Mail Notices

Malls close for the following places as under, eubjeot to the necessary alterations — TUESDAY, April 8 For Northern Ports and Westporb, per Rotomahana, at 6*30 p m

MINING

Dunedih, Aptll 5 Returns—Callaßhan'sCreek3Q< a: Faotoias 113oz 13dwt; Mystery Fiat 48 z 7dw6. Today's sales—Aldinsa 20a 61; Dnnstan Lead 101; Enterprise 28* 9d , Kxoelsior A% ', Gold King 6b 9d ; Golden Bed 12a 64 j Meg and Annie 21s; Manuherikh 355, 31« 6d ; Olrig 26a; Pactolua 70s; Biia and Shfn« 22s 6d,235; Trafalgar 27* 6i ; Upper Magnetic 7i} Viosory27s, 27»6J., Dpnidin, April 7 Today's Sales—Aldinga 235; JunbMon Electric 20j 6(5; Meg and Annie 20a 9i ; Munnherikia 34a; Helton Creak 71« f 71«, 7£b; Paoiolu»7ls 61; Rise and Bhlne 23» 6d; Royal Maori 13a; Upper Magnetic 7s 9d j Viowry 295.

Returns—Neiaon creek, ZOSozs for 132 hours; Notown, 3loz; Meg and Annie 68 K. Empire 52<i!5 15dwt, Golden Hun 250z 17dwt, Golden Gate 19oz 14dwt, Gbiden Treasure 18<z lOdwt, Otago 18se>

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKET

(From Oar Correspondent) Owing to the holidays, comparatively little bu*incßß has been done in the grain market; Wheat ia coming forward fairly freelyt and there ia & hardening in the prices, probably due to the damage done by the floods, Farmers seem more inclined to dispose of oate, but the chief business aon j tinues to ba done ia Southland lines, ' Wh«at—Prime milling Tuscan, 3« 2d to 3s 3i ; Pearl and Hunter I*,1 *, 3s 2d bo 3s 3d ; whole fowl feed, 3> ab country stations. Oats—Oanadian 2a id to 2« 2d ; short) feed 2s to 2s Id; Duns and Danish 2i at country stations. Baulk*—Good malting 3s to 3s 33 de livered

RAKAIA RAM AND KWE FAIR.

OPhe Rakaia aratn and ewe fair was beld on Thursday last* There was not muoh stock offered, and very little was sold. The following are tho prices obtained by local auctioneers t—Stors iambs 4s lid, merino ewei Is 4d, Shropshire rams up to 1 guinea. A line of 485 crossbred lambs brought 5i

HORSE SALES.

ABCADB. On Saturday last Mr D Thomas oonduoted a horse sale in the Arcade, when there was a large attewlancei The following are some of the prices realised:—Unbroken three year old filly and oolt £39 eaoh; bay finies, unbroken, rising three years, £29 to £33; bay gelding, 3yr«, broken to chains, £42: brown gelding, broken to chains, £46 10s; medium working draughts £15, £18, and £25 10sj harness horse* £9, £10 10s and £21,

WEST STREET AUCTION MART.

At Meitra Fdedlander Bros' hone sale On Saturday there was a fair attendance, and bidding was brisk, good sorts selling well. The, following are representative prioea :— B*v" gelding, 3yr«, £44 ; bay gelding, 7f rs, £40; grey gelding, 3yra, £34 10s; brown gelding, £24; chestnut gelding, £22

HAVELOCK STREET MART

Mr Henry Stepheneon reports aa follows on his Saturday's sale .-—There was a large entry la all classes of pigs, but prioe» were easier, owing to the small atteudaWoe of buyers. Pnoes— Pigs, suckers 3s 31, weaners 4a to ?«, small stores 81 to 12s 6d, small porkers 17b to 21s, fat pig 30a. Poultry—Fowls Is to 2« per pair, roosters 2s 9d per pair ; ducks 3s to 5s 3d per pair, Produce—Potatoes 4s to 5a per sack ; cbiak wheat 83 to 10a 6d per sank ; Onions, |d to f d per Ib.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. Monday, april 7, 1902. Local and General.

Mb Rhodes and she Pbinobs?;—An account of the Bhodes-Badziwili forgery case, whioh was heard at Capetown early in February last, will ba found on the first) page of this issue.—Oo the fourth page will be found ft report of the Tinw&ld Town Board meeting and a roporb of a Committee meeting of the Pirates Football Club.

A shbumon Tkotting Club —Nomina tions for the Ashbnrton Trotting Clubs meeting oloae tomorrow at 9.30 p.m. Laboe Moshbooms—Mr J H Jewiti), fish monger, had some very large mushrooms in hia window oa Saturday, several beiDg aighb or nine inches in diameter. Mushrooms are very plentiful about the fields juat now. Si! Stephen's Church—The Rev Meveri oonduoted both morning and evening «erfleet at 8t Stephen's Oharoh yesterday, and announced that he would take charge of the Ash burton pariah till the end of this month; Camp MawnNG-rThe Primitive Metho dist; Church held a camp, meeting in the Domain yesterday afternoon, bat owing to the inclemency of bhs weather, very few were present.

Charge ov -Assault—& telegram from Nelson states that a man named Brucnlng on Saturday was fined {0a for assaulting an Assyrian hawker. Defendant said bo was provoked by an Insult offered by the Assyrian.

Pbesbyterun Churoh. — Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church yesterday, and the Church was tastefully decorated with fruits and flowers for the occasion. The Rev G B Inglia preached appropriate sermons*

Business Ektbbprisb —Mr Albert Cram,oftha Ashbarton brick and tile works, baa imported from America a machine for the manufacture of flower pots. The machine has arrived at Lyfcel ton, and may be expected here in a few days. We trust Mr Orom will meet with the success he deserves for his enterprise.

The Eospita&—Yesterday afternoon the members of the Vfesleyan choir, nnder the leadership of Mr tJndrlil, gave $ concert in the Hospital, which seemed to be greatly appreciated by the inmates of the Institution. The programme consisted of two hymns from Sankey's collection by Hie choir, and solos by Misses MoKinney, Jones, Alcorn, M Jot.es, and Collins, and Moßsrs Manchester and Carson.

