EPHEMERIS

SUN.

Phases of Moon for February

Mail Notices

Malls close for the following places as under, eubjoct to the necessary alterations:

THURSDAY, February 13

For Northern Ports and Westport, per Rotomahana, ab 6 30 p m

FRIDAY, February 14

For Northern Ports and Westport, also Australian States, India, China, Straits Settlements, South Atrioa, Continent of Europe, and United Kingdom, (due London on March 30ih), via Vancouver, per Monowai, at 10.30 a m

MINING

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph

Dunedin, Feb 13

Today's sales—Cromwell 72a, Golden River 7s 61, 7s 6d ; Greenstone Junction 24. 6d, Trafalgar 23s

COMMERCIAL.

THE LONDON MARKETS.

London, February 12

The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,680*000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,300,000 quarters

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS

Sydney, Feb 12 Wheat, chick, 2s 7d to 2s lid; milling, o, Oifl O-ts—'Algerian, 2a 7d ; Tasmaulao, prime feeding, 3a 3d Fioar, £6 15a to £7 15a ; Manitoba^, £11 10s to £12 5s Barley, Cape, 2i 9d bo 2a lOd Bran, Is 3|d; pollard, Is lid Ma Z9, prime. 3s 6i to 3s 8d Potatoes, £4 15* to £5 10a Onions—£3 16a to £4 6s Butter, lid Cheese, 6 i to 7d. Bacon 7&d to 81 (The above quotations are those ruling between merchant and retailer, and do not represent the slightly lower values obtained by recognised brokers.) Melbourne, February 12 Wheat 3s 4d Flour, £7 10. to £7 18s Bran IOJd j pollard, 10$ dto lOf 3 O.ts, Algerian, 2s 4_<i to 2s 63 ; milling, 2a 7d Barley, good malting, 4s 53 to 4a 7d ; feeding, 2s 8d to 2a lid Maze3s 3i Potatoes, £3 5s to £3 Igi Adelaide, February 12 Wheat 3s 3d Flour, £7 10. Oats, Algerian, 2s 81 to 2s 6d; whites, 2s 5d to 3s Bran, Is, pollard, Is

WANGANUI RAM FAIR.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph

Wellington, Feb 12

Messrs Freeman R Jackson and Go's central ram fair began today. The attendance was very large, but it was manifest thab Lincolns, which have hitherto been bo pr'zed on this coast-, were at a discount, and that English and Border Lelcesters, of which there were compara tively.few entered, were more appreciated For the latter there was keen competition. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company's entrks averaged £5 10s 7d, W Boaa's £* 16s 10J, G G Russell's £3 9d 3d, A Martin's £5 19., J S Holmes' £510s 31, Threlkeld's £5 2. 41. Romneys were neglected. Perry Bros' English Lelcesters made £.0 Is, Holmes' £11 lis. Of Lincoln studs Rayner BroV brought the highest average with £1* 15s 3d. In Lincoln flocks J B Subton averaged the highest, £3 0. 9J, others averaged £2 8s 3d down to £1 Is.

ADDINGTGN STOCK MARRET.

Christohdbcb Feb 12

Ab the Addingfcon market today, the entries totalled 14,166, sheep 443, cattle 549, pigs fab cattle 18§ head were yarded, The bidding was slow* and a drop of a (shilling per lOOlba on lasb week's prices, No Norlh Island bo hand!. The following are some prices realised :—-Steers £6 17a 6d to £10 17s Bd, beif'rs £5 15a to £7 17a 6.1, cows £7 bo £7 17« 6d, or equal to 16a per lOOlba bo 21« per 1001b.. Store cattle good entry and strong comp.ti.ion for all classes. 392 old steers £6 10a to £6 16s j heifers £4 8. 6d; two year steers £4 5s to £4 9. ; fifteen to eighteen mouths cattle £2 5i to £2 19s; yearlings £1 4s to £1 17s «Jl; dry cows £2 103 to £4 5a ; dairy cows average entry £7 17s 6d good sorts, one really prime one fetching £10; fat sheep fairly large entry bulk crossbred ewe of good quality ; freezing sheep fair competition bub spirited for good ewes, which advanced a shilling per head other ewes bidding irregular but tone firmer. Wethers 13« 91 to 14* 6d for light weights, fre.z'ng 15« to 16s 9d ; *xbra prime heavy weights l?a to 17s 9d ; ewes pound mouth crossbred Ha to £$. ?d j aged 7s 43 to 13J 9d. Fat lambs smaller entry by nearly 1000 and falling off in quality as well i oompetlbion good for best freezers but prices easier, 108$ were •old by auction foe freeing, lis 4d bo 14i 5d j trade took 513 ab 10s to J.4j 2d, grazers 246 ab 10s 31 to 12s lOd, remainder Jl2O passed auotion lOi to 12s SL Btore sbaep larger en'ry, mostly Norbh Island and Ghabham Island sheep, bulk of eotry found buyers and prices slight improvement, Prinoipal Balea--192 four and six tooth crossbred wethers 13s 7', 67 at 13s 6d, 58 at 13s S I, IS6 at 12i sd, 128 two tooth crossbred webhers 12« lid, 270 ab 11b 3d, 197 at 10. sd, 93 four and six tooth crossbred ewes 13s Id, 122 mixed ageß lis 6d, 12# a* J$J Id, aged 7s 3d, rape lambs 9a 6d to Us 4d, stores 53 to 7s Id. Pigs—There was a larger entry and a good demand nil round—Baconers 34s to 6§., or 3§. per lb ; porkera 22s to 30-, or 4d per lb ; large stores 14. to 23. 6!, weaners and exn.ll stores 5s to 8s

GERALDINE FARMERS' SALE.

