EPHEMERIS

SUN.

Phases of the Moon for December.

Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following places, as under, subject to the necessary alterations: THURSDAY, Dec. 18. For Australian States due Sydney Dec. 23rd), India, Chiua, Ceylon, Straits Settlement, Japan, South Africa, etc, also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom (due London February Ist), via Brindisi, at 10.30 a.m.

Mining.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.

Dunedtn, Dec 15 During the week ended to-day returns have been received from 61 dredges, the total gold yield being 14d.70z l'Jdwt lOgrs, or an average of 22ozper dredge. Additional returns—Muddy Creek 560z 2dwt, Per- J severance 11. 350z 3dwt 6j>rs, Paterson's Freehold 330z, Upper Waipori 290z, Waitahuna 240z 13d wt, Enfield 23cz 14dwt 12grs, Reliance 13oz 2dwt, Long Valley I2oz, West Coast Maori King 13oz 6dwt 22grs, Cornwall Boz 2dwt. At a meeting of the Waiora Gold Dredg ing Company it was decided to go into liquidation voluntarily. It was stated that satisfactory arrangements had b> en made with vendors, and there was no reason why a first dividend of four shillings on shares paid up to 15s should not be received shortly. 1 ' Wellington, Deo. 15 I The Waihi Gold Mining Company s ! month's return shows another record, 16,817 tons ore yielded bullion valued at £49,686, the total output to date being £•2,465,759.

Commercial.

Sydney Markets.

Sydney 1, Dec. 15 At the wool sales prices are firm. Greasy, Isjscoureds to Is 7fd. At the Homebush sales there were heavy catalogues. Crossbred wethers, medium from 11s 6d, good 15s to 16s, best 18s; ewes, medium, 113; good 14s, best 17s. Cattle- Quality inferior. Medium £\O, good -£13 10s, best £17 2s 6d. Cows, medium £S, good £9 15s, extra good <£15. Best beef sold up to £2 15s per hundred pounds. Potatoes are easier. The supply is plynti ful, and prices range from 7s to Bs.

Ashburton Grain Market.

The Ash burton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Go-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., quotes as follows or. Dae. 15th, 19021 Wheat- Tuscan \ Pearl V Is 6d to 5s Hunters J Oats—Duns 2s Od to 2s 9d Danish ... 2sGdto 2s 9d " Sparrowbills ... 2s fid to 2s 9d „ Canadians ... 2s 9d to 3s Barley—Malting, prime 3s 3d Inferior ... 2s 9d to 33 Pea3—Prussian Blue ... ,5s „ PaitrUlffO ... 3S (id Chaff Qoodoatsheaf ... stills Grass seed—Farmers' ... 2s cJd to 3s 3d I The above are prices current paid to farmers on trucks at Ashburton.

Asgburton Guardian MAGNA VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1902. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Strawbisrkv Chops.-—A telegram from Waiuiiite state 3 that it has been raining for several days, md in consequence the strawberry crops have suffered severely, and the fruit is rotting on the ground. Thk Mead Settlement. — Pamphlets descriptive of Jbhe Mead Settlement, noar Kakaia, consisting q£ SQQG acres, which is to be open for selection under the Lands for Settlement Apt on January 21st, 1903, are obtainable foouj the office of the Lands Department at Ohris.tphurch.

DtsuRACEfUt, CoxpircT.—After the close or the Bazaar in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening, while the stallholders and Messrs Cox and Makeig were making final arrangements for locking up the building, $WQ ov three men more or less under the 'infiupnee <jf liquor tried to force their way into the HaU, and tlj,e police had to ba seat for before they could be got rid of.

Personal —Mr W. McKinney, who for the past three years has been disponser at the Christchurch Hospital, and who is leaving that institution at the end of the present year to commence business on his own Recount as a chemist at Linwood, was on Saturday n'lsH' tlie recipient of a gold watehguard, with iiisjcpibed medallion, and an address from the nurses wh,Q &vf» mem bers of the Hiawatha String Band, of which Mr McKinney was the founder and con ductor. Mt McKinney is well-known in Ashburton, having for some time acted ns assistant to Mr H. C. Bonniugfcon, chemist.

A Negl.vcsted Offer.—The following is .an advertisement which appeared in a \yelsh periodical calle'd'"Tto Lamb" in lgs{j : —" The advertiser and the editor of Ihis periodical will give to any inventor dgIOOO wti# will make a preaching instru ment or machine with power enough to make itself heard ten miles around. The editor will hire it from place to place, where it will be placed for a. short; time to preach the Gospel. This preaching machine, must be ready for January Ist, 1857', when the editor will pay over to the success ful inventor .£IOOO sterling." The prize apparently, was never won.

Distress i« G-jjitiiAWV. - Winter is ap proaching, and the poorer classes in Germary are trembling for what may be in store for them. Trade has never been at such a low ebb, and the large towns are lill.ed wi£h thousands of persons out of Work, although" ther,e is in the country a lack of field labourers; but tho reason for this lies in bad wagos and still worse treat ment. Only too long has the economical crisis in Germany lasted, and nobody knows when it will end. Now aud then signs of improvement were noticeable, but the hopes of employers and workman have been always dashed to the ground again.— London " Daily Express."

