EPHEMERIS

SUN.

Phases o! Moon ter May

MINING

Donedin, May 7 Today's sales—Golden River 7s 6d j Teviot 4_, 4s 6d ; Waimumu Central 8.

DEATH.

Koosb. —Ab Methven Boarding House, on May 3rd, Vennia Lena, oldest daughter of Vivian R'JUH-, Methven. Aged 25 years and 11 months. Deeply regretted.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7. 1902.

Ths report published yesterday of the discovery of a caspjin Lyttelton, which bears a suspicious resemblance to plague strongly emphasises tbe tendency on the part of the health authorities la this colony,-*© regard New Zealand as being safe from a visitation from the bubonic plague, Writing on this subject a week or two ago, we com mented on tbe folly of depending for protection against the introduction of the disease from infected ports, upon passengers therefrom reporting them selves to the H>ahh aut-hork.es. The Health Department is now advertising tbat passengers by the Westralia and Mokoia have not reported themselves as required, and it is stated that one of these haa been traced to Napier. Possibly, some of them are in this dis trict or elsewhere in Canterbury. We now see what a farce this system of arrivals reporting themselves is, and our remarks some time ago when we urged quarantining ves sels from infected ports are amply justified. We hold that should the plague establish itself in New Zealand, it will be directly traceable to the neg lect of the Health Department in not instituting proper precautionary mea sures to keep the disease out of the colony. Farther evidence of the inex cusable neglect of those entrusted with safeguarding tbe public health is given in tbe fact that when the case we have referred to was discovered in Lyttelton it was found that no provision had been made to meet a possible outbreak of plague either in Ohristchurch or Lyttelton. There is no occasion to be needlessly alarmed, but surely common prudence would suggest the adoption of some measures of preparation and pre caution,

Local and General.

Wsathbb FoaBOAST— Captain Eiwin wires: —Moderate northerly winds; glass fall. A Returning Ashbubtoi. Troopsb.—■ Trooper Douglas Re veil sailed from O*petown for Australia in the Aurania,

_? shburton County Brass Band.—The Ashburton County Brass B_nd has arranged to practice in the drlllehed this evening.

Eably Closing—The rotail tra.ers of Aebarton are requested to close their pre mises for the winter monthe, commenoiog May 12th, at S 30 p.m.

A Detsbbent—The Magistrates in Wai n-ate are trtating 'drunks' muoh more severely than they are usually treated io Ashburton. Several fines of 20< were it fi oted lasb week there, with tbe alternative of seven days' imp-isonment'.

Mortality Amongst Fhhbp—Mr Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, believes

thab the mortality among cheep, particularly hoggets, in the South Island, is practically confined to sheep depastured on growing

turnips, although ocoisionally oases may occur from grass rape and other feeding. He recommends a variation of the food supply, and the burying or burning of all dead sheep, U.A.O.D,—-The fortnightly meeting of tbe Star of Ashburton Lodge of Druids, was held on Monday ev.ning, There was a good attendance of members. Bro Mulford, AD, opened the Lodge ab tbe usual hear. The Visiting Bards reported bhab the siok brothers were progressing favourably, and sick pay was passed. Tbe Oommittee apr pointed at a previous meebing bo consider the advisableneßs of holding a Druids' Sooial, submitted their report, whioh recommended the Lodge to hold the Sooial on the 27 h inst, and the report was adopted. A con siderable amount of correspondence was read ' and disposed of, after which the Lodge was closed.

Inebbiates' Home.—The firsb Inebri ates' Home has been established ab North Harbour, Blueskln, to which persons suffering from chronic inebriety may be committed from time to time. The regu lations for same provide that tha oosf of maintenance of each patient shall be nob less than 303, nor more than 60s, per week, and the judge or magistrate shall fix by order suoh sum between these amounts as shall be paid, but they may also, if the Inebriate I. unable to p%y, fix a lower so <n. M m.y and stamps sent to persons In the Home will be taken charge of by the superintendenb. All parcels shall be examined { intoxicants, either in drink or drugs, without written authority of bhe superintendent, .hall nob be given to patients. Friends may pay visits, and leave of absence from time to time may be granted, patients guilty of misconduct may be restricted in extras, tobacco, and deprivation of amusements; and the Home is subject to inspection and free access to meFmbers of Parliament, judges, justices. and ministers of religion.

Farmin# m North Canterbury — In farming matters In the North Canter bury district the work of autumn plough lug is the mosb prominemb (writes a Christchuroh exchange, and since the rain?, fields are turning up easily under the plough. It Is expected that a larger breadth of wheat than naval will be plant ed. There is in the first place much land to be broken np and resown with graes, and the wheat crop has not been so well attended to for some years. Till the present, al. hough there have been acme frosts, the graziers' supply has been ample, and there is a good stock of turnips and rape. Slnoa experiments in feed ing sheep In sheds during rough winters ia Eogland have proved so successful, it may be possible to try a elml' system here. Though lb Is not perhaps likely to find favour with colonial ideas, hay, crushed oats, and barley fed to Scottish Bheep in Lanarkshire have pro duced some excellent returns in the weight of the sheep and the quality of the mutton, and the plan may be worth a tela I.'