Bbiimuno bum Tas#an—Major Steward, MIR, left Ashbtmon pn Saturday p$ route for Fairlie, for th« puypoae of ascertaining, with Us C W Hursbhouae, of the Department) of Bonds and Bridges, the tangibility of bridging the Tasman, thus effeo'ting an estimated saving of thirty milea batweoa Fairlie and Mount Cook. It will be remembered that both gentlemen made an attempt) to carry out these investigations on March 25th, but were stopped by the floods.

The Tbnth Gonsignmbms of goods (this eeaeon'e) justi landed by Messrs Oatea, Lowry »Hcl ( 0o include novelties quite new to Aahbortoe. Among the latest in cycling clips are the 'Klipwell.' * Griptite/ and * Holdfast,' also new style* [a cycling ponohoß, This firm la noted for always being up to date with the Home market, and their stools is the largest aod most vailed In the oolouy A Novehjt—The Khaki bSayole is now being fisted with the two-speed gear hu,b, which not only gives free wheel, but hag the additional advantage of allowing the rider to change hia gear ftb will from a low to a higher gear whilst riding, and can be in epeoted at Best nod Towns'*, $auad»r*' Standing

The Matobali;—ln response to a largely f signed requisition the Mayor, Me WE ColHne, anooanoei that he contents to he j nominated for another term of cfSae I

The Price oir Ftotra—Saturday's price Hat, issued by the New Zealand Flour Millers' Co-operative Association {Ltd} shows another rUo of 1Q« for floar, the prioe hoing now £9. Bran has advanced from £3 15s to £4. Oatmeal and pollard remain the same.

The Eoyali Bioscope Company—Mr E H Sbovenson and the Royal Bioscope Company appear at the OJdfelloW Hall tonight. Judging from reports, the entertainment provided Is novel and interesting to a degree. The Bioscope, by means of which Mr Stevenson exhibits a splendid selection of animated pictures and photographic studies, alone cost £450 and the selection of piatures embraces entirely new subjects. Most of the filma are entirely new to New Zealand, one in particular, which displays the pautoraine of 'Cinderella,' taking 20 minutes to ran through the machine, cost Mr Stevenson £45, The whole entertainment U »pnlren of »s being bright, pleasing, and free from vulgarity,

Shootikg Match —The following have been aeleoted as a t«m to represent the Ashburton Rifles to fire for the Golf Olub trophy, on Thursday next, April 18, at 2 pm, against the Ashbnrton Guards; seven •hots at each range, 30Oyda and 500 yds; blue' uniform, without bait and aide arms, Martini Henry riflsa:—Lieutenant Clarke, Sergeanfc Willrre, Corporals Baker and Leiteh, Privates Hodgson, McElrea, Potter, Smltheram, Nicholl, Clayton, W Bright, Parsons, and Hllgrove.

BowiiET's Waxworks —On Saturday evening next Row ley's Waxworks and Lon don Company will open a short season in the Oddfellows' Hall, Aehburton. Southern exohangesspeak very highly of this Company, special mention being made of the lifelike appearance of the figures, whioh inolude war celebrities, and noted English politicians, as well as the King and Qaeen, The vaudeville portion of the entertainment is alao highly spoken of.

Trotting on7B~There is now on view in Mr JVde Beer's window inEiat Street, the ladies' bracelet to be competed for at the Trotting dab's meeting on the 24^h April. The bracelet Is a fine example of the jeweller's art, the centre piece being an unusually fine opal, set in pearls, with a row of pearls on each side. The article reflects great credit on Mr Da Beer'd establishment,

Salvation Abmv —The annual harvest thanksgiving services of the Salvation Army were held in the Barracks yesterday, Staff Captain and Mrs Bishop, of Chrietchurch, conducting, Large attendance* were present la the morning and aftettiiea, ard at night the Barracks were full. Special addresses were delivered by the visitors and Lieutenant Aker. The solos sung by Mrs Bishop we> • appreciated, also the accompaniments playc d by the Staff Captain on the Italian harp and English oonoertina* The local choir (25 strong), rendered a number of nioe harvest company songs. *Ba in Time, 1 which was •ung in the evening service, was specially well received by the listeners, Tonight another masioal programme will be rendered, o>>niineacrag at 8 pm, Tomorrow at 6p m a tea meeting will be held, followed by tl c final magical evening.

A New DgpABUORB-Tc-morrow (Tuae day) Mr Kerr, representing Strange and Company's Tailoring Department, will pay a business visit to Ashburton, and wilt be in attendance at Strange and Company's Sam ple Rooms (Mr Sandrey's) from 11 a.m. to take orders for suits and single garments. Mr Kerv has been for upwards of twenty years in Strange and Company* employ, and is acknowledged to be a cutter of exceptional ability. The opportunity thus afforded to Ashburton residents to secure suoh suits, &o:, as Strange and Co turn out, and ao city prices, moreover, is surely too tempting to be passed by, and we fully anticipate that Mr Korr will be kept busily engaged in booking orders tomorrow. On Saturday, 19th ioau, Mr Kerr will return to Ashburton t? " fit 00," and alto to receive more orders. Strange and Company's tailor ing is » Httlfl out of the common run, and while their suits, &j, are very smartly out I and beautifully fioished, their prices are quite moderate.—(Advt) .

Inteboeung Eability—Rudge Whitworth cyoies are constructed throughout on the principle of absolute iachangeability, thus in ease of accident any part oan be obtained and rslied upon to &b into ifce plaoe without difficulty or alteration of any kind. In* upeotion invited, R D Johnston, agent, Buroesfc street.' Consumers of Fletcher Bros* well known brands of teas will see by the above firm's new advertisement that In their next ten competition they have decided to give a prize to everjoae wbo sencU in over 30 coupons. First prizs, handsome dock aod broDsa or band paiuted dinner seb

WAKANUI.