There was a good attendance of buyers ab the Geraldine Farmers' yards yesterday, wheo abou. 4000 sheep were yarded. The sale was a fairly good one bnt prices were a little easier. JU'irnb. brought 83 9d, 9. and 10s 2d ; merino ewes, 7a .i. Cabbie—Fab oows, £6 5s and £6 15s; cows in calf, £4 and £5 10a, Pigs—Shores, -7s Bd.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1902.

Some weeks ago we referred to the proposal of Mr John Lambie at the meeting of tbe North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union, that the Colonial Council Bbould be invited to consider the question whether the position of farm workers was capable of amelioration, in the direction of shorter hours and better pay. Since then we have obtained some informa tion on this subject, and we are able to endorse what we said in our pre vious article, that farm hands have many advantages which more than compensate for their getting less wages i than town workers, For example we have before us a list of the wages paid by two well known farmers in this county to their permanent hands. In one case single ploughmen get 22s 6d ! a week with a bonus of £8 for the harvest, or £6110 i a year with board and lodging. A married man receives the seme wages with a £10 bonus, rations, and a free house for his family and grazing for a cow. Holidays, sometimes amounting to several days at a time, are not deducted, and a good man is generally allowed the use of a horse occasionally to enable him to visit his friends. In the other case the ploughmen get 24s a week, a bonus of from £5 to £8, and their board and lodging. These figures bring the wages up to £2 2. a week, which is the rate fixed in most cases by the Arbitration Court aa the legal wages in the mechanical trades. But that amount is supplemented by no extras auch as f*rm hands receive, and only a few holidays are given, all but Christmas Day and Good Friday , being deducted. The hours of the farm bands are not fixed by statute as those of the town workers are, and some times they are longer than they ought to be. But to compensate for this, the permanent employee on a farm or station has days when he is not very busy, and when he can often get an I hour or two extra to himself. We have already pointed out that the agricultural workers live under much more favourable conditions with regard to health, and that they have fewer inducements to waste their money than thoae in towns. We have also referred to the remarkable fact that a larger proportion of the former, emerge suc cessfully from the start in life than of the latter. The conclusion to be arri ved at—assuming our statements to be correct—is that the discrepancy be tween the wages and prospects of the two classes of workers is more appar ent than real. If the cost of living in this country were normal, that is to say, if the cost of the necessaries of life were r?gulated on the same principle as the wages of the agricultural lab ourers are regulated,—by tbe law of supply a»d demand—rthere would be j nothing to complain of in the position , of the farm and station hands, But the coßt of living has been increased by the fictitious rise in tbe wages in the mechanical and manufacturing trades, so that the purchasing power of money has been reduced fully twenty per cent. That is the result of the agita? tion of the Trade Union!. However, we believe that tnflca g,;>od would follow the careful investigation of the question whether the position of farm workers can be improved, and even if such an enquiry should have no other effect it would clear up the mi.concep- i tion that exists In the minds of some people aa to the true state^of the c»se ; and would prevent interested schemers creating unrest amongst agricultural employees throughout this county,

The proposal, whioh emanates from Christchurch, that tbe colony *s a whole should mark its appreciation of the Imperial services of Mr Seddon by presenting him witb a national testi monial, prior to his departure for London, is $ Ranch moro dignified and fitting manner of expressing New Zealand's approval pf hjs action, and its endorsement of his polioy than that contemplated by the people of Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. Merely regarding the matter from a personal standpoint, tbe idea of banquetting the Premier at all ths centres in the colony before he leaves, appears to us to be cruel in tha extreme, for even his iron constitution and long training in tbe feasting business could not be expected to stand the strain of the abnormal dissipation that would be necessary. In? stead of our Premier attending the Coronation ceremony, and exhibiting his characteristic watchfulness and energy, he would probably have to send His Majesty an apology and a doctor's certificate; Seriously, the banquet idea is utterly unworthy of the occasion. We wish to sSso'ft? that in what he has done with regard to Imperial questions generally, and in pending thp ' Oontin< gents especially, Mr Sedd.Qp has the people of New Zealand stand ing solidly behind hittju fhis <Je monstrasidn j#uat he entirely free from party bias. It .boula ba the spontaneous and universal utteransa of this portion of the British Empire, and should be made in such a -_.a_.neif fch&t the public sentiments can be gathered without the necessity of wading through the after dinner speeches at innumerable banquets.. We sincerely hope that the other centres will ab^tdoa tjjeir pres ent intentions with regard to banquet ting Mr Seddon, apd fall in with the larger and more dignified proposal tfcat has been made by the citizens of Christ? church. In that case the people in the most thinly settled districts may have an opportunity of joining In tbe aat» ional tribute of New Zealand to its patriotic Premier.