Laurision.—A ball will be held in Mr Druininond'B grain store on May 25 in con nection with the Lauriston and Ljndhurst Sporting Club.

Botohbks' BAt-i.—The annual ball pro moted by the Ashburton and Fair fled butchers will take place tomorrow evening in bhe Oddfellows' Hall.

Maoisteriaii —At the Police Court this morning, be'ore Mr R Alcorn, 3 P, a firsb offender was convicted and discharged for being drunk yesterday in a pub'lo place.

Mount Sombbs Roao Boaec—An elec tion to 611 the vacancies in the Mount Somers Road Board, caused by the retirement of Messrs B Herring, W I Chapman, and .T A Carney, will be held on Thursday, May 29 h. Not_.ina.iion. olose on Saburday, May 17th

Ma P.nWM-kY at Rakaia.—Mr Smedley was to have addressed a meebing ab the Town Hall on Monday nlgho on prohibition, but for somj reason or other did oat show up. The Rev. P J Riddle was In the oh air, and -there was a fair attendance. The chairman made a few remarks, also Mr Hardy, who said he was nob a prohibitionist. It was a free country, and he liked his oup of tea, and oViers their glass of something else. He wou' ■ -fatly pub his views before tbe publio when he addressed his constituent.. Those present made early tracks for home.

Athletic —-L. MoLachlan, the well known ptofeeslo _al runner, received a cable m'eseage yesterday, from W. MoManus, crack runnar of New South Wales, accepting a challenge to meet him over three distance -200 yds, SOOyde, and 400yds—for £50 a-slide. The first distance, 300 yds, will be tun ab Oamaiu on May 24th. McManns, accompanied by A« E. Cummins, leaves Sydney for Auckland on Saturday evening next;

Hockey. —A practice match will b» played on tha Oval tomorrow, commencing ab 3 pm, sides to be chosen by the captain and sab captain. Matches have been arranged with the Timara and Rakaia. Oiuba, the former to be played ab Ashburton on the 15.h inst, and the latter at R-kaia the following week.. In view of these matches, it is hoped thab there will be a good attendance of players at tomorrow's practice. ♦

AiO.F.—The or':i_ary meeting of Court Ashburton, No 6729 A OF, was held in the Arcade Chambers t n M< nday night, the O R Bro T S Smith, presiding. Alt the officers and a largo number of members were present. The Woodwards reported one Bro. on the slok lift. After some correspondence was dealb with, the reporb of the Distriob Meet ing was considered* Oae member was accepted by clearance, and five candidates were proposed for ■ initiation. The Soalal Oommittee reported bhey bad a very success ful social on tbe 24 h April, and would hand ;n a etatemenb nexb meeting.

Bicycles fob Evibvbodv—l have for sale the following second hand cycles :—Btar £4, Anglo Special with free wheel, £10, Raglan £8, Sterling £7, Waverley £5, Anglo Special £9, Lady's Humber £11, Lady's Cleveland £7, Lady's American £6. All thesemaohines are in firsb class order, and are real bargains* —R D Johnston, Burnett street.

A Display in Lamps—The finest display of Cycling Lamps in Ashburton is ab MessrsOates, Lowry, and Go's, Burnett, Street, This firm have now opened up their new stock of Lamps, Oils, Carbide, etc, which will be sold at exactly the same prices as their Christchuroh house.

A Noveitv—The Khaki bloytfe is now being fisted with the two-speed gear hub, which nob only gives free wheel, but has the additional advantage of allowing the rider bo change his gear ab wil) from a low bo a higher gear whilst riding, and oan be In spected ab Besb and Towns's, Saunders' Buildings,

News in Brief.

Messrs Friedlander Bros, L'mlted, announce bhab they have several blocks of suburban properties, ranging from 6 to 43 aero?, for pifvate sale. A black and tan sheep 4 >g. whioh has bean as the Ashburton Railway Station aince' April 14th, will be sold at once unless claimed. Messrs Friedlander Bros, Limit.., in cod* junction wibh Messrs Dalgcty aod Company, Limited, will oooduot a clearing sain on Friday nesrb, on the ir.mlses of Mr John Withel', Ealing, The stock is in good condition, aud the plant is new, so there should be a satisfactory sale, Mosb racing oyoliste are in'erefited in the Gordon-Martin aobion whioh was set down for decision in bhe Melbourne Law Courts last Week. The aobion hat arisen oub of a olai'n for £50 ffifby pound*) by Gordon, Martin's trainer, for commission alleged to be due on (he American's ma of £400 ('oar hundred pounds), first prizi of the last Austral Wheel Rac. Many prominent rao ing men areeub^osiecTas witnesses on both sides, so thab considerable Interest Is attach ed to thab case in cyoling circles* Consumers of Fletoher Bros' well known brands of teas will see by the above firm's new advertisemenb thab in bhelr next bea oompebltion bhey have decided bo give a prize bo everjf. ae who sends in over 30 coupons. Firsb prize, handsome clock and broci_3 or hand painted dinner set

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold otjrß.S.e. responsible (o* opinions «pre-_e<l br oor oorreiponrtefltn

THE ABATTOIRS

TO THE EDITOB Sm, —In your special report en bhe Abat toirs yesterday, Mr Traill is reported to have said bhab bhe butchers real taeb of tbe matter is thab they do not like their meat being plaoed under inspection. With all due respect to Mr Traill, I totally deny it, and such statement has no foundation. The butchers have always been in favour of in spection, bub my complaint ia bhe way our Stcpk and meat is being treated ab bhe Abattoir*, which ie no credit bo bhe people conaerned,-*! am, $o, W. H, Rofcß. May 7th, 1902

FOOTBALL.