Our correspondent writes as under :— The third sesßion of the Pride of Wakanui Lodge, lOGT, held its fortnightly meeting in the Wakanui school on Tuesday evening, April l>t. The Lodge was presided over by Bro Gorbett, CT, who opened with an ode and the usual ceremonies. The Lodge Deputy read a communication informing the Lodgs of the forthcoming temperance speakers, who may be expected between Jane and November. Sister Dalton and Bro Bafiteriok reported the result of the District meeting. Brrs Frompton and Cor sett were responsible for the drawing up of next quarter's syllabus* The usual routine business being gone through, harmony was contributed by the members. The Ledge was then closed in due form bf Bro Corbett, OT.

The weather is ttiU threatening, and gives l}tt)e hope of gny more summer; The threshing mills have been at ft standstill for some time | but when the weather does brighten, at the old saying goes, they make bay while the sun shins?, and truly earn their daily bread, No doubt clover and grass seed will fetoh a good prioe, and also pota toes. It is a sad sight to see the outstanding stocks in a rotting condition, aad even the stacks are a bright green tint on the south west sidf. Root crops suoh as turnips, rape and mangolds have been highly favoured, The wet weather has suppressed the blight, and thus success has reigned supreme,

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—ByEleotrio Telegraph—Copyright

OHI4P POSTAGE JN QHINA. LwdcW, April $ Ths Marlthflo Oagtaras have established, three hundred post offices In Chii^a. The postage fop a half onnoe Jetter fchroaglxaqt; Qhina has been $*ed at v, fa.Btb.ing. &REAT FIRE IN AMERICA, Nbw York, April 5 A fire at Atlantic City, New Jersey, destroyed three blocks, including twelve I hotels. The damage amounts to a j^lllfon dollargi BRITISH SKPELBWfENU, MEIiBODBNK, April 3 la refcarn for placing the land in the ! New Hebrides ab the disposal of the Commonwealth, Mr Barton has agreed to pay Messrs Bnrns and Philp £2400," in addition to tho present subsidy for the contract for conveying mails to the Nenr Hebrides, to enable the company to sub stitute white for black labour. The steamers will extend the service to the other islands. AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN, It is possible that Mr Barton will return from the Coronation via Japan. The Japanese poyernmen.t hw jwkpd him i to meet it and disonss matter's of matpfct interest to Australia and J, span.' " '' ym BRISBANE OUTRAGE, The body of the girl Omeciee, who was outraged aud stabbed in Ithaca, a Brisbane suburb, vms fonnd on the roadside. sShe \ had goue on an errand an hour previously. There were signs of a fierce struggle, bat there, is no trace of the mo.rder§r,

The Frozen Meat Trade.

ADDRESS BY MR D. THOMAS,

There was a good attendance of farmers, agriculturists, and others at the Arcade on Saturday, to hear Mr 1) Thomas's views oa the fnzm meat trade. Among those present were Messrs Gilbert Anderson and F Way month, representing the two Ohristohuroh Companies. The meeting wa<§ held under the auiipioes of the Farmers' Union, which body had invited Mr Thomas te deliver an address on the frozen meat question. Mr John Studholme, joor, was voted to the chair, and iv opening the proceedings said that he thought some members of the Farmers' Union wished to explain the position the farmers had taken on this queiMoa. At a meeting of the Executive of the North Canterbury branch of tjjle Farmers' Union, the following resolutions had been carried:—(l) That the present system of disposal of New Zealand frozen matton and iamb in Eng and, by a number of different; consignees competing against eaah other is very prejudicial to the interests of the pro ducers. (2) That some form of 00-aperative combination of fciose interested in bhe frozen meat tra'fe, whereby the absolute control of the sale of the whole output ol New Zealand shall ba vested in one Company or Board is essential for the realisation of tne fullintrin sio value of our produce. (3) That) all branches of the Farmers' Union throughout New Zealand be invited to oall meetings, to consider thia question as early at possible, so that ths Wellington Conference may be enabled to take ap the matter, and approach the Government for enabling legislation, if they think it> advisable te do so. A resolution had also been passed prac. ticftlly to the eff ot that the present system was not a good one ; oa the contrary it was a very bad one. As they all knew, Mr Thomas had been to England, and aiooe his return, it had been considered wise for him to explain what remedy he could suggest for placing the trade in a better position. One thing the speaker wished to impress on the minds of those present was, that the Far mers' Onion in uo way c >mmitted itself for or against any scheme. They reserved their decision until hearing the address. They were muoh obliged to Mr Thomas for the trouble he had taken in the matter, At the close, Mr Thomas wauld be glad to answer any question*l, bat it ws« not proposed to call for any vote.

LAn apology was tendered for Mr Leadley, who was unavoidably absent from I the meeting.

The Chairman read t, letter from Mr Geo. Jameson, regretting his inability to be present, and itiatiog that, he believed the trade would be productive of ranch more good if it were more concentrated. Hefurther suggested that the Australian Commonwealth, New Zaaland, and Canada, should combine and erect a large building in a central position in London, which should be con nected by rail with the docks. Suoh a building would be a good advertisement for the colonies, and buyers would know exaotly where to go for colonial products, The sellers would be under one roof, where they oould meet eaoh morning, and fix the prioe for the day. Tho produoe oould ba delivered in better condition with a railway siding than now, and at! less expense. Freezing chambers could be oonstruotod on the most modern principles. It would nob be a hard matter to tied funds for the building, and the dues would give handsome returns 00 the capital expended.

