EPHEMERIS

BUN.

Phases of Moon for February

Mail Notices

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alteration*!:

SATURDAY, Feb 8 For Northere Ports and Westport, per Rotomah&na, at 6.30 p m

•The nexb best despatch for United King dom ie via San Francisco, leaving Aehburton on February I9ob, and due London March 22nd

COMMERCIAL.

RAM FAIR AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Palmebston North, Feb 7

Ab the continuation of Abraham and Williams' and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Oompaoy'a ram fair today, 600 Linoola rams were offered und aboub 300 were Bold. Ab expected, the demand was very poor, and fiVat class rams were paeeed fa ab two to three guineas. A stui ram of Mr J B Sutton'a was Bold for 40 guineas to Mr Wybourno of Whennakura.

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET.

The Ashbarton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers 1 Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows oh February 7, 1902:—

Wheat—

Prime milling Pearl -. 2b 8d (old) } , „ Tuscan.™ 2s 8d (old) Hunter's 2a 8d „ Oats—Duns 2s to 2s Id  „ Danish 2a to 2s Id   Sparrowbilla 2a to 2a 2d „  Oaoadii\n 2s 2d to 2a 3J „ New feed Is 91, Xs 104 Barley—Malting, prime 2a 3d to 2s 6d Inferior 2a Peas—Biae Prussian 3a „ Partridge 3s 6d to 4s OhaS—Good oatsheaf 52s 6d (old) Grasa Seed—Farmers 2j 3d to 2i 6d The above are prices current paid to farmers on fc^uoks a& Ashbnrtou

DEATH.

Mabden—At his residence, Peber Street, Aahburbon, on Bth last, John Mabsdeh, senr. Aged 65 years.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1902.

The fact of the colony of New Zea land sending an Eighth Contingent to South Africa is

Our -Eighth Contingent.

worthy of more than ordinary notice as

it emphasises an era of loyalty and devotion to the throne which has never been known jn the previous history of the British Empire, When we conaider our isolated position as a British dependency and that not much more tban fifty years ago these islands were in the hands of a savage nation, the imprint which New Zea land ham left indelibly on the history of South Africa, and of the Empire is all the more remarkable. Whatever may be sa<d against Mr Seddon and the present administration, their action in equipping and sending these contin gents fco help the Mother Country in her time of need, and to maintain that reign of freedom, peace and safety^ which is assured under the British flag must win the acknowledgment that they have struck the trrae chord of Imperial unity, and have written a page in the history of New Zealand, which future generations will read with feeliDgs of pride and gratification. We must remember the conduct of the New Zealandei'a throughout the campaign. Without the long coerce of training received by their Imperial associates, without having seen previous service they have proved valuable additions to the British Field Force and have won tiae esteem and respect of their British comrades and the eulo gies of the British Generals* *Ai soldiers under fire, or on. the weary march across the veldt, on lonety otjt post duty s in dashing hand to hand encounters, they have shown special j&ptitssde for acquiriog a mastery of the flitaatiooj and haye been a splendid ex ample for eheerfalnessj endurance vigi lance, and bravery, the cjuatfnea which make the British soldier irresistible. Lord Roberts has borne witness to their gentlemanly conduct as men, and to the efficient and valuable work they have done as soldiers, and their services ftaye won praise from Lord Kitchener, {he man of ir&n, who pays no cempli meats and whoae eulogistic remarks must be accepted as a sterling to the bravery, devotion, and efficiency, of our eons and brothers in South Africa. Having in mind these fact* and also that the Eighth Contingent ia comprised largely of men who have seen previous service in the Traoefaal, it mil leaye Mew Zealand whh the con fidence end approval of the people and the operat:ons in which its rasKabers may be engaged will be looked forward" ed to with added interest. With ail other loyal and patriotic subjects of King Edward VII, and with all those .wile understand and appreciate the privileges ol the freedom justicf, and peace which they wiU rtei|> pa establish, we wish 'our Boys* God speed, a ga|e return, and we sincerely trust that the aspvice they will render to the Empire will ali materially in bringing the war to a speedy cc^cliisien, end add fresh lustre to the record they now iia.ye top valour and patriotism.

Local and General.

Weather Forecast* — Captain Edwin wires: —Strong northerly winds; glass fall

The Tashanian Bank Robber?—On our fourth page today will be found particulars of the Taemanian Bank robbery, whioh occurred dfe Qaeeostown on the night of January 24th.

Another Earthquaicb—The Postmaster at Cheviot reports a very heavy shook at 3 55 thia morning, with a loud boom, and a slight one a minute later.

Magistrate's Court— Afc the Police Court thia morning a first offender, charged with drunkenness, wae let off with a caution Mr R Alcorn waa the presiding magistrate.

Ohbrtsby Sports Olub —The annual meeting of the Chertsey Sports and Racing Oiub will beheld ia the Ohertsey Library on Saturday, February 15'jh,

Annual Ram Fair.—Farmers and others interested will learn from an advertisement in this issue that the Ashburton annual ram and ewe fair is to take place at Tinwald on Thursday, 20 fa March

Longbeaoh Road Board — The Long bsaoh Road Board's ordinary monthly treating took place this morning, bub the report is unavoidably held over- The business wss unimportant.

. The Fairfibld Abattoirs—The agree ment between the Borough Uounoii as the local governing body and the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company has been assented to by the Minister of Agriculture, and the certificate of registration i» being Issued. It now only remains for the Council to advertise the date on which operations shall commence.

Coursing-—The Aahburton Coursing Club Intend holding a, big meeting en May 3th and 9h, the week after the OAtnaru meeting, The conditions will be similar to those at Oamaru with regard to the bares, and the stake, £50, will be the largest given at a coursing meeting in Ashburton. Nominators will not bo oalled upon to name their dogs until the night of the draw, which will be on May 6 Nominations close with the Ron Secretary, Mr W Shearman, on Thursday nexo, February 13

Ashburton County Brass Band — An advertisement), whioh appears in another column, invites applications for the position of bandmaster to the Ashhnr ton Brass Band. Applications mast ba lodged with the Secretary, Mr H A Gates, not later than the 18 :h last.