Tbe following will represent bhe Southern Cross seoond fifteen in their match with the High School to be played on bhe Domai-t ground bomorrow, Thursday Bth May, corn* mencing ab 2 30 ptn sharp—Northoote, Collins (2), Turner, Purse, Hunt, O'Kaae, H Smith, N Johns, Hepburn, Loy, Hughes, B Simpson, A Stock, A Bruce ; Emergencies —Gtidsel!, Tovey, Nicoll., and Bropbyi

Farmers' Union.

ANNUAL MEBTING,

The annual meeting of the Ashburton branoh of the New Z.aland Farmers' Union was held yesterday ab the A. »r>d P. rooms, Arcade. There were present—The President (Mr G v? L_adlev) in the chair, J Stud holme junr, T HirrlsoD, M Friedlander, 3 Chapman, J Stringfellow, J 8 Bland, O Doherby, B Taylor, O Reid, JON Grigg, T Stone, M Sbitfc, and others.

The President said bhab as there were no minutes of any previous annual meeting — this being the firsb one held—business would be commenced by reading the report as follows j —

Yonr Oommittee, in presenting their first annual report, have muoh pleasure in seating thab the Farmers' Onion has become very popular in the County. For a long time a greit many farmers had felt tbe need of some organisation through which oar needs may be presented, and attention flailed to the various burdens whioh interfiled with bhe prosperity of the agricultural por» tion of the community. The growing influence oi Tr.de Unionism and the trend of legislation were in bhe opinion of many sufficlenb cause for the formation of somo •ombinatloD, having in view the speoial needs of farmers, and theproteaiun of their interests. Oa Svurday, August lOih, 1901, a meebing was held in the A and P Room., when it was decided to establish a branoh oi the newly-formed Farmers' Union, which had been started in the North Island, and, Until then, had confi.ed its operations to that part of the Colony, Mr A G O Glass being the general organising secretary. Another meeting was held in bhe Oddfellows Hall en August Slab, when Mr Glass, who had meantime arrived in Canterbury, and had interviewed bhe Provisional Chairman, Mr Leadley, addressed bhe meeting on the necessity and advantages of the Farmers' Union. Several other gentlemen also ad dressed the meeting, and ab the olose a strong and representative committee was appointed, Mr Leadley being appointed chairman. Immediately afterwards a Con ference of all branches was held ab Ashbur ton. At) thab Conference Mr Leadley was elected President of the whole North Can terbury District. At this Conferenoe a very large number of very important qu.stioos were fully discussed, and very good results have accrued therefrom. During bhe six months tha Branoh Las been in existence muoh useful work has been done, Attention was given to the subjects of Aooidenb Assurance, Amendments to bhe Union Plat form, Concessions on Manures, and bhe Frozen Meab Trade, tha last sub j sob being introduced by Mr Thomas, who addressed a large meebing of the Union on the suhj.ob. Several meetings of farmers have been held in different centres through the district, and muoh interest has been aroused in the work whioh bhe Urn^n has undertaken. Unfortunately through lack of Mm?, several places whioh aekel for meetings bo be held have nob yeb been visited. Ab the olose of bhe financial year, we had 325 members on the roil, bub during bhe past fortnight we have obtained a good many new members, and we fully expect a large increase in the near future. The visits paid by the Ohair man and Secretary to various parts of the Oiun.y have increased the interest in ths Union, and moat result in a better under -ttndiog of our position and work. In a large district like Ashburton, devoted exc'ir sively bo agricultural and pastoral pursuits, bhe Farmers' Union should be very strong numerically, and we trnsb the members will do their otmo.b to induoa their friends and neighbours bo pin our ranks. Wa are sattsfi d thab bhe ir finance of the Union must be very beneficial to bhe farming C3in* muniby generally, and h should be the bounden dity of every farmer to jiln the Union and endeavour to induce others to do so; to take an active interest in ibs w-.rk, and in doing s., he will nob only be helping himself, but will also be forwa-dipg the welfare of the fn.ire community, whose interests are inseparably bound up with bis owp, Trusting thab the ensuing ye.tr may be one of great and continued prosperity bo ail,-We arc, &.», Gko W. L-JADtaBV, Ohilr mitt; Wm Harding, Beo, pro temi The balance (heed wa. also read.