Mr (Thomas said that the importance of the frczan meat trade to toe colony mask be bis exouse for troubling them. No one was mor» alive than himself to the difficulties in the way of improving the trade, bat he was oonvinoed that if the producers com 1 bioed for the purpose of protecting their own interests, those would at onca disappear to the great benefit of colony generally. Prfor to going Home he had been under the impression that our frozen meat, as displayed at Smithfisld, was always unsightly, dark coloured, moißt, and sweaty, and that these defects had militated against » fair prioe being obtained for it. When he visited SmithnVld he had fonnd that this was not the case, but that New Zealand meat compared favourably with anything there exhibited—in fact, that the New Zaaland carcases exhibited were better gob up than either the English, the Australian, j or the Argentine meat. They had the appearance at not having been killed more than three days, and were bright and olean, ! It was In its frozen state, but he had seen some in the batchers' shops which had been thoroughly thawed, and was a credit to the oolony. Canterbury mutton was, be considered, fully equal if cob tuperlor to the best quality of Home killed meati He intended importing some top English mutten and some New Zealand mutton that had I been Home and back, and pat the Home mutton in competion with the latter. Though Canterbury mutton was superior to anything soid in England, the prioa wag fully half lets than what English mut* ton fetched; He had asked a sales* man at Home why New Zealand mutton did not fetoh better prioei», He had not answered the question, but could have done so if he had liked. The question they had to answer was, why, finding our mutton and lamb was of such a superior quality, and being of opinion that an unlimited marked exists for it in England an i elsewhere, they got so little for iti The answer was not far to seek, The producer, backed up by the freezing aad the shipping companies, en« deavoured to send nothing bqt extra prime quality goods t« tba English market, and to. deliver them in the best possible condition, But no sooner did the meat land in London than tt was dumped down to be scrambled for by middlemen, eaoh one of whom tried to make as nwoh as possible out of ihe unfortunate New Zaaland producer. If one half of the energy and business ability shown in the prod notice of our mutton had been displayed in the; disposal of It, the industry would not be in $he parlous fixate it is, today. There wat, to his mind, only on.egu.re for unsatisfactory state of thing*—-the compulsory piaojng of our f rogsn. meat into one channel for disposal in England or ejsewhefe, tifee snultipHoity of selling brokers betajg afc the root of the evil. Mr Thomas than read two letters which he had written shortly after his return from England (which were published in tnii papers) and which dealt with his propoialsi for improved methods of dealing with our frozen meat at Hornet He al*o read an extract from a recent report of the Now Zealand Produce Commissioner in London— Mr H D Cameron—in which i\ Stated that it was no uoc^tni^ftn'ihjng for New Zealand wte^'to be placed in the hands of ige'nia whose personal interests were at variance wibh those of the producers. Mr Thomas showed by an extract from British Refrigeration- how things were managed bg the meat producers of the Argentine, who from the beginning to the dlreot control of t^air iqeat. [these extracts, he pointed out, Bojpp6r,.ted. his view of tbQ c»»e as regards the disposal of our meity \a any combination decided u_pon al) must ioin, and the roeai njuat fe,e in qnft ha.n,d fqr dispose,!, 'yhe manager in. London fa* the Qomlftinatio.n then be to a position to fi? the prioa at which the meat was to be sold, and oould prevent other mutton being sold as the New Zealand article, which would bo isolated and sold on its own merits, producing a muoh better net result than under the haphszird way now in vogqa. tFfae manager woujd. alao be abfc to regulate ghipaspifei—thera #oo,l<i bet 00 stale mutter or lamb and no glub on the market. He was quite aware of the vast regeu^eg of the Argentine Republic, but) ha was also aware pf the immense markets in the world which oould consume more mutton than New SSsaland was ever likely to produce-»mar« kets which were only waiting to be openod up when lb was somebody's business to attend to them. One of these markets was Germany, a country that would jump at a reciprocity treaty with New Zealand, B4r Seddon would not, he thought, hava rrmah difficulty in making a simitar treaty with the United St»tes, and i( that were done that country oould take more meat at rernmuir' ative rates than the ooiony qoqld hope to produce. India, .]f»p»o, China, Gape Colony, Fraaqe, Austria fpain ssnd Switjpriand wer» also other possible markets. He suggested 3 qiethods of combination—^} The formation of a Qompaoy to buy the whole output) of frosisn meat at a specific price for a definite pariod. (2) A co-operative association of producer* banded together for the beat ftdvan advantage of every oontribnting member. (3) Tho combination of all frozen moat eoim-j panics in N Z working under a Eoarci in London, Any ot thege schemes 1 dould be adopted wi^i great |ivantia|B to'th'e colony

as the meat would be disposed of to the bern-Sb of the producer. The difficulty would be to keep the meat in one ohanneli (There were men in the colony who, for fanaied reasons or for private gain, would ship their meat) outside the proposed channel, and thus destroy any good that had been effected* To get over this a Compulsory Enabling Ell would be naoeatary. He «aa aware that there were a great) many who would obj?ot to ba foroeri to do anything—he did not like in himself—bub when the welfare of the whole community was at stake they roust give way to the majoity, Uuleaa some (men measures as those suggested were adopted, New Zealand wosld not be able to ship frozen mutton ab the price obtainable in LondoDi The low prioe was caused by the iooteased output) of Argentine meat, and our want of energy in keeping the markets properly open* Producers should be tip and doing, and should not longer nagleob this important matter. (Applause). In closing ha invited criticism of tiis remarks

Daring the coins of his address Mr Thomas read letters that had appeared la the Lyttelton Times oa the 15th January and 3rd February, the latter being one in reply to Mr Mitobel!, of Invercargill. An ex'raot was also read from the same paper from a letter written to Mr John Holmes, of Wellington, by a gentleman from Lancaster, in which Certain frauds in the trade were exposed, especially in regard to tendering. In one case it was distinctly stated on the tender form that the mutton must be New Zealand, bat the contractor had supplied River Plate. The writer alto suggested fchab exporters should brand the moat distinctly, Mr J C N Grigg enquired if the scheme wore f oasible, why was ib nob done long ape in connection with the wool trade. Ib oould easily be done in wool as that producb could be held longer. The other was & perishable product)* He oould nob see hew, by combination, and holding np email quantities, any great advantage would be goined* As a matter of fact, the market is virtually unlimited, and was ten times greater than the production that found its way there. Outside the matter of havlog

too many agents to sell, the aohsme was a piraotioal one. What happened to the batter trade in Canada ia happening today in connection with the froeen meat trade; Less mutton, to hia mind, was thipped on ownara' account. The dairy factories would rather tnke the nimbla sixpence and send the batter away; He thought that buy«ra

would have bo come out here, where there

was good competition! He hoped be would nob be ia a company bhab would forae ohe farmers bo sell to one. Regarding the Compulsory Enabling Bill suggested he (Mr Grlgg) bad never heard of such a Bill going to a House in bis life. In reply bo Mr W X Lill, Mr Thomas said that the Argentina was longing to get a good price for its mfibbun* Mr Grigg said that there ware three combinations in South America, Notwith standing this oould Mr Thomas tell him what was the price of a 601b wether when landed in England. Mr Thoman said that frczeu mutton when

ttooing under the bond gob up to 4d and 4§d per ib. When the mutton haded tn London ib dropped down to 2|d ( Id further reply to Mr Lul, Mr Thomas oould nob say whethor the farmer would get as much for his live sheep* Mr Grigg aaid that 8s was the prioe obtained for a 60lb Argentina wether. So mnoh for the combination. Now it wae<s£d, and with «ll their combinations they oould nob get) near us.