Mind Your Eyb—A correspondenbfwrlteß that thorny boughs ef rce bushes and holly project over into Moore Street, close to where & resident had to out back apd kill his mapro carpa hedge recently! Some day a burgess will have his eye out out, and the Borough, oust correspondent thinks, will be liable.

Personal—We regret to have to record the serious illness of Mrs Horace Gates, who reoently went to Cbristchurch to undergo an operation. This waa performed yesterday and appears to have beea quite successful; so thab the many friends of Mr and Mrs Gites may hope to see her home again coop.

Manual Instruction.—The teaohert' classes for manual instruction and kinder* garten exercises in modelling, brushwork, paper folding, etc, were resumed in the Borough school this morning under Mrs Willia 3nd Miss M A Grantt

MUSICAL Union—Tha Committee of the Musical Union met last evening, when a good deal of business was transacted. Id was resolved to give a miscellaneous concert aboub bhe end of thie month, and to produce 'the Oruoifixion' about Easter. A fall report will appear in our mx\

Presentation— Trooper H L Soott, of the Ninth Contingent, who haa been a porter ab the Ashburbon Railway Station for about two year?, was entertained at a smoke Concert jn tha Central Hotel laeb nighb by the railway staff. pariDg the evening Mr J Reid, senr, on bsha'f of thg sbagf, presented Trooper Soobt with a purge of Boveroigns t un a tmrk of respeob, Trooper Sootjt m*de'i suitable reply.

Tifß Liberal Leai>f.k—-The attitude whiefe Sir Henry Campbell Hanoerraan has taken rfig&rdlng the Spnth African war has embroiled him In disputes with public men and the Press of anything but a pleasant character. On onr foqrtb page we reprint correspondence that haa passed between Sir Henry and Lord Q-eorga Hamilton, the Secretary for India, also a trenchant demand by tho MethcdM Times calling upon the liberal leader to, at least, apt the pentleman.

o»itbaby«»A welf knjjwu figure in Ashburton, Mr John Mgroden, of tb^o Ral!? way book^talli passed away this morning. Mr Madden has been many years in Ashburton, and had a largß nambsr of ftiendc He arrived in the province la one of the firtt four ships, and w a a n ember o( one of the f su , voiuoteer ctirpa raised, namely No 5 Com! pany, in Kaiapoi, and went bhrough the campaign on tho West Coast of the North island in the late eixbiee, Mr M*rsien organiaed tha (?rat #fe and drum band in Canterbury, ifhe funejfal fefees place on Monday, at 2 p m

Fire—Aboub half past eleven hst evening the fire bell anaounoed a fire, whioh proved to be on the Wakanui Read just beyond the East Belt, a four roomed cottage occupied by Sir 8 |finlay baiug in flames. The buildjog which was an old ona 'Jsurnt fieroly ftnd for a time the adjoining Bos?se,!belonging bo Mr Q Fowke, in great danger, aotwithsfcaodijsg tM energetio efforts fchat were made to protect it, The wtl?*\ ojf fche Fire Brigade, however, removed all daapr an thabßoorp, although MrFinlay'u house was oompleiely destroyed, and a good deal of the dividing hadge was also burnb, Very libb'fc of £he jE^rnltsre waa B»vad. Mr and Mrs JPml&y wer^fl^B,*o^' ro,r* home ab the fclme. Miss Fmlay, who is an lnyali.d, bping fche orsb to digaover chat the piaie was in flUmes. The oottage wa? fnsured \<i the Alliance for £120.

A DANOEB—It would be well if the Fire Brigade or the Borough Council were to take iabo consideration the risk caused by the sparks emitted from the engine, as it passes through the streets to fires, when the wind is high L|sfc evening these sparka were carrM JbjF"sie wind felly fifty yards as the engine passed along to thekeeoe o? fcb/O fsre ? in W&isangl road^ Hati'aD^oi th^e sp^ti^s lodged on sope irffammajjia substance, the conerqueuaeffl might) haye beep serjouej It might be prudent to ma spark arrester^ on the funnel* of the big engine.

Tub Was Pahsce—Under the heading •They are Coming,' the editor of the Prohibitionist intimates that the campaign Jhis'yoar wjll be carried on with remarkable vigor. In kdditloa to Miaa Balgarnie, Mrs Harrison &9e, and Rev h M 8 Me John 0 Woolley, of the IJnibed States/is to fts-i-tii in 1< adiag the forces, $ey f W leifc»i adds: —' Win or lose, we aFe to for $ y@W °' magnificent work, work thab eanaob fail to bear good fruit in the nehr fubure' »od wibh fyjl hearts we thank God and take courage.' £ioeal supporters of the Prohibition cause »re yery saogaios of garrying prohibition in Ashbuctoii

Smalts Bikds and the Sal* Ctme—Ab the County Council meeting yesterday, one of the members stated that salt had been fpt*nd very effective in helping to keep down fche email "bij?6V pest). Membera looked ab oqq another, wondering jf thejr colleague was calling up remin.isoeaoeß of fi'ie yogog days, when he doubtless received the time honoured advice that the best way to eniioh a bird was to pub salt on its fcaih Bub they jj»W *#»£> fch? speaker was evidently per fectly ierio'w, m$ fckflj haye 1 since Seen trying to find oat wii'era the 6jpoienoy of salt ooßkeg'in Wi% regard to' tfae'%air%dc peati

St. Patrick's Sports Association— A Committee meeting of the Be. Patrick's Sports Association was held last evening, Mr W JBurna in tfce chair. Amongst a amount of correspondence dealb with, Mr J ohn Small forwarded a special prf*; i towards a wrestling competition, (Oaraberlgnd atyle for boys under $fteen, A subcommittee was &Pjpr>l#,ted to tnaie necessary arrangements for a s'jiiojke concerb to be held on the evening of the sports. The Committee are working In earnest in their endeavour to secure the New Zealand Champions for their meeting on March 20,

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following oompletes our report o! yseberday's meeting;—>

WATER BAOK3

The Chairman said that Digby Bros, had interviewed him that morning with regard to the water race. It seemed that the brothers Digby were dissatisfied with the arrangements re water supply,and he suggest ed that a small committee bsseb up to inves tigate and report to the Council at its next meeting, whioh was agreed to.