Local and General.

Weather Forecasts — Captain Edwin wires : —North west bo west and south gale, glasß fall; indications of rain.

The Christchurch Races—Last nlghb the express for Chri.tchurch was heavily l.den with passengers bound for the Christ church races, which take plaoe today. By the early train bhis morning aboub forty passengers went north*

Industrial Building Society—The 6lsb appropriation of £300 of bhe Ashburton Industrial Building Society was bailotted for las. night, and fell to the lot of share No. 36_, the property of Mrs Annie Baker.

Obituary—The Taranak! correspondent of the Wetkly Press wires thab 'Jack' O'Brien, well known in Ashburton as a horse trainer, was found dead at bhe Cliffs ab Opanake on Friday lasb. He bad been in falling health for some time.

A Departing Trooper—Trooper T. Devane, who has been appointed to the Ninth Contingent, lefb for Danedln by the express today. As the train moved off hearty cheers were given for the departing trooper.

Personal. —Mr Thomas Bullock is ab present on a visit to Hanmer. —We rtgreb to learn that the oondibion of Mrs Horace Gibes was so critical lasb even* hog that her immediate relatives were tent for. Mr Gates has been with her for some days.

Land Valuations—The Otago Daily Times Wellington correspondent states that a Wairarapa farmer says the recent increases in valuations a»e astounding and ruinous. Referring to his own case, he says : - The va'uation has been more than doubled in the period between March 31, 1901, and April 1, 1902, it bsing now £211 12s for every previous £100

Coursing. — Our .porting readers are reminded that the nominations for the Ashburton Coursing Club's May Meeting oloae with the Hon. Secretary, Mr W, Shearman, today. Id may be mentioned that non members of the Club are eligible a. well as members, and thab dogs are nob to be named until the final payments are due on May 6.

Advantages of Close Settlement — The advantages of close settlement (says the Wairarapa Star) are strongly illustrated in the recently acquired Mang.toro Blook. Formerly, ab the most, eleven people lived on the estate ; now one section has a family of eleven ! Whab the other 32 sections will carry in human - live stock is variously estimated at from 50 to 60 for a start.

Flower Show—The entries for the Horticultural Show, to open tomorrow, show an Snore we on previous years. Same of the olasses, notably thab for table deoo.abiona, will be exceptionally good. The wants of the public in the way of refreshments will be well looked after by a committee of ladies, who are thoroughly acquainted with the managemenb of afternoon teas. There will be a good band in attendance In the evenings.

Not Altogethhr Foreseen.—Mr Lee, who was reoenbly retired from the position of inspector under the Wellington Education Hoard by that body for criticising ib in his evidence before the Education Commission, is contesting a scab on the Board recently rendered vacant. The Wairarapa Star says there is probably no one in the Wellington province so well qu.lihei for the position aa Mr Lee.

Trade Picnic—A meeting of repreaeuoa bives of the engineering, blaeksmtfchiog and coaobbulldlag trades was held s,fc- Messrs P and D Dunoan'a foundry yesterday afternoon to consider the feasibility of holding s picnic* Mr G Wallace was voted to the chair, and briefly [explained the objaob of the meeting* After some disousaion, ib was decided on the motion of Mr Simpson to combina with the Hampatead Sohool ia their excursion to Timaru on February 20 h.

Children Put Up to Auction—The Salvation Army of Youngsters, Ohio, has discovered a novel way oi finding homes for Unfortunate children* Ib is thab of putting the children up at auction. In an announce' meat of the Bale a captain of ths army said : 'I have the conaenb ot the parents of these Children, and shall sell each to the highest bidder. I will keep within the letter of the }aw, and see thab each child secures a good home and is properly educated,'

A D-Sl-NgnoN—Loe possesses a British matron that ib should feel prond of. Mrs Wesbley, of thab town, is patriotic enough to have given no less than seven sons to the service of her King and country, and is now giving an eighth. Mrs Westley's seven sons are all members of the Imperial Yeomanry fighting ab the front. Her youngest (the eighth) has now volunteered for service in an irregular corps in South Africa, and in view of bhis remarkable record the War Office are providing a free passage.

MAYFiELD—The heavy rain whioh fell on Monday has stopped harvesting, and thresh ing from the stook for the time, bub wil! do good bo feed, &o» Crops are threshing out well this season, Mr Wilson's having averaged seventy bushels. The Saleyards Company are making all speed with their arrangements. The plans for yarda have been accepted, and the timber bought! Things are always on the move at Mayfield, so are people, as several farms are ohanging hands ab very high prices.