After bhe above had been read, the Preei' d.nb spoke as follow* :—Io moving the adoption of bhe report and balance sheet, 1 cannot add much, To a large extent, the w> rk, as I hove ss»i 1 before, has overlapped, and my work in connection with my dual duties has been expended over a very wide area. Gentlemen, the euooesß of the Union has justified its existence. It has a mora! effect, whioh is a very valuable thing Indeed, It has also a restraining i_fl isnoe j and the very fact that we are united, has a moral effect, Some people look upon the farmers as hewers of wood and drawers of water ie the rest of the community 5 and others look askance upon the Union, But sinoe it h.s been properly.Jounded a good many people have changed their minds, and now hold difff rent ideas. lam glad to be able to say thab some of the Ministers are favourably disposed towards the Union j only quite reoently Sir Joseph" Ward o.mmented very favourably upon ib. We are working for one oommon good . our interests are identl ovi, like so many cogs in the great wheel of progress. The are bwo or three great questions thab I wonld like to oaii yonr atbenbion bo. One is bhrfi' Ocean P.etal Servloe. | have-received a ommunioation whioh stated thab 2200 tone of Cajifornlat flour were on board tbe last San Francisco mail steamer bhab oame into Auckland. (Mr Origg : Parden me, bub I would like to corn gfc bhab. The actual figures are 1925 sacks—nob tons, and the other is probably a misprint.) The President: Perhaps thab I. tt». I got bhe figures from bhe Rangitlkei 4&yo!cate ; they have nob been pnb'ished in bhe local papers so far as I.know. I ask : Is bb.B a wise sltuabion \ We are paying Messrs Spreokles £20,000 a year to run bhis servioe, and bhey are using this money bo bring in grain and flour, and usurp oui market; Gentleman I say that this is monstrous. Farmers are the least protected of any part of the community. He gets less than ten per oent of protection ; on grain he E ays a duty of la per 100 lbs 5 and 2j on arley ; while the boot manufacturer gets 22| percent; soap manufaoturorj bin smith, 20 par oenb j and the tailor 40 per cent. I contend thab we oughb'bo protest against thl. ? Jf bhe country subsidises these firms, I think thab bhe service should be carried Ufa by British ships—not American. (Hear, hear ) They shut oub our produce where bhe farmer has a chance of marketing; In normal seasons we have to depend upon the English market, and we are plaoed in com petition with the whole world. What has happens!? They shut tbeir dcors to us. I say that we a. a Union musb oomblne and look afber our interests; I have reoeived information which states thab bhere are 23,000 members in bhe North Island, whioh means 60,030 votes. So thab we will have yet to be reckoned with. Regarding South Africa, where they have been waging war and run up a bill of over £200,000,000 South Africa, as a field for our produc., is one of bhe first importance: Strong represen" tions should be made, and a distinction made between p^rbs of the I?ritish Empire an 4 foreign shores. We have a olaim in regard to tbat, I notice that ab the oomlng Con* ferenoe of Premiers in London, Mr Seddon intends to bring forward a motion for the purpose of initiating an Imperial Z dvereln. It is our duty as an organisation to Bupport Mr Seddon in any thing he attempts in this direction j and so far as New $ .aland is, concerned this ia an important matters The farmers are the wealth producers of the country, ia face there is no class of the oommuoity whese welfare is so important. Year by year we produoe aboub lM3.be of the entire wealth of the country. All thing 4 must cotjje out of tbe land. Our mineral j wealth is nob e^haustle .s; bub our forests are decreasing. I ask you farmers to recognise your own importance to the community, end take more interest in the work of the Union. Your own welfare and the welfare of the Union are as (83. Attend the meeting.; ib is part of your boar.den duty ; and take an intelligent {oberpab in bhe welfare of bhe organisation: Then we will become a power in the land. The Farmers! Union has oome to stay, and under wise guidance will do au immense amount of goodi I now move the adoption of the reporb and balance -beef, and will be glad to answer any «uestiot». regarding the working of bhe Union. I thank the memfc«rs of the Oommittee for their courbesy and hope thab we will have a suocessful and pleasant time during the oomlng year. (Applause).

Mr Tho. Harrnon (Haekbhorne), second ed. Mr B Taylor (Ruapunt), thought that bhe subscription was ridiculously emalii Eith.r members should be ino;eased in numbers, or the subscription raisid. Ab a meeting at, Kuapuna ie was resolved thab he (Mr Tay lor) a.k the central branoh to inoiease the subeoription to 5j per annum. Bach a course would advertise the benefits th-t fat mere were receiving. In reply to Mr Max Friedlander, tha ohairman said that the item in bhe baianoe sheet,' .peoial donations' had c.me Ir.rn oertain gentlemen who had donated bo bhe fund.

Mr Chapman: £112 5* reoeived on Pro vincial Aueounb, wtoac is tha'. 1

The Cnairman explained that at one time one secretary was doing duty for both Provincial and looal brunches, and the aooounts got mixed up a bit. Monies were received on Provincial account whioh were paid into the branoh aocoun'. Mr Chapman: Toe £3 3s item on the balance sheet refers to Mr Simpson ? 'ihe Chairman; Yee. MrUtupman: UocoUeobed subscription.,* what does thab mean P

The Chairman said bhab in some instanoes members had paid Is ,ub of the 2. necessary, When the back, were closed for audit that amount was found due.