EXPENDITURE ON WATER RACES

Mr Johnston brought up the question of the return thab had been prepared showing the money that had been spent in eaoh ward on water supply; He asked for a committee to Investigate the matter; The Chairman B*id it was a very b;g order, and he feared that the return would not be of much value, He, however, suggested that 12 he took a committee aa asked, he should associate Mr Friedlander with it,

Mr Friedlander had no objection

Mr Wriftht would Itke to know what was the object of the return* He objsobed to any alteration being made in the allocations already made, and he quoted the sums that had so far been expended In the various wards, which showed that all had been pretty equally treated. He saw nothing to cavil at so fart Ha wanted to know what the obj 'Ob of Mr Johnston was Mr Johnston said his object in asking for the return was simply to get all the informa tion bearing on the expenditure on the water races in the county laid fully before the Council, and brought up to dates He saw nothing to be alarmed at In thab He had no wish to Interfere with what the Council had done in allocating Its funds Mr Wrighb said the answer to Mr John ston was that the 680 miles of rucea on the Rakaia side cost very muoh more, mile for mile, th»n the races on the Rangitata aide* That was why one was in debt some £1890 and (he other was not la reply to Mr Frledlander, Mr Wright: said the 660 miles in the Auhburton'Kakaia distrbt cost £28,202 and the 580 miles In the Ringitata district coat £11,179, and the disparity was due to the configuration of the country. The engineering difficulties were much greater In the one case than in the other, and he detailed what these were. Haviog now the mileage and the oosb, what did Mr Johnston now want. He did not sea why the accounts should be all put together, nor why people in the Ashburtoirßangltata distriob should have to contribute to the costs of the muoh more expensive works necessary on the Kikaia siJet They had had to pay on the whole a muoh higher price for their land, which was Inferior to that in the Rakaia district. Mr Studho!me thought there was a great deal of misconception ia the public mind on this matter. He should like to see a clear statement made publia of the post ia the three water rage districts, showing the original cost, the cost of maintenance, the present indebtedness of eaoh district, and the present income of eaph distriob Mr Friedlaader said that before giving his vote he should like to know what Mr Johnston wished the Oommtttaa tp doj If the Committee has to deal with the return already prepared, that was one thing, but if he intended to advocate that the whole of the weter supply districts accounts should be amalgamated, that was quite another matter. He was not altogether clear himself on that point, notwithstanding Mr Wrighb'a opinion. He thought Mr Johnston's motion should be made dearer

Wt Stltfc thoughb that what Mr Johnston wanted to get at was the number of miles of races for which no rates were paid Mr Chapman believed that aa there were several water races thab were not paying rabes, the public should know why this was so

The Chairman said al! those water races were included in that return

Mr Wrighb said tbab when waber was taken through the prop?rby of those who did nob require U, they were nob called upon to pay Mr Friedlander said it would be easy to ascertain whether any persons who were not paying rates were deriving any benefit from the water

Mr Johnston eaid that) Messrs Stiib and Chapman had explained better than he could bitnwlf what was the aotud ob|Bot of the return he had asked for. Mr Pried an dar had also indicated the position pretty clearly-. He (tho speakei) had no intention <}f JDeipsatipg Sh.st any person jn particular wfts improperly gating winter ap4 evading btje payment of rates. Efe merely wished tfca Goußoi} tq asgertain whether some persons were neb paying rates, and if so, why they were nob doing co. Mr Wright said there were miles and miles of races going through his property which were of nob the slightest use to him, and for which he did nob pay rates, and others were in the same position. fiysntu Mv ife was agreed t|^it the return bo referred bgsk to b.e amended 03 asked for.

POfct COLLARS

The report of tha Oammibtee appointed to inspect bhe dog oollars for 1003, showed thab the sample was quite up to the quality of any yet issued by the Council,

BUB DIVISION 0* WATER BAtSB DISTRICS

Aocording to notice Mr Harper moved that the upper portion of the Aehburton RiDgitata water race district Eupplied trom t?hs ipndß Gorga and Limeatoao Creek be c-reatod i*" aop^raoa s/ater supply disfcriob bounded as described, Ho explained bis reason for hie action and said the time had oome when ths various aub'dlatriota should bear their own burdens. The district referred to was quite out off from the others and had an upoertain supply, Tims would be no difi|oulty aboajj»what fes proposed. He referred to a previous prbpoaa! of h!a with regard to the "watep 'supply, wfaigh Ije t)&d, ho^eyer, failed to, oapy. Bub this was qb a dl#ere^b foQting, as as fl'ad shown.

Mr Wfighb seconded the motion pro forma. But be wished to know how they could manage this sub division. He considered it was nob practicable* He thought at first ib might) be c, benefioenb project to assist come of the settlers thereaiooute, bwb he found they knew nothing about ib f The potjce.pl taobififl bad not been before them or even published, and be thought the matter ought to be deferred and referred to them before any thing more was done* As for himself, without knowing more aboub the boundarieß of the proposed new district, he should not like to pronounoe au opfniorn They might) easily fall iato error, in connection with boundaries.

The Engineer here produced a map show lag the Qo'ix^trf referred to, Mr Wrij^htj' Qosstjniiiog, e^id tjfe^b the district iholuded :bi6tion $aa qo'nneyteql witLf bbc pojigty aysjism, &n& he uhouldnot like tQ see t-uaC djsturbed;, Hs t^qved as ap amendm§ni} thai the po^aiderabipn of this matter be deferrpd for a month.