JopBNEY o* A Bottle—-An unprecedented journey of a bottle from Central Illinois to bhe Pacific Ocean has iasb oome to light through bhe receipt of a lebber by Walter Boeder, a gropery clerk fa Illinois, from Jes.e Wilson, a young man living on the Pacific coast, Btating that he had found a bottle off the coast of California which contained a letter written by Boeder, and asking the finder to inform bim when aud where it was found* The letter was written in January, 1900, and after being placed in bhe bottle the receptacle was cast into bhe water at Mackinaw River, in Illinois. The bobble must have followed the str&.m to the Illinois River, thence to the Mississippi, and through bhe Gulf of Mexico to bhe Atlantic Ocean. Tbe remarkable currents of the ooean are supposed to have carried the bobble around Cape Horn, and thenoe up the Pacific Coast. The journey exceeded 10,000 miles.

Children's Dreadful Expbrihnoe—A sad bale' comes from Stockholm. During a violent) snowstorm In bhe middle of November two little girl.' of eighi and eleven years of age, daughters of a workman ip Ae.khuleS?, went on a visit bo a neighbouring village. They Btarted home in the afternoon, and at 2 p.m! were met by some sohool children, having then left the high road to go by a ehopb put, children never reached home, but' bheir parents, who thought they bad beep kept overnight by their friends, did neb grow amjioqs vjotil ne?t dsy. Whpn enquiries wer« made and the truth dis covered, the whole population sts.ted in search of the missing children, but the storm made the enterprise very difficult, and ob literated every possible trace of footsteps. After many days' search ib was believed bhab bhe iibb'le girls lay jfead under the masses of enow which covered th'p countries side. Three weejfs after the data of their de* partite bhe poor little children were found frr_en fast to the ground, b|jb still alive j They had wandered in the aborm very far from home, and ab night had Bunk exhausted under a big fir tree, and had fallen asleep. Nex. morning they awoke tsj find tbab their feeb were so frostbitten thab they could nob stand, and there they remained for twenty one dreadful days, able to live because bhe friends they had visited had wrapped them up before they lefb ia extra warm clothing, and had loaded them with good tiling, to sat, But the saddest thing ls thab whin taken' to tbe bpsj^fcal at I£isa lb was fopnd neoessary bo( amputate the!, feeb, rs thai the poor children remain cripples for life. The Swedish Prea. immediately opened a subscription, and 70,068 crowns we?e ooHeated at ossc. for she little sufferer?, who were In a fair way of recovery.

We wish to notify our readers that Messrs l?Ie f ohar Bros Second Tea Competition oloses cm February 2gth, bo thab all who hold Coupons must send tjjjem ia fee.ps=§ tie above dab.," If they wish M have a o^asso. to this Prize Distribution

A WORLD WIDE REPUTATION

Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera md Diar rhoea, Bemedy has a world wide reputation for It. cures. It never fails and Is pleasadfc to take. For sale by Ashburton J)jrcg 06

The Late Fire at Hams-stead—Mr T W Kirk, Inspector for the Canterbury Fire Underwriters' Association, was in town today, conductiog investigations into the recent fire ab Hampstead.

Funeral—The funeral of the late Mr j Charles Bill, of Greenstreeb, book p'aoe this • morning, starting from bhe Hospital, and j was largely attended by farmers and bo ten.-» peope, by whom Mr Hill was held in great | respect. I

Presentation to Colonel Bobin—A fc Danedln last night a sword of honour, the gift of the cibisens, was handed to Colonel Robin by Mr Dennlstoun, Mayor. The presentation was made In the Garrison Hall, the floor of which was occupied by the Volunteers, while the gallery was packed by the public.

Compensation to Lillywhite—lb is Rtated thab the amount to be paid by the B itiah Government to Charles Lilly white, as compensation for his wr jngiul arrest on a charge of having committed a murder at Colchester, Is £6CO This is supposed to cover a year's salary at his trade, and his law expenses. Tho Home Government will also pay his passage back to New Zealand, where he intends to settle.

Long Speeches—Greab complaints were made by relatives of members of the Eighth Contingent about the unnecessary amount of time taken up by the speeches at Addington and Lyttelton, on the departure of the troopers. The Premier was very much in evidence in this respect, and, although everybody recognised his remarkable enthusiasm aod knows that talking is his weakness, it is urged that he ought to have considered the feelings of the troopers and their relatives on an occasion Ilka that. One parent writes to a Christchurch contemporary a very Indignant letter on this subject. He says: -It was understood by all that the men were to be allowed an hour before their departure to see their friends, but even this was denied them, owing to the time wasted by the Premier. Many of the men were only eworn in two days before, and had not time to see any of their friends, bub anticipated doing so jast before leaving.

Magisterial

ASHBURTON-THURSDAY.

(Before Messrs T E Upton, and W H Rule, Jb.P.J ILLEGAL RESOBE.

Frederick Redd was charged with Illegally resouing oertain cattle from R.lph Low, authorised ranger for the County Counoil.