Regarding fchefqueitlon put by Mr Lill, Mr Thomas remarked ib had nothing bo do with bis scheme. They only proposed to buy New Zealand mutton ab the ship's side, guaranteeing to give a higher price than was got on an average for the last five years, and also giving a guarantee to buy their meat for a stated period Mr LUI asked Mr Thomas if he knew any good to come from a monoply,

Mr Thomae said that if thli proposal was a monopoly, why cod go on co-operative lines and manage their own frozen meat trade, and! a« an instance of the benefit) to be derived from such ft scheme, he «aid that no eeener bad Argentine mutton gone into other ohanoeli In London than the Argentine combination, the prioet had come down, and New Zealand mntton aUo had oome down*

S)he Chairman introduced Mr Gilbert Anderson, who laid that he had received a letter oi invitation to be present, which he was pleased to re«pond to.' The develop ment of the Iroasin meat trade had d«ne ft deal of good for Canterbury. He was Home at the same time as Mr Xhomts, and the latter had drawn attention to a weak spot— the large number of small consignees, The farmer did not want to be shut oat of his own matket. He thought at one time that the trade was not going to last. Previously, in times gone by, the farmers were not so wall off as they are now. (Mr Thsmac : That's right.) There were more bill* floating about. (Mr Thomas: X know it.) If, at the start, assistance had baen given to the agents that were buying the trade would have prospered. What had happened? Prices had broken down, 200 carcase* thrown on the London market had brought the prices down. As a matter of faqo, the trade requires studying, and it was no use unless something was done to pueii the trade, It was the email odd consignments that broke down the whole maikat. He held different! views regarding River Plate mutton than I had boon expressed that day, and Mr , Thomas hid not onnvinoed htm that they ought) to have one Company. Supposing the representatives of the three booth American Companies met and said what tht price should be, what would happen to the Canterbury mutton already shipped? Mr Anderson then briefly explained the working of the 'Smilufisld mar* ket, whioh was attended by men who were selling and buying together, and how oould jjustiaa be obtained under such unsatis factory conditions. He then gave a short list of the prioei tee frozen mutton as, follows ;■—For the four years ending 1901 the ppa&s obtained were, 3 3-IOcJ, 3d, 2 883, and *2Jd; Australian 2 93d, 3.35 d, 2 76dj North Island pricey vwsre—3.4sd, 3.63 d, 3,17 d, and 2,Q&d 3 Canterbury, 4d, 3.91 d, 3,73 d, a.6ldi Upon this showing, he did. not think that they should mak« one common pool for New Zealand; C&ttfcerbury and the meat companies were two different parts of the system. Rive? Plate mutfcbn was steadily imnrovtog, mi Sir Montagu Nelson had %dm,itted that River Plate was 1 »s at North tahnd mutton, BTe p&rtly %gr«ed with Mr Gris# In regard to the market, They were deiling in * perishable product and if they hold it, they would got lesa, perhaps; What waawnntotj,. was the combination Mr ipbtifqa^ spake of, but it should be formulated] on easier lines. The two CftaterWry Companies tafco tha sheep, alass, kill, fresS3 a ' and grad« them, also pay the railage and freight, "Jfbere was no other place in the world where that was done* But tfeiesf sHania go fnrtber yet; If the farmers t©»k the risk of the market, they ahtuUd «k the Companies to Bell the meat tor thorn in London, and he believed the tirade would be developed far better; Only agents can work in London and compare prices, etc, and if that wero- done, the farmers would get better prices: There was no doubt that the London batcher* often sold Rlvor Plate mutton m prime Canter* bury. They wer« fortunate in having two Gosjftp»ni»B ;if the farmer did not like ane he oould take, the other. He oould cay that n,o monopoly ever auaoeeded. Canterbury j sent away more than half the meat taut was exported from New Zealand. iTb« orux 0! ■ the whole bu»ineaa was j» the insane com petition which eQsuett, and If the trade was to prosper it mu«t be conducted in » way coaduoive to Its welfare.

Mr Thnmas was glad that hii views had been backed op by an expert, Mr LiU'a remarks were like drawing a red rag aoroas, the 1r»il. Oerbala powers would have to he delegated to bhos^ in aufcho?ifcy; (Dhe produob waa nob bought fr.e»ty, beoaaie it waa subject to great a^usen, and he trusted aomethlag vyauM oonaeoutof the aaggestioDß. Q^.t'oe potion of Mr Lill a hearty vote of ; thanks was aooorded Mr Utoanaß for h(a ad^reoH. I Votps of thanks wore also passed to DCeisre Andereosk aad Way mouth for attending the meeting, on ihe motion of Mr Harding, after whioh the proceedings" teraiaatadi !

The Coronation.

Wklmnoton, April 7 It is understood that the command of the Coronation Contingent will be offered to Colonel Porter, now commanding the Seventh New Zaaland Contingent in South Africa.

CRICKET.

United Press Aisooiabioo—By BUotrlo Telegraph—•OooyHßhb Received April 7,1038 in) Mobabt, April 7 In bhe match for the Premiership of Southern Tasmania, the Break o 1 Day team •cored 911 in the first innings, Bady making 666, * *

Wakanui Road Board.