Tne Chairman stated that quite a number had expressed their wiillogats. to j.iu tbe Union, bui had nob baea approached oa the aut j.cb Mr Stone pointed out that there was no place for them to come and pay, Io often happened bhab there was no one co attend to them. . He thought bhab there was ditatori ness in respect to th's.

The Cnairman mentioned thab bhere should b. no difficulty about receiving money, A member oould do thai, and pay in when convenient

Mr S one said thab he had nob received notice in regard to the holding of meetings. He did not even know bhab Mr Harding was appointed secretary. No card had been reoeived by him

Mr 0 Doherby had also been omitted in this respect

Mr Taylor said that he had reoeived a oard regularly

In reply bo Mr Bland, bhe Chairman said bhab the meetings had been advertised The report and balance sheeb were then adopted ■ * RECOMMENDATIONS FOB OONF£EtBNO£ Mr Taylor moved—' That it be a reeom* mendaii.n to the Conference bh_t (be subscription be increased to ss,' As ib ie, it is scare, ly enough for stamps, The bhmg must be kept alive. Twenty members had been enrolled at Kuapuna, whioh proved the .ffioienoy of a sub branoh Mr Stone seconded. The subscription should actually be 10s 6d. hub bhab might prevent persons from joining Mr Lit thought thab a bona file f_rme. should pay 10 1 and a laborer 5s

Mr Studholme suggesbed 5a for farmers and Is for farm labourers

Mr Stone was against two subscriptions* and wou'd vote against two charges Mr Taylor did nob think a faim labourer would ebiok a. sj. They wore all farmers and wete pulling in the same b.ab

The Cba'rnun said bhab it applied to him in two or thr.e ways* If ib only cost a shitllng, then ib m!ght nob be regarded al much va'ue. Farm labourers m«y have more loose cash than their employers. To do any good they must have the sinews of war. (Mr Studholme : And the number.,) If a man stuck ab 5?, then he was nob worth having, The Trade Unions charged 6d per member, Mr Studholme: Theyarssiiitting in c nstquenoe.) There is a dead set against the farmers. The Farmers' Union is the only thing thab stood between them and disaster. He was astounded ab anyone talking aboub Is. Mr Bland thoaghb that a special fund could be m. da.

Speaking in regard to the 1j for farm labourers, Mr Studholme raid that it would bend bo show bhat they were arxioustoaeb them in, They should enoourag«, and nob dttar these men from j lining. It was ultimately decided to raise tbe subscription t»§j,

Mr Reid hoped that those gentlemen who gave the epeoial donations would b. thanked.

Mr G.igg hoped thai no names would be mentioned ; the gentlemen preferred that no special recognition should be given, As a recommendation to the Conference, Mr Studho'm. moved—'That as bhe F.»r -Oers' Uoioo is a Union of the whole of the Agricultural and Pastoral oommuuity ib should adopt a strictly neutral attitude towards any disputes tha-b may arise between sections of thai! community.' He referred to the recenb aotion of Mr Ma .tin aod bl c Geraidlne branch. He would ask : Are we a Union of the whole community— every section of it, or are we a Union solely of the employers aod labourers of the oou__>.y ? He counselled them not to drifb in'o one or the other, but keep a clear course. As a Union they could not take sides in internal disputes. He advooated the adoption of a policy of self restraint and patience, and only vary in a few ways. The Uoz->n would be a gr«6 steadying power in j bha politics of New Z-aland.

Mr T Harrison sccjnded, because tbe Union as a representative organisation was simiUr to the Chambers of Commeroe in the large oltie?, whioh did nob interfere with outside disputes Mr Bland said thab the men had been invited to pin • if ehey did nob care to do so, the Union oould nob help lb Mr Sbone enquired if this wae binding up<m any individual member. Ib appeared arbitrary to him

Mr Harrison thought that bhese holding diflFarenb views could join the Employers' Union

Mr Taylor said thab lb was ridiculous for a branoh to express an opinion outside any recommendation. The Conference was composed of able men, who oould surely grapple wiih it. Sections would rise up one against the other in any oas.t Personally, he did nob see what they had to fight, and he fatlpd to understand why tbe branch attempted to tie the hand of bhe Executive

The ohairman remarked that no member of the Union could join any other Union Mr Chapman was of opinion thab tbe resolution of Mr Studholme simply means to guard against certain abatements. Mr Mastin had declared war by hie action, and had {| 0«* 1° on bis own responsibility. Quite two thirds of the farming community did nob care one snap aboub the Shearers' Union, which ..aid nob touch bhe ordinary farmer. There were far greater things than the paltry shearing of a year to consider in oonneotion with bhe Union. (Hear, hear) Practically the Union could nob touch the farmers