Mr Ffiedlaoder asked if the persona Interested had asked for the change* if nob he thought ib would be a very unwise step to undermine the water race system of the oosijsty. There were other aspeots of the cas;e wbfeti fcpld agsiswt) the proposal; He quite agreed with Mr Wright Jhat j?efor^ trjey discussed this large question bhe people couqernefl o^fg^fe \t> h^ye a vojqe In the ! matter, i Aftee seme farthep remarks from Mr I Wright, Mr Johnston said he was sorry Mt Wrighb | h%4 moved to defer this question* H<3 fchougSib If! woald ba better bo thresh ib out at onoe. He believed ib would bp oats of the greatest mistaken they ever made to interfere wibh the county water supply system, and he should certainly oppoße bhe motion, Mr Lambie was surprised bo see this moUso {jrogghb torward. Another part of the dls6ript-=?pa.ffc »t Sl^ab ppreseated by : himselfwbad made- 9 so^ewb&i)" similar I 'application bub Ib was deoHoefJ. Athoagh I one reason given was a special one with I reference to the ooet, there were other reasons which applied equally bo bhe preaenb application, He thought ib would be a i'-gafi"'m|Bta'^e to |>reak up our waber raoe pyatetH, Mr Chapman would also eppoii* fcbe motion. He mentioned one or two oases which might caeur, to show how objection able the propoaai was. The Chairman said he did wish to press the mobioDj, bgb he mighb say in reply to Mr Wright that %he tSiutriOfi referred to was absolutely isolated. He was acting la ihe interests of the sebdlers there, who now ft ad jjn)y a precarious Bupply. Tbitf wm'a pe^aliar oaseef abater race dipb'rlpb being actually cnb off from bhe main :'wsW FB,?e eysbem. However, he would &sk leave go withdraw his motioD, Agreed to

SMALL BIRDS

The Rangitata Road Board wrote drawing attention to the gravity of the position re the small birds peat, and asking the Counoil bo deal with the matter

The Chairman said this opened up a very j burning question just now, and he thought I a committee would have to be set) up to go I into the whole subject of the small birds ' pest. He thought it wae very imprudent to go on on the lines they were doing. He had heard very favorable reports from all quarters on the poisoning of the bitdß. He should hi glad to hear members express themselves od the matter

Mr Wright thought that aa soon as the harvest was ovar they should have a speoial meeting of the whole Council. This small birds nuisance was getting very serious and deoisivo action would have to be taken to check it He moved thab a special meeting of ths whole Council be held in the month of April to deal with the whole question Mr Frledlander would second the motion. He felt that the pest had become Buoh a serious one that immediate measures should be taken against ib

Mr Limbie supported, Ib was apparent to every farmer that this was going to be a very serious matter, If left to individual effort nothing would be done. It ou^hb to be made mandatory on all local bodies to act. As far as the Council's poisoned grain was oonoerned he was satisfied it was efficacious.

Mr Chapman had taken a great deal of interest in this question and personally he thought the poisoned wheat wag good ; bub the difficultly was to gee people to believe this. He was persuaded that something must be done, however. Another point to be borne in mind was that there muit be a proper time to lay poisonod grain. There was no use leaving the matter In the hands of the people to aofc, as they fael inclined. It must ba made compulsory:

Mr Sbltt said he had bad very muoh better results ab the latter end of Novem' bar and December, with poisoned grain. Mr Herring had told him that the boat results were obtained when he had been'feeding salt to hia aheap. Perhaps tbit would be worth considering.

The Chairman read an analysis of the strychnine used by the Council and obtained from the Drag Company, showing that ib was an excellent sampler The motion was carried, the meeting to be about the end of March.

The Council then adjourned till 2 p-m,

On resuming Mr W Morgan took his seat

FINANCE

Accounts, as certified to by the Finance Committee, amounting to £541 8s lOd were passed for payment. The bank account was as follows—£2lo7 9s 6d or., £204429 4d dri; oredit balance at Union B«nk, £83 7s 2]. OOREESPOKDBNOE Correspondence was then read and dealt with as under

From Jamee Brown, Mount Somers, asking for extension of time for gorsa clearing.— Agreed to

From Anama Road Board, reoontrol of a boui dary road between Anama and Rangl" baba Road districts.—Resolved that a Special Order be prepared, the cost to be equally divided between the two Boards

HINDf»EALING EOAD

A letter was received from the Coldstream Road Board re cost of Hinde-Eiling Eoad Mr Sbudholtne explained that the people on both sides of the river had asked the County Council to straighten the road referred bo, and bhe Coldstream Road Board had taken bhe matter up too hurriedly, »a the ratepayers in that district derived no benefit from the read. The members now thoughb ib was unfair to expect the Cold' Bbream Bo&d Board to be responsible for more bhan a third of the cost* The amount involved was nob maoh, but the prlnoiple involved miighb affect other works

Mr Wrighb siid the difficulty in tho matter was that there were no county roads. The road referred bo was in tha Ooldetream district, aud its oosb oould nob be charged to aay other Road Board; He did not see how they could meet bhe aasa short of declaring the road in question a county road. Bub in that case there were other roads in exactly the same condition, This oase wae only one of many

Mr Lambie thought it would be a mistake bo deolare the road a county road. At one time in the history of the Council, there had been oounfcy ronds, and the position was very unsatisfactory

The Chairman said the letter waa some what) untimely, seeing that last week tho Council had agreed to pay £10 towards the road. Ho considered the Council had acted handsomely in' the patter, and the Bangitata Qoad B.bard bad also agi-aed to dg the samp. The Coldstream Road Board waa the only local body that oauld deal with ths road, and aa thab body had already been promised £20, surely they could not grumble at having bo pay the balance, He thought hia col leagues on the Council would agree bhab the application was quite uncalled for In reply to Mr Friedlander, the Chairman said the road was practically part and parosl j*f the Stock Bridge Rqad' ' Mr Friedlander asked if }t was worth while to press this matter Mr etudholme said it was more on account of the responsibility for acoidenbs thab this action waa taken

Mr Wright mentioned that when the claim was first raiaeJ, he was chairman of the Coldstream Board, bub was nob in sym pathy with the claim now Mr Studholme aald this claim involved a public question, and if ib was such a small matter why ahould the Council object to the ret^eaSj Mr Wright moved that the matter be referred back bo the Coldatream Road Board for reconsideration.