The Wakntrai Road Board met on , Saturday^ Present—MadSrßOWliMdlty r (Chairman), Jaoes Allen, WT Doit, i Cameron, and P Jones. I CORRESPONDENCE 3 Correspondence was received and dealt i wlthae under :— > From the Sydenham Boroagh Council J re compilation of valuation rolls.-rltj wai * decided to supply the information asked ' for. ; . : ■ ■ ■ * From the County OonnoU re Small , Birds' Conference,—Received. , The Chairman reported on what] wag done. s From Department of land and Survey, s asking how the thirds and fourths had t been expended,--The Clerk had replied b to the letter* 1 MAINTENANCE OS 1 ROADS * A letter was received from the Hsmp stesd Town Board re maintenance of * toada in the two districts, and the matter ( was considered In Committee. , It was decided to refer the Hampitead j Town Board to the Wakanoi Road Boatd'i k letter of January 4th. r accidmpe nrsußANes i The Board's solicitor wrote giving an i opinion as to (he Accident policy obtained by the Board: Thu policy did nob oovet p contractors, as the Board wished. 1 It was decided b write to the Ocean ' Accident and Gnaramee Corporation, I informing them that the Board was not* j satisfied with the wording of the polloy* , and asking if the Corporation would maker . an alteration, J ! »BAVEL PH. The Clerk reported that nothing nor* I had been heard from Mr G M W«tsot», k Solicitor, on this subject, XBALIH. 9 The Health Officer wrote re Infectloiw ' diseases,—Received, j BKDDOX TESTIMONIAL A communication from the Seidoa , Testimonial Committee was received. I OVERSEERS BBPORT. i The overseer's report dealt with damage caused by the recent) floods. A. botch of i Calif omit d thistles needed attention. I Several roads needed shingling. The report was adopted. 1 DAMAGE TO A ROAD I The Clerk was instructed to inform tfw I Connty Council of damage done to a road by a race being blocked, and to enclose . the amount paid by the Board for repairs. , ANNtTAi MEETING, j It was decided to hold the annual , meeting of the Board on May 3rd, after the ordinary meeting, und the ratepayers" ■ meeting at 1,30 p.m on the same day. RESERVES. It was decided to call for tenders for 1 leasing certain reserves, to be In by next meeting. \ SHINGLING It was decided to have several roatfe , shingled in the district, the work to be passed by the overseer. ROAD MAKING. It was deeeded to ask the Upper Ash burton Road Board and the Longbeacb Road Board if they were prepared to lease out their road making machine, and If so, on what terms. WAKAKUI CREEK. It was decided to call the attention of the Wakaoni Rivet Board to the damage caused by the river during the recent fioods. REPAIRS. Some minor repairs to roads were authori»ed. PAY SHEET. Aoaounta amounting to £17 6s were. passed for payment, and the BoareH adjourned.

Lament for Cecil Rhodes.

Mourn, Britain.; mourn! A noble son lies dead! No peer had he in all your vast domain. No rival 'mong your living sons romainß. A brilliant star haß set. Death! Could'st thou not forget To strike so soon ? Alas! From earth has fled A great strong soul; a Briton staunch and true; Far, far above his fellows, for he knew The secret of nobility Lies not in mere ability To plan, to grasp, to find With wide and ardent mind, But in large loving heart No tfcomrhfc of self Possessed him; rich, he prized aot pelf Save as a means throughout the world to spread Old England's Freedom, Justice and Fairplay; To see in lands where'er her sons have led Humanity and Righteousness bear sway f

Weep, England, weep; and weepitig sound his knell Who gave him birth. South Africa " His life" How well he loved her amid toil and steife ,■.'■■•. : <■:•■■ Rhodesian homes will tell Eedeemed from fitter woe By his firm courage with the savage foe! And now, his corpse will rest in that fair land. Where black and white together weeping stand, To ratify his Peace. He will not see the harvest ol increase He sowed in storm; but all his Friend* will know His last words left a legacy below, "So little done, so much to do." Work on Brave hearts, wise heads, right ready hands upon His ineompleted task. Work on! Work on!

In grateful songs Olion heart we raise 1 Thy monument of honour, love, and praise In life distrust, oft blame his share,- From those best served; without a care He bore it, with undaunted eye Detecting dark conspiracy. Eebuffed deceit, with straight right- handed blows, Yet pitied and forgave his cunning foes t He still raight win them to hia wise design Should Englishmen and Boer both com" bine ?<> mak& their country beautiful and free: *Tis hard from hatred winning " Charity."' God grant she comes both races to unite 1 l n <JP e ? r€at nation of unfailing might. In Brotherhood supreme! then, <notitt vain Our Hero lived, and dying, lives again! I —Sara Haupjhu