Mr Studholme, in reply to Mr Taylor, said thab his motion was cob intended to tie the hands of the Executive j ib was simply a reoommondation The motion was then put and carried The ohairman said thab the resolution had cub the ground from under hie feet In all Arbitration Court awards preference was given to Unionists. He thought that some of the gentlemen present really did net know what Unionism m.^-ib Mr Harrison considered that any Judge would have sufficient common sense to know thad farmers cannot depend on Unionists The chairman was a strong believer In freedomxf contract He moved -'That ib be a recommendation to tbe Conference to affirm tbat bhe principle of freedom of oontraot be observed in all questions as between workers and emp'oyera. Mr Grigg seconded. Without freedom of contract the world was nob worth living in The resolution was oerrled PEL-GATES TO PROVINCIAL COKSJDRBNCB Messrs M Friedlander, Studholme, Chap man, L_mbie, and bhe President were appointed delegates to the Provincial Oenference IL-lOTION OF OVHOEBS The election of officers resulted as follows : Committee—Messrs Studholme, Stone, Litl, Chapman, Harrison (Haokthorne), Doherty, L-mbie, B.id, Bland, G_ Scaly, and Edwd Taylor (Ruapuna) Secretary—-Mr Harding f>rs few, Treasurer—Mr C Beid Auditor- Mr A Roberts 'the pbhs.db.it Mr Grigg proposed Mr Leadley as chair man. He was proud of the energy displayed by Mr Leadley, who had done excellent' work

Mr Studhohns seoonded Mr Leadley hoped they wou!d nob press bhe nutter Ha had m*de up his mind nob bo go on for another year Other membets

should take a share of the work, and not led ib be a ' one man ' show Mr Grfgjj—You taught bhe child to walk, now wait bill ib oan run Mr Lsadley, after consideration, again off.red his services, bub warned bhem against diiabortness He had been mnoh abused, and was pet hips the best habed man in Canterbury Mr Grigg'i motion was then carried SHAKX9 . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Leadley for bhe .ervloe be had rendered t« tbe Union, - A special vote of thanks was passed to th« A and P Association for bhe use of the reom after whioh the meeting terminated.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Rleotrlo Telegraph—Copyright

THE MURDER OF A FREtfOE. PRIIST ', London May 4

China has ordered an indemnity to be paid in respect of the murder of a French priest, and the punishment of tbe responsible officials. The priest reported to be missing has tamed ap safely.

QUEEN WILHELMINA Queen Wilheimina's case, though grave, is not hopeless,

The Ha«ub, May 6 A bulletin issued on Monday even ing sUted that tbe Queen's illness oo Sunday evening put an end to the hopes of a happy event in September, Queen Wilhclmtna'a condition if satisfactory.

SUPPRESSING PUBLICOPINION

London, May 6 The Daily Mail states that the im position of fresh taxes led to a meeting of three thousand people at Thasos for tbe purpose of arranging to memoraHie Lord Cromer and the Khedive ,on the subject. The Governor of the town, using a revolver, ordered the gendarme* ' to fire, and 120 persons were killed,''./ including women aod children. Many were wounded. ; AN UNHAPPY PRINCESS Princess Beatrice Massime. the daughter of the pretender Don Carlo., attempted to commit saie'de in the River Tiber, bat was rescued, Bhe accused her husband of infidelity. A NEW TRANSVAAL GOLD. FIELD A promising goldfield has been dis covered in the Vryheid and Utrecht . districts. VICTORIA MEMORIAL FUND The Victoria Memorial Fond hat reached £195,000. THE TOBAOOO WAR The British Imperial Tobacco Oom« pany threatens to open factories in America.

Affairs in Russia.

United Press Association-By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright

St Petbrsbi. kg, May 6 Peasants raided a State granary at Tarkalinsk, in the province of Tomsk, j dispersing and killing many police. . A. hundred peasant, had died from famine prior to the revolt. Martial law has been proclaimed ia five districts of Poltava. London, May 6 Tbe Morning Leader states that 600 I infantry at Poltava declined to fire on a crowd, which included women and girfp, who were arm.d with reaping hooks and bay forks, The tro>ps de clared they would not shoot women. All were court martialled. Every tenth man was shot, and the remainder were degraded and sentenced to penal servitude. An army order declared that the troops should be soldiers first and" citizens afterwards. They must shoot straight as on the battlefield.

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE TENTH CONTINGENT.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright! Albaky,May 6 The Norfolk, with tbe New Zealand Tenth Contingent; has arrived.

The Plague.

United Press Association—By ESieotrio Telegraph—Copyright Sydney May 6 One fatal case of plague was report ed today.

Bbisbane May 6 Dr Wray, the Government medical officer, has been seized with plague. The case is serious.

London, May 6 One hundred and two oases of plague were reported in Egypt in April of which fifty eight terminated fatally,

The Coronation.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—-Copyright

Wellington, May 6 A meeting of the Oitiatas' Committee today adopt id a programme in connection with bhe Coronation celebrations. This includes a procession of school children, volunteers, triendly societies, and labour organisations, bo the Basin Reserve, where a short religious service will be held,. A shorb programme ot sports will be carried out afterwards. A special dinner is bo be supplied to all inmates of homes and publio institutions.