Mr Chapman combabted Mr Studholme'a contention thab because this road only benefibted a $raall section of that district, it did not conoetn the Board. ' He ccneidsred that anything thab effected a portion of a district,* oongerned the whole distriqb After further fa marks |rom the Chairman, Mr Studholme, Mr Fnadjander, and Mr Stitb, the motion was carried CORBESP3NDHNCK—(continued) From Mount Somers Road B3ard, re Cameron's road, Winterstow, asking for a breakwater —Agreed to on the reoommen datjon of t^9 pQupty Enginper From the department of Lands and Survey re change of purpose of reserve 2223, and asking for survey plan, &o Aher some explanations from Mr Lamble as to the work required to be done, a short discussion took place as to whether the decision of the Council at laab mealing was not sufficient, and it was agreed that no further atepa were necessary From Geraldine Conoty Council, re etate of stock bridge over the South Branch of the Rangi^s, &o<s oalfipg upon the Council to place it 1$ repair " r -: > A- shorfc discussion foHqwed, and It was resolved. tHat) a 8 lo**s PQrb °-f fc^e bridge ie entirely within the boundaries of the Geral dine Ooußty, this Gounoil aannofc legally comply with the request of the Geraldine Connty Council

From ho Borough o'mcil of Sydeuham, re Valuation Rolls.—Received

Some members considered that complaints of the maunor In whleh the Government valuations ;were oqndfiJQ'fod were ■jfcjoard fr^tn one and uf the colony to the obfyer; |b was ¥egol?ed that the Sjdenham Borough Council's aoMon be endorsed fEIJDEBS Ib was resolved, on tba motion of Mr Wright, seconded by Mr JTrtedlander, that N Welsh's benders at 33 9i and 2a 3d per acre, for pertain reserves, be accepted, and th&t of E & Lopk, for |}15 IQs, way also acoeptedt Fresh bendeys to be Called tot the river bed above the bridge MIAfEVt SUPPLY APPLICATIONS W Anderson waited on the Council, on behalf of the Falrfield Company, applyiog foe a ioop Un«j'' '■> • j granted sublet to Bpp'io^nts paying all oo&tsof mainteuaqqe apd all annual charges, eubjeob albo to the Engineer's supervision [Mr Harper here renired, and Mr Wright took the chair] Nelson EdeD's apptioabion waa grififceil i^ron? Robert filler, applying for the dlyerelQn oi:' a rage from one elde of the read to the o'tbeg •"■"•■■- •■ -> •• > Mr Morgan explained the way appHoanb wished the race to ba diverted Agreed to, conditionally upon Mr Man delia's consent being obtained for outfall From L Smith, South Rakaia, asking for a pond service " ' i Afaer Cunoiderable diecuasioo, It. was agreed to grant' the Spp^icaßion, Bubjeob to ' the Engineer being satisfied with bh& ocndibloao Authorsby wss given to issye permfts bo Mr* 0 8 $oight, for Pi»ddiag Bull bildga,

and T Hix for Hoorl'a Crossing bridge

COMMITTEES

Mr Stadholme's name was placed on the Finance Committee and the Plantation Com mittee in lien of Mr Buckley's RACE PLOUGH Mr Chapman asked if any report had been sent in as to the allocation of the prize offered by the Council for the best water raoe plough. It was rather late in the day, bub there should be eomethiog before the Council Mr Lanabie, as one of the judges, said It oertainly was rather late in the day, and no instructions had been issued to the judges to report. It was agreed to apply to the Aahburton A and P Association for a report* VTE6IIONS Mr Chapman said Mr Taylor had asked him to bring up a certain matter, in con* neonion with the non payment of his rates. Mr Taylor bad explained that he had bought land from another person, and there was a difference about the rates, which was why he did nob pay. Mr Wright asked why Mr Taylor had not folly explained his position to the Council before he wai sucnmonsedt That was his proper ocmrse. Mr Friedlander had given Mr Taylor that advice | The subject) then dropped CONSIDERATION DEFERBED The Clerk stated that a letter had been received from a oartaia person, and a SDggestion was made that) it be held over bill the Chairman wan present) Mr Friedlander said that all letters should be produced to the Council, and be was sure that if any of them should affect a member of the Counoil all the rest would have sufficient consideration to defer dealing with any such nutters until the member concerned should ba prasenb The letter was then handed to the acting Chairman, and it was thereupon resolved that as it concerned the Chairman of the Council, consideration should be deferred until tiexb meeting. An application from the Mount Hutt Road Board re fords was also deferred until next meeting, as was an application frem the Junior Clerk for an increase of salary This was all the business, and the Council adjourned

Rangitata Road Board.

A meeting of the Bangitata Road Board was bold oa Friday, the flat January, 1902, Present—The Chairman (Mr 0 J Harper), and Mesera Dellow, Jaine, Keilooh and Taraobbon The Overseer's reporb was read PLOUGHING GOaSE ON ROADS Messrs Reddeoiiffe and Kellook were granbed permission on the usual terms yOUND RANGBR R Low was appointed ranger for the district) GATES ACROSS PUBLIC ROADS Two ratepayers applied for permission to ereob new gates. On the matter being pnt to the vote, ib was carried on the voices— " That this Board will nob officially saoetion bhe erection of any gates aorese public roads." WATFIELD BRIDGE BOAD The oontrAObor's amended account was reoeived and approved. It was resolved to call for benders for metalling this road before winter SMALL BIBBS . Ib was resolved that the purchase of small birds eggs should cease ab the cad of this month, ou the grounds thai) the system was antagonistic to the systematic laying of poisoned grain. This Board is of opinion that the poisoned graia is the better method cf dealing with bhe pest, and while reoognis* ing the good work performed by bhe Qouuty Council in issuing ths grain, truatß that every effort will bn made to render the poisoning more effioacioua, and would recommend consulting tha ornithologist of Kew Gardens on the subjeob

GOERESPONDBN'CB

From Messrs Paine and Elmslie, re road frontage—Resolved to form thla road fuii width, 76 chains in length

From Mr S Trebheway, ra fence of shingle reserve—The writer was referred to the Fencing &cb

From Mr MeLaahlaa, re heaps of stones on road—The Overseer would attend to the matter

ACCOUNTS

Accounts amounbiag to £2HQ 7a lOd were passed for p yire t, and the Board adjouraed until tbe lastTliaraday in February

I 0.0. F., M.U.

