STREEI) BARGAINS in Bwte, Birg=iinß in Boots, at Mellor's Special Biot Sale 1?OR Beat "Yalae in Ameacan Glass ware, Eupjlibh China and Earthen Ware* Cutlery, and Electroplated Goods, %g to C/ABSok asb Co, Tancred Street



First Shipment JUST ARRIVED. To be followed by Regular Shipments direct from Ceylon by every Mail Boar, OB 1 THE RENOWNED CEYLON TEA. npHE SIRVANA TEA COMPANY, JL Colombo, Ceylon, have made arrangements to send to New Zealand REGULAR SHIPMENTS OF THEIR CHOICE. CEYLON TEAS, feeling sore the Tea drinking public will much appreciate a PURE, OHOIOE OEYLON TKA. Direct from the Grower, UN TAMPERED WITH. KSk BEAD THIS— Thess Teas are Packed in Ceylon, and are absolutely PURR. People rarely consider tha DANGER of drinking low class Teas. NIRVANA is the highest; grade known to the trade, and is sold by all leading grocers at the eanae price [as ordinary Tea. ASK FOR IT. i DON'T FORGET t!hE NAME. Sole Agent) Appointed— J. T. COOCJH, Ashburton. Free Bample and Pamphlet on application PRINCE Albert Private Hotel, Wills Street (near Railway Station and Post I Office) ABhburlon. Under New Manage ment. Firet Class Accommodation for Biarderp, the Travelling Public, and Fami 1 lias. Good Table krp% Hot and Cold Bittas, Tariff moderate. Looae Boxes for Horses. Letters and Telegrama promptly replied to. —A. H. FKLLI \GHAM, Proprietor. 11176 /"I OVKRNMENT LIFE INSURANCE* Mr J H f TiiVeNS. of Hawera, insured for £100 in 1889, and his policy matured last year. He paid £56 li 8d in premiums, and received at maturity £125 9 , which is approximate!? equal to a return of all pre« mium3 with 3| per cent compound interest;, after bavin? been covered against the risk of death for 20 years, COPY OF LETTER FROM ASSURED Dear Sir,—-I am in receipt of your cheque on account of policy 14638 matured. This insuranoe under Tabla 11120 has given me j free insurance for 20 year?, and now returns Imy premium's with 50 per cenfc adder?. You : may use this letter if desirable | Yours Faithfully, Jas H Stevens; The above instance ifl only one of many hundreds, which arc now maturing at the rate of £1,000 a week. J H RICHARDSON, Government) In&uranoa Commissioner npHE ECLIPSE CYCLE 00., TANOBBD fcTREET, ASBBURTON. Enamoiling, Piatfng and light Engineer ing Work . KOOLIBAH, the wondetful Pain Ra liever, 2a chemists and grooara.



F. FERRIMAN I HAVE the following euira available to lend on first class Freehold Rural j Lands-£7OOO, £6000, £4000 and £1000 at 4|s per cent, also other stuns on lease hold. F FERRTMAN, Licensed Land Broker jj'Oß SALE, AT ALLSNTON, ABOUT 2£ Acres, situated on the continuation of the N.E Town Belt, upon wlvch Is erected a first class Hcuae of 6 rooms, and good Stables. Part of the land is laid oat in good orchard. Terms or oaah i F FERRtMAN, Land and E=Ute Agent FOE SALE, TAN OR BO STREET, A GOOD BOUSE, olosa to the Masonfc H*H. The Properly musb be sold as the owner is Isaying f)t Ohriatchurch. This property will let well F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agenfc FOR BALE, WAKANTII ROAD, A PROPERTY consiatins- of 1 rood 20 perches with house of 4 rooms and garden which is well laid out. F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent "ioR^ALK," A BARGAIN near the Woollen Factory XjL — | Acre of Land, with a 3 roomed House and Scullery, pump ihside. If you are Beckinsj a good home on easy terma Bee this F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agenfc ""HfoFsale, AT HAMPSTEAD, HOUSE of 4 rooms and l-Bbh acre of land. Price £85. F EJERBIMA2T, L«id and Estate Agent) FOB SALE, SECTIONS in various parts of the town and suburbs F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent —- TO LET, A HOUSE of 7 rooms and Scullery corner of the N E Town Belt; F FERRIMAN, Land and Fstate Agent TO LET, TTOUSE in Peter Street of 6 rooms F FERKIMAN, Land and Estate Agenfc HAVING disposed of my Practice to Dr Boyd, all persona indebted to mo are requested to piy this amount of their respective Accounts to Mr F. Ferrlman, Ashburtou, whoso receipt will be a sufficient discharge. ■ O. E. MAUDE, Ashburtoa, 20^h November, 1901



BUSINESS NOTICES MEMBERS OF FARMERS' UNION A RE informed th»fc arrangements ore now completed with the Commercial Union Insurance Corporation for ioßuring a*> reduced rates Employees of Members of the Ualon. Policies may be issued at onoo. Mes-bs Fmkdlasder Baos, Ltd, are the Local Agenta for the Commercial Union Company, 0 Hardy & Co, Agonte at Rkbila. (Signed) G. W. LBADLBY, Chairman North Canterbury District 11 106 KZ Farmer^ Union



FARMERS EMPLOYEES' ACCI DENT INSURANCE WITH reference to the above, we wish to direct attention to tho faob that) tha Reduced Rate of Premium ie due to the enterprise of the Oommeroial Union Offioe and now that the Contract ia in force, we trust the Members of the New Zealand Farmers' Union will loyally stand by the agreement entered into. We Bhall be glad bo receive proposals FRIEDLANDER BROS, Ltd* Per HUGO FRIEDL&NDER. Managing Director. AshburtoD, Nov. 30,1901 H 216 TO MEMBERS OF FARMERS' UNION £ND OTHERS. IMPORTANT NOTICE RE WORKERB' COMPENSATION ACT, &o. THE OCEAN Accident Corporation Capital ... ... One Million Revenue fob 1900-£878.492 5a lid. ARE INSURING FARMERS—Whether Members ef the Farmers Union or not—at the same rate ant! with the same concessions individually, aa any other Company ofters them collectively, ABSOLUTELY LOWEST. RATES ! GUARANTEED. ■ Prompt and liberal settlement of all fust j claims effected locally



TO FARMERS "TJETE may state that the Reduced Rates of Premiums now prevalent on all classes of business are due to the enterprise of the Ocean Accident Corporation, who have been steadily bringing down tb« Rales since they commenced operations in the oolony, and Farmers will fiad It to their advantage to call and see us before completing buamess elsewhere. .KIOOLL BROS., District Agents



Smoke New yeous



Smoke Now Yeuas



Smoke New Venus