aHEi ASEBURTON GtTAfiD.IAH : MONDAY, APBIL 7, 1902



■ T. PBRRTMAU FUR SALE. B. ISVEBTMBNT SHARES. FOUR Shares in the Ashbnrton Permanent BalMlns and Investment 'Society; Slab i*>Boe. Paid up to April, '1903. Price-£42. Apply VFERRIMAN FOB BALE, GumoroK Street, ABhburton, AN Weal Home for ft man of nmdprate means, beinjj Town Section 700, Upon wbioh i« erected a House of 7 rwtns, with evwy modern convenience, Pfotnpb tespecMoo ia invited, aa an ndverMaeinont W»Mld f *I 1 to do the property justice, Fall particulars nn application to F FKRftIMAN. "Land m<\ Estate Agent, Earolock Street, Aahbarton FOB SALE Clarke Street and Allen's Koad, Allefitonl I AM instrn'o^d to sell that very desir able rswidenoe containing 6 roomB t pantry »ncs porch, together with oneaora nod fen porches of l»cd situated bb above. The property is for immediate gale, and At the prioa asked should oommfttid a ready »ale. , ,  Fall parbicolaea may be had on appli myimt° FFERRIMAN, Land «.ad Estate Agent Havelook Btreeti. FOR SALE I HAVE received instructions from Mrs Hardley, 8«or. to sell her property fronting on the East) Belft and Eton Street, aompritmg on© sere and forty perches of land, upon which is erected dwelling house •ontainlng Dining room 18 x 16, bitting Room, 4 Bedrooms, Bathroom, Ktrohen and Btallery: two italic Sbabl© and Fowlhonse. The property Is well eopplied wfch water from a wiidnslH »nd tank. Barb of the land li I»id out In g«dan and orchard. Full parfclonlars on application to f FBRRTMAN Land m& Estate Agent, Havelook Street FOE SALE Farm of 121 Acres iltaatid »t Fiemiagtioa IHAVS received instructions to sell a very convenient) farm aita&ted aa above, with all the Usual farm improvements. This'property on account of sne owner having purchased a larger farm Is for imme diate vale sad oooapation, and is admirably kdaoted lor a dairy farm. Father Lmd and Estate Agent' • H&veiook Stre'ett BUSINESS NOTIOBg THOMAS YGUNO, BOQTMAKSR, Tawobkd St&eet, HAS Sutt Received a line of Ladies" Boati American Gloss Kid Legleb and Bttttoa Boets for the Winter, also Goloahes, Frieeji moderate, Bospokn work mi Repairs promptly uttended to. . A* l^OOY^We~beg"io apologise to any customers who were unable to gnl #<arv«'l owing to ornsh, and tar their benefit W« will rjoutinue (he sule for a few <Sa.ya longer. -Pbabos's Brap^ry Sale, TRIAD JPrlseo C3owti»©tlt>on. ATEDNW'EIMAERBLPZNSYTNDOHAL. niHB abo»« letter" form 6vo words. Ou 1 the 20th APRIL the cnvelopaß marked • Benteno* * will be opsned, and the sender of the finb correct sentence opened will receive Two GtjiseAß. To otoee 20th APRIL. conditions. All bhftt 1« neoeaßary to enter for Ibis oompatlfaloo ts to write oat the words aud coat'came {enotoelng <* receipt for 6«, or morfl. torn any T»iad . advertißer* aa psr Urt below, to "The Manager of the Tbiad, Dunedlo' Oomp«tl tors maf send as m»ny soltttlons aa they please, provided eaoh complies with above conditions For * Puzfl©' for young people, sea in&a A|ax Washing Powders Aagfe N.Z. Oyola Co. Aaoklaad Forwarding and Parcels Delivery Agency Bennaline Bread—bH Bakers Book Gilt Tea, all grocers Brloslay and Oo.'b Ranges Btng, Harris k 00, Arrow Brand Boota CJumroeroial Btotal, T N Grange Oope'n Cigarettes and lob&ooo OBrti«,F, Jeweller Dtixtlop Tyres Giwnea Satscee, Pioklea, Vinegar, etc Gatee, H A, Moiio aollßr Gregg and Co, W, Coffee, Starch, eto Bayward's Pickles and Sauces Jones, H M, Triad Agent Kirkpatrick, 8, and Co, X Jaroe Lane's Oreoeoted Emulsion JLoaaby's Wahoo, Koolibab, Benjamin Gnm, and Cinnamon Care Metldins, G, s Ironmonger N.Z. Ototbing Jftctory Ne3*oo« i*loate and Go's Tea Orr, A, Draper Sanderson 1* Scotch Whisny Spring Blossom Tea Suratura Tea fEeed a»d Co Corn Onre IToaking's Liaeoed EamSaloti Sykes 3 Oura Ooagh Trinity College EsaminatioQs Wftltke'i Soap WilliTbree OasfclssOißarattes and Tobaooo yyoodrows' Hate, Goliin & 00., Agenfco FIKBT Prizfi Harna and B^oon—Roll Buoon 7|l by roll or 8d per Ib, Maeoo'a ifjhryatalls for Lemonadp, per bottle la • Lime Jatco* P ar bottle la } Lemon i Hqaaeh, per botole U ', Baspberry Syrup, per , bottle. Is 34; Kaspberry Vinegar, per hottie, la M. AH kiod> Peek, trean'a, BnKlish Biscuifcß Jn a wok. Highest prices give* for Dairy Pfoiince-a& John Oeb &_Co___ . — MAPON'S Sctow Top Fruio Jara- -1 Pint 4» 9d, Qiwf 6-< 6d, | gallon 6* 91, per dozen. Glass Jelly Jars, with tin Hd, 2s 6d, 3s 6d, and 4« 6d per doaen. Fceremse Sugar, 14s 6i per 701b bag, 8* 0d per 401b bag, 12» per fitflb bag—at Josh* Orß' «fe Oo- _! ._-___ CTTO . "fiELi \C\ WAjWTKD in four vreeks— gbOUU Gaps and Sancera 4s 6d pec Aossan, Afternoon China Tea Sets 2s 6d, ©toner Seta from 12a 6d, China Caps and fiaocfflffs from 6s pecdoaea. —Cabsow.& 00. C* —7SsOK >3 Stocktaking fi»le of English China aad Earthenware, American Glass »ud H»rdware, Sheffisld tytflUaj wd ''Bleßtroplaiie, Bicycles, Braanware*, »cd Japao«a® Gopda, h »ow onj B'TSSif Loaders irom4Ss« •fwn»nltioo from 10a per IOH Oarondge PelMi, ,Olea O l« R Rorl ß ,Kio. ««b« « tare and for purchase.—oAßa6S & U> HONEY TINS (wiih pateu* lids) to hold fifths, atls 9d each, or l«iper'dC«Uk j We »«)«-h Bay« 8 of Prime Howy «nd ■R<.««iwii_ in A'.y qaantity. B(»9t English ¥**7m "wleW p!r cw f ,£lo lOaper ton, B<rb wire Its .par fjwt • Sheep Ne(.Mnp,_3!c wide, Ountre tSt-raa^, JS.J per yard by Ooil— J'tEioHEU Bros, Cash -Kspply S6ore" jsiaoke I^ow Venwa