For somo time past the Grand Master of the A^hhnrton Diatrlcb of Oddfellows', Bro A Pdteraon, h»s been working aealously to establish a Ladies Lodge In Ashburt on. He received great; assistance in the forwarding of hia object) from the late Mrs T Berber, and also from Sfrs 0 Beech, wifch the result bha.t on Thnrsd y last the Loige was opened by the District Officers. There was a large attendance of members of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, and there were also present members representing other lodges and three Districts. The lodge, which is nance 1 "The Loyal Ivy," has been started with a membership of thirteen. The ladles went through the various ceremonies well and confidently, after which the officers for the first term were elected as follows : —N.(* , B.G.M. Bro A Paterson ; V.G., Sister McKernanj R.S to N.Q., Sister Good; L.S. to N.G., Sister Paterson; R.S. to T.G., Sister Beech, sen; L.S. to y.G., Sister Thomas; Warden, Sister Dolman; Guardian, Sister Igoe; the offices of E.S. and P,.S. were lafb open. THe Ledge was tlien qbsed, apd a|l asssrablsd'eat down tq a sapper supplied by the Loyal Ash.bnrtan Lodge, D Q.M Bro A Paterson presiding, with P.O.S, Bro John Swanson in the vice chair. The three sentiments were enthusiastically given, after whleh the chairman in a near speech proposed bhe toasb of ' The Loyal Jvy Lodp,' and Slater Igoe raad«» a good speech in reply. Other toasts were • Other Lodges In the District," responded to byP.P,G M. Bro T Williams ; * The Loyal Ashburton Lodge,' responded to by N-G. Bro W J Leggeb and G.M. Bro John Tarton ; • The Army, Navy, Volun teers and Boys at the Front,' responded to by P.G, Bro W E Dolman. During the evening songs were excellently rendered by P.G. Bro Dolnnn, Bro J W Stephens, and Bto T Young, and ■ F.Q. B,ro CJharles B.eephi g&ys sqnjp enjoyable records onjhis gramiphone. Slsterlibeeh, on behalf of the Ladies Lodge, thanked the Ashbarton Lodge for entertaining them, after whloh the singing of Auld Langsyne and the National Anthem terminated a most successful and enjoy able function. Several male members signified their intention of becoming honorory"members of the Ladies Lodgg, and frofy $11 apyearancp bfye Loyal |^y Lodge will goo& become a atrong con sbtbution,

Interprovincial

United Press Association—By Eleotrio SJelegrapb -•'< Waihi, February 7

Captain Jackson Palmer, M H R, who has obtained a oommisßioa in the Ninth Contingent, addressed hla constituents at Waihi, receiving a hearty vote of bbanijß and gonfidenos, the neetltjg plecj^ed \tnlt to ea^eavov to secure \+U r^-sllcfcion snqijld b? not> return Ijaforp the general election. An aujendhfient wrh proposed that Qapt Palmer shoqld fo?ego his present intention and remain to look after the intersfca of the dhtrlot. The motion was Qfttrled by only one vote. Oapbain Palmer intlmateu th"t ht arjn"!^ obtain the wishes of the rWofnis oonstitnpnts before finally deciding. He considered it questionable whether his constituents would feb hiju g<%

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—ByEleotrio

Telegraph —Copyright

THE CORONATION INVI TATIONS. London, Feb 6

Lord Strathcona, interviewed, said the Canadian provinces were unlikely to make similar claims in connection with the coronation if the State Premiers of the Commonwealth ob tained theii desires.

THE AMEER OF AFGHANISTAN

It is reported at Peshawar that Habi* bullab, the Ameer of Afghanistan, in completely under the influence of Haddft Mullah, who did all in his power to embroil Afghanistan in 1887. Haddiah is now fomenting fanatical unrest.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

The Prince of Wales has been in« stalled a Fellow of the Royal Society,

A BULGARIAN MINISTER ASSASSINATED.

Sofia, February 7

A Macedonian assassinated Kant* cbeff, Bulgarian Ministerof Instruction, and then committed suicide, The as sassin was a disappointed university professor. LEARNING FROM NEW ZEALAND. Stdnsy, Feb 7 The Government have decided to send Mr Hanna, Commissioner of Roads, to Wellington to study the eyetem of road construction in New Zealand with a view to its introduction here, FIJI. The Federal Postmaster - Genera! has approved of the Canadian mai ateamers calling at Fiji. The Aorangi, the next outward vessel, and the Mio« wera, the next; inward, will call there. MORE PLAGUE OASES IN bYDNEY, , Two cases of plague have occurred, •> hotel employee and a newsboy, Both reside in opposite ends of George Street. The present outbreak is re mote from recent cases THE FEDERAL TARIFF, Melbourne, Feb 7 The Federal House of Representa tives has placed a differential excite of 2d on pure beer made from hops and malt.

OBITUARY. Sir John Oofcton, a former Premier of South Australia, is dead.

SOUTH AFRICA

United Press Asßoeiabioa—By Eleotdc Telegraph—Copyright London, Feb 6

Details of the fight at Llebenberflßolei show that Bix squadrons of the South African Light Horse and a sqaad of Yeomanry captured a convoy and 700 cattle, dispersed 70 Boers, captured Steyn'a remount depot and 20 of hit splendid horses, At the same time Garratt's Seventh New Zealinderi and the Sixth Queensland Bash men de feated Commandant; Mean's commando, 800 strong. Toe Boers had a fifteen pounder and two pompoms

The Boer Government's headquarter^ Are now at Steemk^upsberg, Sir Jfohn Oockburn, in a lei fcer to the Times, Bays the remount scandal showed the unparalleled advantage of establish ing remount depots in Australia, at advocated by Sir Langcjo?i IJooyttofy of Adelaide,'

ijouis Botha degraded Tobias Smnti for burning; Bremersdorp. Smuts re« torted that Chris Botha had similarly offended and went unpunished. More* over, Louis Botha ordered Boer women to be driven into the concentration camps against their will,

THE MEN OF THE SURREY.