Accused pleaded guilty,

X Low said that oo Ist o! January, he was ab Winslow, when he saw two bead of cattle on the road. Was driving them to the pound, when acou.ad came and drove them back,

The accused called a witness, who swore bhab he had seen accused rescue bhe cattle. This evidently nob being whab accused wanted, he cross examined the witness at some length, without shaking his testimony; Accused gave evidence on bis own behalf, stating thab the cattle were only being driven to water.

Accused was fined 5s and costs,

Accused was further charged with allow ing three head of cattle to grace on a public roadt

Accused pleaded guilty, aud was oonvioted and discharged.

breach of borough by-laws.

George Smith was charged with riding a bicycle on the footpath, in Cameron street Accused was fined 5s and cosbn

civil case.

The Government Advances to Setters Department vWm Brokers There being no appearance of* either par y, the oase was struck oub.

News in Brief.

A syndicate has been formed to work a lignite and shale mine near Timaru.

Mr R Alcorn's sale of general drapery is now proceeding, Orders by posb will receive prompb attention.

The former members and adherents of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru, who are now petitioning to have a second charge established, have promised nearly £600 in annual subscriptions, if tbe Presbytery give them leave to start a second ohu'eh.

A representative of this paper was re cently shown over the new premises just acquired by Mr J E B.in, of Christohuroh. The chambers are situated in WardelPs Buildings, and in addition to being fitted with eleotrio lighb, are supplied wibh ail the labest appliances necessary for dental pur poses.

Amerioan journalist are droll fellow.; One of the New York newspapers the other week contained this announcement :—So many pr'zss have been offered for tbe best of certain things thab we purpose to reverse the usual order. For the poorest joke sent to ua before January 1,1983, we will offer a prize of a splendid pair of poached eggs on boast. For the second best poorest joke we will give the toast only.

Interprovincial

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph

Auckland, Feb 12

At Tauranga on Monday afternoon two young native girls who went out fishing In a canoe from Maiakana Island got blown away In a sudden north east squall. To day the police received news that the body cf one of the girls, about eight years of age, was found on the beach. She was a daughter of a well known native named Jacob, who resides at Matapihi. The Auckland sittings of the Arbitration Courb terminated today. The Court left Onehunga this afternoon for the South, and will sit at Noleon on Monday next} After bearing several cases in Wesblan., the Courb proceeds to InvercargUl, where the saw miliers dispute will be conoluded, An award is expected to be made in about seventeen days time, The Education Board resolved that Instead of tbe present;' system of having one week's holiday at the end of each quarter and six weeks At Christmas, the following holidays be observed;—Si^ weeies" ab' Christmas, Good Ifrid.y, Easter Monday and Tuesday, two weeks at inldwinter, Ring's B rtfyday, Prince ef Wales Birthday, Anniversary Day, and three local holidays as g iced by tbe Committee. GHBtSTOHpnpH, Fab 3.2 £. meeting was hpld here this afternoon for ths purpose of arranging some public recognition of the Premier's spirited aotion in despatching conblngents to South Africa. Thera was a large attendance, including Bishop Julius and a number of prominent citizens, and the proceedings were most enthusiastic. The general feeling was that a presentation should be m*de to Mr Seddon from .he whole of the colony before his departure for the Coronation ceremonies, and a resolution to this effecb, moved by Mr T W Stringer and seconded by Mr G G Stead, was carried unanimously. An influential committee, with the Mayor as chairman, was appointed to carry oub the prop .al, and bhe Committee is cow pom* munioabiug with other centres. New Plvmocth Feb 12 Sir J G Ward arrived here this evening from Inglewood, where heoponedtha Posb Office, and was banquetbed both ab Stratford and loglewood. The Minister meb a depu tation re noxious weeds at the latber place. The ravages -Of bhe ragwort were particularly emphasised, Sir JGr Ward' promised to telegraph at ouge to the Minister to the Department, urging him to take aqtioo and fulfil hie promise,' On arriving here Sir J G Ward was also waited on in reference to public health matters. In reply, h. pointed oub the satisfaobory work done by the Government in this direction, and stated fchai} the expense cf medigal officers would bs borne byiha Government!, b»'..lfe was only fair for the ic.ai bodies to bear the cost of the sanitary inspectors for local matters. ODhe Minister left here for Auckland by the Ngapuhlt '''

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

THE LOSS OF THE CONDOR. New York, Feb 10

The Egeria brought to Vancouver the wreckage of the war sloop Condor, including the deck grating, deck sheathing, and the signal-box

THE FEDERAL CONTINGENT, Melbourne, February 12 The Victorian section of the Federal Contingent left by the transport St Andrew, Tbey received a great fare well,

WHAT ARB THEY ARB FORI Brisbane Feb 12

The Premier has received a letter from Mr Barton announcing that the Netherlands Government are sending several cavalry officers to make en quiries with a view of purchasing horses.

SOUTH AFRICA.

Per Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright

CASUALTIES AMONG NEW ZEAL ANDERS.