THES aSHBUBTOB tftJARDIAN; WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1902,5



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F. FIRMMAN I - 1,,. i ■• I FOR J ALE ASHBURTON T HAVE FOB SALS, a Substantial Brick HOUS® of seven rooms, with every ecmVMiien.oi together with ONE ACRE 20 Perohe. of Land,' situated within easy distance of a iohool. PBIOI ... ... 4225 The Property ia very _nitable for ocoupa' ] tion by a man with a family who value. moral ana physical health as w*ll_ a. asooomy j or bo the owner of a little c»pital who wi_h_s to invest it with security and profit. Other Improvements oomptlae an Orchard and Stable. Ooospariion between JE22P invea.ed la tfra Property, and at deposit in any Bank :— 12 Month. Interest en £225 on • Bipest. .. £6 15 0 12 Months Rent o. above Property, ab lOi per week ... ... £26 0 0 L*»- outgoings— Say Commission col* lecticg rent at 5 per Mat ... £1 6s 0d lasjiranee 0 7a 63 Rates 0 10a Od 2 3 6 , 23 18 6 B»!anoe in favour of the amount in vested in Property . - £171 6 per aoDUO. Full particulars of the Property may he bad on application. F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agentf FOR SALE, 3AA AOBBS of Good Sheep Feed, UU oonsfeblngof 60 Aoree Tnrnlpa, 240 Acres of Good Grass, and f-bunSanoa of Oatea Straw, The above is situated aboub 14 mfles from Ashburton. Tb.re hag nob been any stock oa the land for the last four monthi; V FERRIMAN FOE SAL! : AT THE HINDS C_-Af\ AORBS la Tussock } fenced 5 «4fcU with a small Dwelling. Easy terms, F FERRIMAN — xiiWALD FOR BALE, within a few minutes walk ef the Saleyards and Railway Station, 20 Acres, wibh Dwelling V FERRIMAN, NETHERBY. FOR Sale a model Farm oonststinij of 5 aore stood Land, wiih bailtf ht.u.e 6 , rooms aod suitable outbuilding! ' F FERRIMAN THE ondarsigned Ins fcr Sale a grol Farm of about 4CO a"re«, good .heavy Land, well worth an insmedU.* Inspection. F FERRIMAN^ FOR SALE " 1"»H_B beat Bolldlag Site in Allenton. at the corner of the ST W Town Belt, adpining the proper y of Mr J M , Cambridge I Fi FERRIMAN, | Lard and Fetate Agent j 1 —,—; _ — j FOR SALF, I IT TinwalJ, a good Horn. for a Working Man, consisting of a 4 R )omed House and J Acre good L-*nd F, FEKBIMANJ HKD & ESTATE AGENT j ~~~" BUHINkHS NOTICES H- GRESHAM, StJKGEON & MEOHANIOAL DENTIST. BEGS to inform the residents of Ash. burton and Surrounding Districts, thot he will commence practice in rooms next to Mr Wfttsoo, Solicitor, about May lab. Stoppings in Gold, Amalgam, and Cement. Gold.and Porcelain crowns made ; also seta of teeth with Vulcanite and P.rceluln gums- Gas administered. Ail work gua.a.tsed. HoUBS Ot i-MENDANOE—Q a.m.—s p.m. 16) COMPARE w7 5 81 few 4f fas?/ km msij tea ?««ft */6 1/B*2/4 2/8 IMPORTANT <A»NOUNOK- MfiNT., 11l P, CL ARIDGE begs to announos thab he tes taken over McCon ell's Stables, Tanored Streeb, where he will be glad to weto-mo *ld Friends. Horses and Traps on hire at all hours cf the day or night. Clipping undertaken at reasonable prices, Vehicles aolUWe -for Wedding or Picnic Parties can be obtains i at a minute's notice. F P. OLARIDGK, Proprietor. Telephone No 91. 4 357 T~~ RY tha R*pid Shirt Giase, it will save your time, money, and worry, lb will make an old shirt lodic like new. Sold by it!!tba leading grooem "° Worms undermine Children's Co nstltutioa Uae Wapk'B VToam Figs, Is boxes Smoke .New Venn §



■ nmMmmmmmmwmmmmwmuammmmmmmmmmmmumammmmmmmmm The Boot Palace. W. SPARROW. ARRIVED- LADIES' & GENTS ROOTS & SHOES. CHILDREN'S STRONG SCHOOL BOOTS GUM BOOTS, GOLOSHES, GENT'S FOOTBALL BOOTS. Ladle.' Evening Shoes a Speciality. Oorner East and Moore Streets, Ashbarton;