Sydney, Feb 7

The members of the Surrey's Con tingent are in excellent health and spirits. The Government place tho yacht Victoria at their disposal to-day for a trip on the harbour.

EUROPEANS JOINING BOTHA.

MORE BOERS CAPTURED.

LQRD LANSDdW&E'S ITOfEE^. London, February 7 Seventy Europeans recently joined Botha, coming through bringing a new heliograph: fitawlinsonfe Mounteds captured f|Q of Botha's commando.

Mr Balfour states that Lord Kit chener has been asked to send Kuyper Lord Lansdowne's notes to ibe Boer leaders,

GERMAN VIEW OF LORD SALISBURY'S SPEECH.

London, February 7 The Krager clique is incensed «t Dr Kuyper's fruitier intervention. Lord Salisbury's speech has convinced Germany that Groat Brittio does not iatend to abate her demands in Sou^H Africa,

SMUTS'S LETTER. EFFECT IN GERMANY.

Berlin, Feb 7

The National Zeitwng Bays Smatt'i letter shows that the ao-cailed English barbarities are sometimes regarded by ttia Boers as military necessities and also sho^s the impropriety of ehattaetosl- seing the Britigti 1 goldien ac marderert and farm barnerg. Smntß hwi tlio oonnned tbe allegation that the British were forced to establish tbo coacshtra-

tioo camps,

BRITISH LOSSES FROM DI6-

BASE. v '■ Losfnos, February 7

Tbe total British losses during the w«r to the ett/1 of January inbladfe tha deaths from digeiee of 965 officers »Dd 24,3*0 mm, " - :

CRICKET.

(Jolted Press AesoQiartion—By EleotrEo Telegraph—Copyright Perth, February 7. Spofforth the well known ex-Australian bowler, who Is on a brkf visit to Australia, regards Maclaren's team as the finest) that has left England, ercept in bqtril'ng. QenersHy Speaking, thbro is only oti^ Q^l| glass bow'et in England, and he {$ Rhodes,

ENGLISHMEN v, BATHURST.

SVDKftTi 7

in the match between the English teem and Bathardt, the Englishmen in their Mrttj Innringa :haye JoUt sefeh fbr 411 * MeGahYy 71, rmt oat I§J, Garnet §9, Mc^areti BQt out 74.

THE ASEBURTOK GOARDIAIS s BATUBDAY, FBBKUABY 8, 1902



Uabe Ifebruary » M 11 91 ID

s  8 ... 7 .. 8 .. 9 «. 10 -

Rises 5 10 5 11 5 12 5 14 5 18 S 16

Sets 7 19 7 18 7 16 7 15 7 14 7 12



Last quarto New mocn Apogee First quarter Full moon Perigee

D I 9 2 16 25 17

H M 0 39 am 0 52 a m 110 am 2 27 a m 0 33 a m 5 30 » m



MJBINEBB NOTIQBS ' """LINOLEUMS, CARPETS, RUG£> ETC, LINOLEUMS, OARPET3, RUGS, Etc, AT T. H. UNDRILL & CO.'S. WE HAVE )QBt curchftSfd a very Oiioice As ortment of TRAVELLERS' SAMPLES in Hearth Rugs, Cfcrpetg, Fqußtes, Hail and Psßsage Mats (in lh@ latest designs and colours. The above ate to be Bold at prices much b low the usual Ga h prices. Pasiage Mats from la eacb. . Hearth Rugs fro'r> 2i 6d, 3d 6d, and so 00, Wa are now showing NEW BEDSTEADS (jusfc opened up) direct from the Birmingham Factories, the lateab In Iron and Brass Steada. BEDDING and FURNITUBE cf all kinds In Stock and made on the Premises. Old Faraltare Espalred and Renovated equal to New. Bedroom Ware, Dinner Sets and Tea Sets, Silverware, Lamps, Vases, and Fancy Gorda, Perambulators and Go-Oarts, Wicker and Fancy Chairs, SEWING MACHINES—The Beat at lowest prices, (The famous'Aaohor.' ' T. H. UNDRILL & CO., FUBNTBHING WAREHOUSE, TANORED STREET (Eatabliehed 1832)



J. WILSON HAS Jraafc received ANOTHBK 10 Bales of Lovely WALL PAPERS. T NOLUDED in the Shipment »re some beautiful Designafin Dining Room, ! Bedroom, and Hall Papers. Perioras deiirfng te choose fcheir Papers from>he fall stock may have them kid slide an til re qaired. HOUSK~PAINTING. THIS p&rb of the buainess receives oar Bpecial attention, none bat OBNUINE Oils and White Lead being ueed. Thorough tradesmeQ sent to town or country at ehorteefe notice. Sign-writing a specialty.