London, Feb 12

The following deaths from enteric are reported among the Sixth .Sew Zealand Contingent; — Privates L Walsb, at Wakkentroom; Egbert Dawson, at Oharlestown. Sergeant Harry Stewart Kobinson, of the Sev enth New Zealand Mounted Rifles, wai slightly wounded at Omdrarihoek.

The Army Meat Contracts.

LORD STANLEY'S EXPLANATION.

London,-February 11 Lord Stanley, In the House of Com mons, eald Bergl's explanation of the fact that he was fined ab Liverpool for In correctly labelling frozen meat, was that his assistant sold Australian for New Zealand meat. The Committee of the War Office saw no reason for excluding Bergl from the contracts on this ground, Further, Bergl had proved to be a good army ccntractor for the past five years. He was also a naturalised Britisher. The guarantors included the Federal Steamship Company, Houlder Bros., Craart, can tractor to the Natal Forces, who would be manager. The South Afrtesm Company also includes Karl Meyer, Bergl (who will be manager in Britain), Weil Tymns and Company, representing De Beers, Me John Stroyan, member for Wett Perth shire, Messrs Lewis and Marks, and Mr Joel.

Regarding the pledge to draw all meat as far as possible from the colonies, the War Office had ample confidence In the inspectors at tbe Cape to ensure the fulfilment of the spirit and letter of the contract. The price stipulated were B_d a pound for live meat, s_d for frozen, including delivery wherever re quired. De Beers and Joel's names were re ceived with ironical opposition and cheers.

Lord Carrington in the House of Lords further criticised Bergl's connection with the contract, and complained that tha shippers identified with the contract held large Argentine interests. He moves for the production of the contract papera relating thereto

The Standard is not satisfied that an efficient guarantee has been secured to keep contractors from taking foreign meat when colonial is available.

The Sugar Industry

TWENTY-THOUSAND GER MANS FOR QUEENSLAND.

Brisbane Feb 12

The Government has decided, if suitable arrangements can be made, to place 20,000 Germans on the sugar lands, These Germans represent a large number of families at present in South Australia working on poor land. The Queensland Government pay their passages.

Federal Affairs.

United Press Association—By Elsctrio Telegraph—Copyright HopA»?> February 12 The Ministry believes the action of the Federal Government ultra vires ia regard to the suppression of Tattersalle, and assert that there ia no power by a side issue to abrogate the Lotteries Act. Probably a request will be made to stay action till the Federal High Court can adjust the matter. Melbourne, Feb 12 The Federal House is considering the iron duties, Mr Kingston said Government would probably devote a quarter of a million to the establish ment of the iron ir.duatry and £20,000 to assist in zinc production.

Plague in Australia

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, Feb 12 A man named Gannon and a girl narpecj Power are suffering from, plague. A patient namecj Huxley, 1 procjupe merchant, is dead: Several other suspected p%sea e&re uudep observation.

CRICKET.

ENGLISH TEAM'S PROGRAMME.

Feb 14—Fourth Test Match, at Sydney Feb 22—Victoria, at Melbourne

Feb 28—Fifth Test Match at Melbourne March 11-Broken Hill (IS) March 14—South Australia, ab Adelaide March $o—Leave by Oairah for Loudon

THE FOURTH TEST MATCH

Sydney, Feb 12

Some disappointment was expressed at the non Inclusion of Marsh in the test team.

THE ASHBERTOK GDARDIAK : THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1902