, BUSINESS NOTICES _____________ — ■ ANDREW ORR. A LIRGE Shipment of Goods ex Paparoa, having arrived OnQ Month Later than expected, will Now be Cleared at IMMENSE REDUCTIONS FOB TWENTY-ONE DAYS ONLY ladies' Jacket* and Mantles, J jess Fabrics of all kinds Ladies' Corsets, Flannelletes, Sheetings ladies* Underclothing, Ribbons, Gloves, Millinery, Umlrellas, 100 Pairs Coloured Blankets at 16s 9d ! 75 Fairs large] Size Blankets 22s 6d CLOTHING AND BOOTS /| Reduced Prices ANDREW ORR mmmmmmimm]mmmmm _ mmmmm _ m^^ DON'T ALL COME AT ONCE ! ! I T>UT we Shall he Read? for a g(od many of yoa Any Morning After 10 o'clock, And Don't Forget yonr fall Paree, ag the SPECIAL PRICES ire for 'GASH, ' AT MITCHELL & TUENEK'S DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP SALE. STERLING VALUE AT THB READY MONEY SHOP OUR aim is to supply Goods of Reliable Quality at lowes. Rock Bottom Prica. richt throughout), nob (as is often done) .ffjring a few arfcio'ea at k'en prices ss 'baits,' whioh are no orHerionol the general vu.be Riven. We BUY in the BEST Markets for prompt CASH, thus securing enbatantial di.coan.-~ have very Small Working Expenses, avoid losses incurred by giving Credit*, and there We Oan aad Do Sell at the Finest Mai gin of Profit). Any person oan see readily, tint the toraxoir,% prinoipler and conditions en.n^o to our Oustomera STERLING VALUE FOX THEIR MONEY. IHS"W GOODS NOW AREIVIJNG. E. G I B B A R D, EBADY MONEY DRAPER, .J^ TANORED STREET (opposite Arcade), Ashburton *ob CARRIAGE LAMPS, GIG LAMPS, PONY LAMPS, AND LAMP WAKE OP EVERY DESCRIPTION GO TO W. _____ COLLINS & CO.. Sawiitillers, Timber Merchants, and Importers, Ironmongers, Painters, Glaaiers, etc,, Ashbarton J. W ILBON DIRKOT IMPORTER OF ARTISTIC WALL PAPERS. A Competent Set of Tradesmen kep. for House Painting and Decorating la all its Branobea.J.or Town and Country, I Have a Weil Assorted Stock of MIXED PAINTS ia) Lars;- or Small; Quantities; also Paint Brushes White Lead Linseed Oils (Raw^or^Boiled Sorim Window Glass Fanoy Glass Turpentine Benzine Methylated Spirits Artists' Material ' Beautiful MIRROR GLASS in large sheets, o&n.begcub to any e.z?



FOB[ j WATOHES CLOCKS, JEWELLERY, , SILVER AND ELECTRO-PLATE SEASONABLE NOVELTIES, Etc, j oo to GL JESSON, ! Practical Webohmaker and Jeweller, Burnebb Sbreeb, (opposite Somerset Hotel) Ashburton. —Repairs « Specialty.— Presentation Committees liberally dealt with, ■



The efficacy of TUSSICURA in all lung and throat complaints Is undeniable. Ib * touches the spot' every time. Wade's Worm Figs — the Wonderfnl Worm Worriers—are always effective. Is b«>x:a everywhere



A MAN'S OPINION Som. people think thab Wilton's Bovti Ferrum is only good for women and children, this is nob quite true for it is good for men also. For every form of weakness and physical decllno it is a restorative of undoubted efficacy, This is what Mr A James, of Wellington, says :— ♦Feeling a bib ran down, I was tempted to try Wilton's Bovo Ferrum, and I must admit that the results far exceeded my anticipations, co muoh so thab you can register me as a firm believer in the value and efficacy of this tenia' Sold by all chemists, and stores ab 23 6d. If nob procurable locally, send postal npfce for 2. 6i to Geo W Wilton, Chemist, Wellington and a bottle will be senb you by poat. Hollis Cycles—The display of Hollis oyolea now on view ab John Orr & Oo's is well wot thy of inspection by all cycling enbhus' lasts, piese machines are made from genuine B g.A parts by the oelebrated gunmakers, I. Hollis & Sons, Birmingham, which should be sufficient guarantee, of their efficiency. The models we have Been are superbly finished, and the high standard of quality attained In tbe manufacture of bhe Hollis bioyoie has been most rigidly maintained. STANDI3H AND GREECE.



Photographers under the Royal patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Studio, High Streeb, Ohriptohuroh. 4 19 TUSSICURA cures Coughs of Long Sanding, promotes Easy Expectoration. , Prioe, 2s 6d ;' obtainable everywhere.



SLTJGGISH BLOOD Causes niretenths of all sickness. Indigestion followed by headache, general lisbiessness, despondeLcy, Irritability, dyspepsia, biliousness, insomnia, and nervous estimation are sure signs of pool circulation.' If __ot taken in time _er!ons trouble will follow. The sorest way of protecting yourself is by taking Impey's May Apple, the ideal family medicine. It Is the great stomaoh panacea, Ib gently moves bhe bowels, stimulates the liver, aids the digestion,and restores good health, | The good it does Is permanent. Ohemlsta j and stores, half a crown. | Any of our readers requiring a lamp of any de.oription should pay Messrs Fletcher Bros establishment a visit, as they have jasb opened up an immense shipment of |lamps of all kindß, which they have marked ab the lowest payable prices. Their window display will give you an idea of the large stock they Oarry Should other remedies fall yon "can abyays depend on TUSSICCJRA. All who have tried ib say the same. BILL MARTIN SPEAKS. To Idea! Tyre Company, Ohris.al.areh,— De_r Sirs,—l have much pleasure in writing you bo say how heartily I appreciate the Ideal byres whioh were fitted to my machine and upon whioh I put up my seventeen New Zea'and records, and won the several obano* p.on.htp pr*_; .*, I am very pleased with them-vU^WAM MARTIN a 17"