F. FERRIMAN FOB SALE Goodwill of Farm of 252 Acres, past of the Pareora Estate, held under Lease in Per patoity Jof 998 year*. I HAVE ireosif ed inatrnolioDß to sell the Goodwill of a Farm of 352 Acre*. forming part ol the Paieora Fstate, situated »bont6 miles from Xhf St Andrew's Railway Station, and 10 milt 8 below Timarp. me Improvements consist of three miles of new feßcfog, three roomed oott&go and scullery, •table and ohaffroom 30 s 14, Implement ahed 30x12* The buildings are a" »ew '• 110 nirei »re laid down in graas this year, 64 »«re» are sown down i ■ wheat, 30 acres la oats, 35 »orea in tncoipe, aoJ tho re tn«ind«r is in old pasture ffhU property 19 ons of the pick of thfl «tate t and is in good heart It will carry too sbeep to the acre, and !ast> year fattened <K3O tombs, which were sold on the firm at I4«6!e»ob.  L . Fn 1 pftrtlcul&ro can be had on application F FERRIMAN, Land and Fatale Agen\ Ashburton FOB SALE TINORED STREET, ASBbURTOS. A SOUND INVESTMENT. T HAVE received in3trncfclonß from Mr X Edward Gibbard to sell parfc of Town Section 108, situated in Tancred Street, opon which is created » very ccmmodions led convenient Draper's Shop, with dwelling attached, large front slaHs windows, good poeition. The property la let to ft Rood tenant, and is yielding an »an<aal rental of £91. Fall partieaiiMH! aa&y be had on appli mtlmt° F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent, Ashbarton SHEEP FABMS. 1* HAWifiseTOral Slteep Farms for 1 " Bale* ranging from .350 tc,lßoo lews. The pr-pertles are well fenced and watered and are within easy aseesa of « market. Fill particulars on application. F. FBRKIMAN, Land and Estate Agent LIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND OLOBB INSURANCE COMPANY. Fire Reserve Fund, £2.040,080 Fotadf over Ten Million Pounds Sterling MR JOBEVH WARD having resigned the Agency of this Company at Aohbwton, Olieota and others eire informed that) Mb J B Christian, Burnett btreefc, has |««a appointed »■ hi* BuooeMor: The Company is noted for its liborajlty »ntl promptnesH of settlement of claims. BIRD AND ADLEY, \ 74 Managers, Cbriatchuroh PHOTOGBAPHY. HAWA'S'BTUbIOS, 6AUNDBRB* BUILDINGS 1. WE are doin« TWELVE ENAMELLED CABINET PHOTOS -aw* BN LABOKMEHT, s'si 12 x 10, mounted on a twatitifa! tinted plabe sunk mount for JOS. SSJB SPECIMENS, aa thib ia oisly for a Limited Time. COMB EARLY!! 1 14 i O yon wish «, .happy New Year., If * so buy yom p.oots at Mkllcb's 80-.t Ptore, $reat J3argaina



QQth FIRST EVENT OQffa lulu FIRST EVENT £OWI ' OF THE NEW YEAR. Strange's Sale. A GRAND OgANOE for the Ashbarfcon Public to participate in the Bargains. Call at Our Sampls Rooms Burnett Street, and peruse the Catalogue MR GEORGE SANL'REY, our Reprei uentafcivo, will gat you anything you aeleob at Christchuroh Sale Prims. All the ianmen?e Stock of Samples musfc be saorifiaed, Cleared oub to make room for Dew, EVERYTHING REDUCED MUST GO. Drapery. Furuilure, Bedsteads, Bedding, Orookery, and Boots. A Call will confinoo you. Come Early. D.m't Forget. Id a ahorb month the Bar gains will b? gone. ASHBUBTON LADIES 4gkee that is the choiobst and most delicious; TEA On the Local Marke", Packed in lead, and encased in card board Oartoas to ensure freshness and flavor right to the breakfast table. 80!© Agent— J. T. OOOGH, Ashburton. STIHE LAST DAYS OF SALE OF GIBBARD'S STOOK GIBBARD'S STOCK GIBBARD'S STOOK BARGAINS BARGAINS I BARGAINS Gent's Nfttwrat Panfca, salo price Is 61 (Want's Merino half Hose, tf ,„ 61 Gent's Soft Felt Hats „ lt fa l^d Gent's Tweed Suits „  2iS3 Ladies' Fast Dyed Hose  „ 10|dl Ladies' Lisle & Cotton Oloves  6d Ladine Unbreakable Consolo,,  2a 6.1 Ladies' Summer Singlets M >» 9i LOOK HERE LOOK HERE Hem Stitched Handkerchiefs la 9| dtp id White Calico for lining 2s 91 d< x a Floral Aft Muslin 2s lid d< zm Paper Cojlleirs^i box, Bibs 3J. ■ DRKS3 GOODS DKESS GOODS DRES3 GOODS Lees than Chrletohurch Prices. Floral B'aok Silk fioleh JUnJ^a 73 6d Dreea ALL B EDUCED. Ijinoleump, Floorcloths, Curtains, Sheet), 1 £og, Towels, Toilet Covert*, Quilts, Counterpanes Good Washing Prints 3a 9d dc z 'n. B iug yoar ready Moaegr aud $et good Goods in Exchange THE POLYTECHNIC. Late GIBBARD'B, Tanored Street. PRINCE Albert Privati Hotel, Wills Street .^near Rail.^ftp B.ation and Pob6 Office), Ajahfe.urton. Uudejr fjtflvr Manage ment). First Class Accommodatioc lot Boarders, the Travelling Public, and (Fami lies. Good Table kept, Ho4j snad Cold Bathe, Tariff moderate. Loose Boxes for Horses, Letters and Telegrams promptly replied t#. —A. H. FBLLINGHAM Proprietor. 11176



TliUOmu SOOT 4 AURIGA ON A BiCYCriE— A recent) issue of tjie English Cyclist contains the following s —Mr M G 4>tyre, of Kimberly, writes bo inform Budge Whit worth, Limited, that during the last seven years he has ridden a Rudge Whitworth bicycle 28,000 miles, being an average of $000 milea per year. Travelling over all lands sf country in Cape Colony, Transvaal, ,an,d grange jSlver p»lony, he has, during this period, worn out niae J^ack tyres and Big fro.nt tyres. IJe'adds that the teeajtings, ?r,©«B and wheels are as good today as .when hts |wr(eAi&a## tfe.a We wish to notify out jre^dlerß jbhat Mesar^ Fletcher Bros Second Tea Oompetlbiijn closes ou February SBth, ao that all wfao bold Coupoßß must) send them ia before the above date, if they wish bo have a chance in this prfjae Distribution



6|tjs M,oi-:th Only—Meeira Oates, Lowry and .Co. are prepared to receive a few second hand $ioycles jo part psjrmeul for new ones. Highest tpankeb value will be allowed on



Jam Making Season—Amy of our readeri wanting Jam, Jelly, or Preserving Pans, could nob do batter than read Messrs Fletcher Broa advertisement* as «hey have a great many kinds to choose •from, and their prices are bedr^gk, O^lng to basing such 4 phenomenal Fruit Season throughout fehi coWyV frhe<re> leliiiefy to be-a «bort»gp ff|i. Jam .fare, bo any 'one reguiriDg any should buy wh}lp |>ri§e«r are 10, W s