Date February 10 11 12 13 it 1" 16

Rises 5 16 5 18 6 19 5 21 5 22 5 23

Bets 7 12 7 U 7 9 7 8 7 7 7 5



Last quarter New moon Apogee First quarter Full moon Perigee

o 1 9 2 16 23 17

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



F. FERRIMAN ' FINAL NOTICE. TTT la requeet.d thab all Accounts due to Da MAtJDB ba paid to the undersigned within !■_ days F FERRIMAN. Ashburton, February llth, 1902 TO LET, Keratode Street, Ashburton. A COMFORT/BL^ Houso ol 6 rooms, together with good gardtn and orchard Apply F FERRIMAN TO LET, Peter Street, Athburton, A HOUSE of five rooms j | acre of land ; good stabling Apply F FERRIMAN TO LET. Winter's Road, Allenton, A FIRST CLASS Dwelling, containing six roc ma ; 1_ acres of land, e;ood garden and orchard ; detached bathroom, washhouse, stables and trap house F FERRIMAN FOE SALE TANORED STREET, ASHBURTON. A SOUND INVESTMENT. . 1H AYE received Instructions from Mr Edward Glbbard to sell part of Town Section 108. situated in Tancred Street, Upon which is erected a very commodious and convenient Draper's Shop, with dwelling attached, large front glass windows, good position. The properly Is let to a good tenant, and Is yielding an pnnutil rental of £91. Full particulars may be had on appli cation to _*„«,._- F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent, Ashburton SHEEP FARMS. |" HAVE'several good Sheep Farms for JL sale," ranging from 360 to 1800 Acres, The properties are well fenced and wateredfand are within easy access of a market. Full particulars on application. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agenb , eiS M___y-»--~«-----~---_L-_^ BUSINESS NOTICES j PRINCE Albert Private Hotel, Wills, Street (near Railway & »tion and Post Office), Ashburton. Under New Manage ment. Firsb Class Accommodation for | Boarders, the Travelling Public, and Fami' lies. Good Table kep', Hob and Cold Baths, Tariff moderate. Looeo Boxes for Horae., Lelters and Telpgmma prorop ly replied to. —A. H. FKLLINUHAM Proprietor. 11176 ~!WtTeas c! * a _L_ I \ll Jr X l_ \ 'fl 0" I/ Yt FQITO \ - JAMES BAKER in thanking Patrons for past favours, would solicit a couiinu anew to hia .ucce.aor., , W. & M. BAKER, who will carry on the business as usual at the Furnishing Warehouse, Havelock Btraet 12 127 © , \ m A | GREAT i Stock, alcing: Rt'duclions AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING T7AOTORY LOTHING X ACTORY Boys' Straw Hat? reduced to 6J Men's St raw Hatß 7s6d reduced to 2s Men's Hard and Soft Felts Is Men's Black SoftFo'ts, 2s 6J Met,'d Drab Soft Felts, 5< 6d Boys' Tweed Cap?, 3d and 6d Boys' Tweed HatP, Gd and Is CLOTHING— Boys' Tweed Suits reducfd to 5s 6d Boys' Tweed and Cord Knickers Men's Tweed Trousers 7s 6d Men's Tweed Sac Suits, 21s These odd lines have all been thrown out for ABSOLUTE SALE, co come early. .'JHE NEW _Zi_.ALAND CLOTHING FACTORY F. H. BEOKIKGSALB, Manager BE wise and save money. Buy your Boots and Shoos ab Mellob's Z?al_>ndi& Boot Stora, ,



IWiB_IIIIWIWIIIIIIMIIWMM~~B~~~~~~ ' —■——-^— MISS M. RICHARDSON, rnEAOHER OF PIANO. Term began on February 1, 1902. Belt Road, Allenton. VOICE PRODUCTION, SINGING k PIANOFORTE. Mrs Johnston REPUMED Teaching on THURSDAY, 30bh Jan. Havelock Street J WRIGHT, Conductor and Promoter of the Aehburton Bat jo Band, T S Prepared to receive -Pupils for BAVJO, MANDOLINE and GUITAR. Concert., Ab Homes, Garden Parties, Etc, attended. A good supply of Instruments and Music kepb in stock. For Terms, etc, app'y 2 33 J. WRIGHT, Tancred Street. ~ LLEWELLYN OWEN, MCSM. CERTIFICATED & REGISTERED TEACHER. QTUPKNTB prepared for any Musical O Examination held in New Zealand, All branches of Mu.lo taught. Candidates presented at Fx.mlnations 157 ; average marks gained, 94 per cent. E. W.JHALL. TANCRED STREET, WHOLESALE and Retail Depot of the greab Herbal Remedy, Yitadatio. T>E wise and save momy Boy you I _t> Boots and irhoes ab Mellob s, Note , — gealandia Boot Store.



BUSINESS NOTICES { LINOLEUMS, CARPETS, RUGS, ETC. LINOLEUMS, CARPETS, RUGS, Eto., AT T. H. UNDRILL & CO.'S. J \\f E HAVE just purchased a very Choice Assortment ol TBAVELLIRS' SAMPLES in Hearth Rugs, CLrpete, Squares, Hall and Passage Mats (in the latest designs and colours Th. above are to bo sold at price 9 much below the usual Oa^h prices. Passage Mats from 1« each. Hearth Rugs from 2s 6d, 3s 6d, and so on. We are now showing NEW BEDSTEADS (just opened up) direct from the Birmingham Factories, the latest in Iron aud Brass Steads- I BEDDING and FURNITURE of all kinds in Stock and made on the Premises. Old ifarni.ure Repaired and Renovated equal to New. Bedroom Ware, Dinner Sets and Tea Sets, Silverware, Lamps, Vaeee, and Fancy Gocds, Perambulators and Go-Oarts, Wicker and Fancy Chairs, SEWING MACHINES-The Best at lowest prioes, (The famo.b ' Anchor.' T. fl. UK DRILL & CO., FURNISHING WAREHOUSE, TANCRED STREET (Established 1882) U_J_i_JJ|_i_-BllllLIII»l|IIMKJ lMMM_ll__-MnTTI-llTTtl 1 — ■~^-^^—---~^rm^m~mm—mmmMmmm——am—immmmr J. WILSON HAS Just received ANOTHER 10 Bales of Lovely WALL PAPERS. . _ INCLUDED in the Shipment are s®me beautiful Designs in Dining Room, Bedroom, and Hall Papers. Persons desiring to chooae thek Papers lrom>he fall etook may have them laid aside until required; HOUSE PAINTING. THIS part of tbe business receives our special attention, none but GENUINE Oils and White Lead being used. Thorough tradesmen sent to town or country at shortest notice, Sign-writing a specialty. I have a Choice Selection of PICTURE FRAME MOULDINGS. Frames made to order on the premises. JOHN WILSON :i^mmimmmi _____ m _ t ______ m ___ m ___ m^mmmmm^ m^^ AN ADVANTAGE APPRECIATE!) BY TOWN AND COUNTRY ALIKE. A"■ _nr\TbTVTJ CI C_ AT I? ORDERS °BY POST receiving ALtJU-KJN & fcAJLit_J. prompb attention WE ARE OASH BUYERS OF WHEAT, OATS, RARLEY AFD RYE GRASS. HIGHEST PBICB GIVEN. FRIEDLANDER BROS., LTD,