BUBINBBB NOTICES J | GUNS. GUNS. GUNS. | ¥ UST LANDED.—SingIe and Doable Bsrrel Breech Loading; A real ?! Good F,B. at 45a, i D.B. from 45s upwards. AMMUNITION TO SUIT ALL CARTRIDGES, Including Eley'a Universal and Biae. Nobel's Ballistite, Smokeless. NEW OLUB, NBWRIVAL. Fowder, Shot, Gaps, Loading Implements, Gun Oases, Cleaning Bods, &o, LAMPS. AND LAMP WARE* . Library or Diuiug Woom from 27s 6d to §§3; Table from 2a 6d to 30a; Call »nd in-peot thp » New Miller " Hand Lamps from Is. L&M.P GLASSES AND WIOK.B OF ALL KINDS. OAUPB'NT Bfi'S. TOOLS Of all Descriptions at Beduced Prices. Greatest variety and cheapest in AehbarfcoD. RAKOKS & REGISTER GRATIS TO SUIT THE TIMES; GL MkSdINS, Tbe Pcople'i Ironmonger, Barnetfc Siisreet, Opposite Arcade j J. WILS O N " DIRECT 'IMPORTER OF ARTISTIO WALL PAPERS. A Competent Set of Tradeßmen kept for Houso Painting and Decorating in all it* Branches, for Town and Qountr?, I Have a Well Aonorted Stock of MIX ED PAINTS Jo Large or Small Quantities; also Painb Brushes White J>md Linseed Oils (Raw or Boiled Sorim Window Glaea Fancy Glass Turpetttino Benzine Methylated Spirits Artists' Material Beautiful MIRROR GLASS ia large sheets, can be oat^to any>lze HARDLEY BROS., PLUMBEBS, IKONMO2SGEKS, AISD TINSMITH Oar Season's Stock o! GUNS, CARTRIDGES, AND GUN FITTINGS Ie to Hand; and Out GUNSMITHING, BNGINBIRING, and BRAIZING DIPARTMENT, la in tha Hands of« OsrtlSoated Engineer, therefore all work will be curried oub oa latest scientific lines, And guaranteed We hold a large stock of WINDMILLS, TANKS, B4THS, FOBOB and LIFtD I'VMm, SINKS, LAVATORY BASINS, HIGH PRESSURE BOILERS, Ac, and oiftkl HOT and COLD WATER *nd SANITARY WORK « Specialty SPOUTING. RIDGING, md, all da?»e» of Tin and Iron Goods Manafaofinred, Ftps Wells Driven, Pumps, Hydrahllc Rams, Wiodmilh and Water Wheels fixed and supplied. A Staff of Competent Workmen always available for all classes of Plumbing Work in any pub of the oouoty. Telephone 82] HARDIjJiI X JBROS. PLUMBERS and SANITARY ENGINEERS, EAST STBKET mmmmmmmm^mmtmmmmmmmimmmmmemmmmmmammmmmmmmmmmmmmimmmmmmmmmmtmm^mmmmmi^m t mm m i n 11001. i AUTUMN AND I *1S«i l*"Tj WINTER NOVELTIES. New Uoods in all Departments Beautiful Selectioa of NEW MANTLES, JACKETS, CAPES, SEAL JACKETS, SILK BLOUSES, FURS, GLOVES, and DRESS MATERIALS, LAOE COLLARS, SIL& SKIRTS, to, T\T>"L*C!C!II/r A TTTXTO giving every saTisfao- DKiibo Mi A JdJUN iX TION IN FIT, STYLE, and PRICE HIGH-GLASS TAILORING Perfect Fit;, Good Workmanship, Prices Very Moderate. ANDREW ORR. . IT WILL PAY YOU IT """hSb bbcome To Try Oiar fi ll id 0 IlirHki °K ly 4S IT STANDS IN YOUR T-POT. IJ w SM§ A - Kb a Sweet, DeHoioa* Neefcar righb - MeJDO]NA]d> Sd 00., Tailobs throagh. ■ nSBI^B PT7YI ON" TPIA ""* " ® J. T. COUCH, Ashburtoii* TH B Coventry Machinists' Company, Limited, (incorporated with the Swift TV jEJLXXVULrJ. J-liV-rvrA 1 hJ Cycle Company, Limited,} have thepieaßnre of infarmiog their agante and the pdblie genet ally that the King has been graciously TTCTW r »ro'ftft^ Stock of Water- Phased to grant them a Royal Warrant of HE Largest btocK ot wacer- p p ofa t m - eatt aB Oy qie MannfaotarM to Hto Majesty. proo?a ia the newest shapes, Now The Company have now had the honour of holding a Royal Warrant of Appointment for Ooened over owenfcy years, baying firßb bern ap* * pointed Cycle Manufacturers to His Majasty, RAINPROOF TWEED CHESTERFIELDS when Prlno9 of Wal?» ln Jaooary» 1883 ---. 4tt 6d »d 68. v , ECLIPSE CYCLE CO., BLUB TWEED CHESTERFIELDS, 30s AGBNTS , TANORBD BTBBET. ORB« TWJBED OHBBTERBIELDS " * ——— m* "HATS FAWN TWEBn OHBSTBRFIELPS —1 *286 d , XTTB HAVE JUS3J OPENED, WATERPROOFS MADE TO ! „„ 8 «GOTHIC» MEASURE w Diraot from the Manufa&t^re,r^ a Large A ¥cry I^arge Selection of Water- shipment of Gents' Hata in the very Latent proa* PfttJterftl to select from Styles, including complete raDgta of the *""■"'" celebrated j TBE NEW ZEALANi) | M QQQ^ s£ i BING » bestqual/ITY OQOTHINO FACTOBY ! FLEXIBLE HATS ; 3?. M. jBEOKIN,QBALE, for whloh we are the Sole Agenti in tbta Manager Dlstriobo DURING this sale you can,get Reliable! /WATfIHEAD & BEBRYMAN Kid Glovea (or Is lid ; usual prices, OXWii,U,£JLJ2mJL/ » JJEiXMXXmnn 2« 6i 2s Ud, 3a 6d, all la lid—W H The bMilsg VaUw »d oQsbtort. Pka»oS.; Draper and Olothier. • Aibbarton* " i



TUSSICURA. ourgp. Ow^baof Long Standing, prorao,t©a llasy Expectoration. Pripe, Bs %i;. obtainable everywhere. i Should other remedies fall yoa oan ajwaya depend on TOBBIOURA. All who tore tsled its say the flame.



Hollis ChrCLK—The dteplay of Efoili* cycles now on view at John Orr ft Oo'i i» well' worthy o! inspection by all ayoli»g enthae*' -•< laets. These maohinss are mads from genuin* B S. A parts by the celebrated gnnmaken, M, HoUIb & Soos, Birmingham, whioh should b* sufficieaß gaaractob off fcholr effioienoy. The' models we have Been are superbly fiai>hed;> and nhe high oUndard of quality attained 1 in the mana(aet>are of the HoilU bioyole ha* b««mo»i rigidly maintained.