I i - Him win mHE LAST DAYS OF SALE OP GIBBARD'S STOCK GIBBARD'S STOCK GIBBARD'S STOCK BARGAINS BARGAINS BARGAINS Gent's Natural Pants, sale price Is 61 Gent's Merino half Hose,   61 Gent's Soft Felt Hats „ „ Is Hd Genb'a Tweed Suits „  22a Ladies' Fasb Dyed Hose » >• 10_3 Ladies' Lisle & OotbonGloves  6d Ladifle Unbreakable Corsets,,  2s 6d Ladies' Summer Singlets  „ 91 LOOK HERE LOOK HERE Hem Stitched Handkerchiefs In 9d hill dozen White Calico for lining 2s 9d dozen Floral Arb MunUn 2s lid drzen Paper Collars 3d box, Bibs 3d. DRESS GOODS DRESS GOODS DRESS GOODS Leas than Ohristohuroh Prices. Floral Black Silk finish Lusters 7« 6d Dress ALL REDUCED. Linoleums, Floorcloths, Curtains, Sheet, ' iDg, Towels, Toilet Cover?, Quilts, Counterpanes Good Waahing Prints 3s 9d dcaia. B ing your ready Money and get good Goods in Exchange THE POLYTECHNIC. , Late GIBBARDB, Tancred Street. j WANTED KNOWN—That J Moison has made immense .eduction. In order to clear more quickly, and make room for his new Ghaistmas Stock of Booh and Shoes, of best quality jusb arrived Repair ing done ab once, besb leather used ; the Hall —next Court House, Ashburton. 11153 ICING Sugar 6d, Oocoannb 7d, New Sioily Almonds Is 2d, New Jordan Almonds 2s 4d, Muscatels Is,- John Opb & Co,



" Burning Amok,"—A case of • running amok' with a gun is reported by the Mel bourne papers. A man named Tom Brown had forcibly oaken possession of pea rife from a lad named Oantlon, together with §Q cartridges, and was firing at people promfsoh ouaiy. Constables went to the outskirts of bhe town, and there found Brown, who ig apparently onb of bis mind. As soon aa the polioe approached Brown fired ab them, bub _8.8-.e_i,, Senior Consbable Hayden then rnshed bhe mm, ab ihe same time receiving a blow from the riflo, Brow:, n#b haying time to reload. Both constables' a severe struggle to get the demented man In tbe lock up, When searched he had 20 cartridges in his possession, having fired 20 shots at people who eaiwe pibhfe sight, ' _ lad named Bates was nearly snot |be.we ths plioe arrived,



T3KOCGH South Africa on a Bicycle— A eecsnb issue of the English Cyclist contains the following; —Mr X G M'lntyre, of JOmberley, writea to inform Rudge-Whit worth, Limibed, thab during the lasb seven years he b,a. ridden a B,udgG.-Wh|tworth bioycle 28,000 miles, being an average of 4:000 miles per year. Travelling over all feinds of pountry in Cape Colony, Transvaal, and Orange Biser Colony, he has, during this period, worn 0%.t aisje baok tyres and six fronb byres. He adds ths. t_e bearings, frame and wheels are as good today ga when he purchased the maohlne, O$V MpijTH Only—Messrs Oates, Lowry and Co. are prepared to receive a few second hand Bioyoles jn part payment for new ones- Highest market value will be avowed on English or Colonial nj.keg* gsaofej} New Venw



Wades Teething Powders for Babies soothing, reduce fever and preyeat tlptoh^ 5 price, Js



Spoke New Yep*



TBI BEST OF TONICS,



No other preparation has received such absolute proof of its extraordinary properties for restoring to health the mentally overworked, those suffering from ar ssmla, and to the debilitated, as Wilton's Bdvo ferrum {Beef and Iron Ib ro*y'>!sq be administered ! to children • with .Ijie' happiest results.' Your chemist and store keeper sell lb at 2, 6d.—Advt.



Hollis Cycles—The display of Hollls cycles cow on view at John Orr k Go's Is well worthy of inspection by all oyollng enthus iasts. These machines are made from genuine B S.A parts by tbe celebrated gunmakers, I. Hollis & Sons, Birmingham, whioh should be. sufficient guarantee of their efficiency. The mode's we have seen are superbly finished, and the higb v standard of 'quality at.a!n_4 in the manufacture of the Hollis bicycle hi| beon most rigidly maintained. *



Smok^ New Yenu<s