Bright Houks' Children.—This tal ented company of children will give only one of their excellent entertainments, in stead of two as previously announced. They will appear on Saturday evening only, when it is to* be expected that a bumper hou-e will greet them at the Oddfellows' Hall

Music and Drawing Tuition. — Mrs Donald McLean, Bachelor of Music (N.Z., University) has decided to commence teach ing on or about January 28th, 1903, the pianoforte, singing and voice production, theory, also freehand drawing, and is pre pared to receive the n'imes of a limited number of pupils. Terms, etc., may bo as certained on application personally at, or by letter addressed to " Kinraid," Tinwald. New Zealand Butter in the Trans vaal.—-A letter received by the Industries Department from the manager of the Transvaal Fresh Food and Dairy Supply Company states that tho first dairy ship ment of New Zealand butter put the be3l Australian brands in the back ground for texture and flavour. The Weathek.—The weather for the pa t few days has been very unusual for this time of the year ; rain more or less heavy on Sunday and Monday with short ! intermission, and very heavy rain last j night. Our Mount Somers correspondent say?, the weathtr there this morning had a very wintry appearance, sqow lying about one inch thick. There was a very heavy rain during the night.

The Late Mb Nell—Our Springburn correspondent writes: —Quite a gloom was cast over the Springburn and Staveley districts yesterday when it was known that Mr Richard Nell, second son of Mi- George Nell, of the sawmills, had died at the hospital. The Springburn s'hool was at once dismissed for the remainder of the day, aud the school flag was lowered to half-mast as a tribute to the memory of deceased, who was a former and very popu lar scholar among his fellowpupils and teachers.

The Flaxmu.ling Industry.— Some flaxmillers in the Manawatu district are paying as high as 22s 6d per ton of green flax as royalty for the right of cutting. As it requires eight tons of green flax to make a ton of fibre, the owners of flax lands must be "making their pile," says the "New Zealand Times." The Makerua Company, which purchased the extensive flat swamp lands of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, is about to sell a num ber of flax farms, so as to enable flaxmillers to acquire their own freeholds.

The Motor-Car in America.—Large numbers of American physicians are using automobile vehicles in their practice, and as they often ride at a rate of speed much greater than the law allows, arrest 3 have been made. The plea of the physician is that the life of his patient depends upon his immediate presence. The ruling of the Court 3 has thus far been that the physician may exceed the rate of speed required by law while attending to professional calls, whatever may be the motor-power of the V9hicle which conveys him.

A Dktectivu as a Musical Instbdiient. —All tho world knows how cartain ' musi cal instruments' were imported into the Transvaal, but piano-cases are not yet universally suspect. A Wednesbury detec tive lately turned this fact to account. Con cealed in "a private crate, in which numerous holes were pierced ho was driven through the streets in a greengrocer's cart. From hi? place of concealment he saw hundreds of bets taken by men, women and children. At the Police Court, the defendants, who admitted they had been out-manoeuvred, were ordered to pay fines amounting to £10.

Titr New Zealand Nurses.—The Pre mier has received, through his Excellency the Governor, a cp,py of a letter from the War Office, acquainting him with the fact that the war gratuity, drawn by members of tho Army Nursing Service and the Army Xursing Service Reserve, will be granted to ihe ladies who were sent out officially as cursing sisters from over-sea colonies, and dso <o thoFO 1 idiea who proceeded to South vfrica *'rom the oo'onies at their own ex pense and wery taken into employment 1000-Uy. The gratuity will be issued at once.

A Peculiar Disease. — The "Xancef' hus a father alarm'ng suggostion as regards the permanency of the stained glass in English cathedrals. " Lately," it states, "it has been found that a peculiar ' glass disease' has broken out amongst the window.-* of York Cathedpal—indeed, it is stated that some of the thirteenth and fourteenth century glass in the edifice has been removod in order to arrest the ' disease.' The outbreak is ascribed to a fungus, but the exact nature of its attack upon the glass is not described. The glass appears to be perforated to such an extent that portions of the glass yield on the slightest touch. Moreover, the trans parency of the glass has to a great extent disappeared—in 6hort, the glass here and there exhibits no longer the properties of glass. It is evident that some kind of chemical action has been established, due, perhaps, to the life and habits of a specific fungus."

Lord Horbjoun's New Tiftß. — The reason why Lord Hopotoun has hot yet assumed the marquessate to which he was gazetted in June last is the subject of speculation iv London and Glasgow. The Loudon correspondent of the ." Glasgow Herald" s»ys. it h.as fip¥ teakecj. oijfc that h^s Loivdship is desirous ot being Uiiown as the Marquis of Linlithgow, a style of title, however, which is objected to by Mr J. N. E. Fen ton-Livings ton, of Westquarter, near Falkirk, the heir general of the Earl of Linlithgow', y?]\b was forfeited in 1715. A forfeited peerage fs ftou-e^isi^n^ hv ( p senti ment is very much aljvo, for it lias been nothing extraordinary to see forfeitures removed in fayoujr @f sps#e popular or descrying person who can prove his; family connection with the rngmheF who suffered forfeiture, and on this grwijnd Mr- Fen ton- Livingstone's objection might yeGeiva con sideration in the potential Interests of the Livingston family.

Law Against Bachelors.—A stringent law against bachelors has recently been promulgated in oije of tl'ie Sfcajbes forming the Argentine BopnbUo, A man |s mar riageable in Argentina when he is twenty. If, from that date, and till he passes his thirtieth birthday, hs vish.es to remain singlo, he must pay £1 a month to the State. For the next five years the tax increases 100 per cent, Between thirty-five and fifty the bachelor is mulcted to the tune of £i a month. Ero'm his fiftieth year to seventy-five .£6 a month is the tax ; put, having reached the seyenty-fifth year, relief finally pomes, ftnd the tax becomes nominal, be^ng reduced to <£2 a yeas. Affcep eighty a man can remain single without paying anything. There is a paragraph relating to widowers, who are given three years in which to mourn and pick a successor. A man who can prove that he has proposed and been refused three times in one year is also considered to have earned immunity fpqm jfcajation. It is said that the law works like a 'charm,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

United Press Associaiion —By Electric Telegraph Timabu, December 15 The Timaru High School Board at its meeting to-day, discussed tha Education Department's new regulations for free secondary education, and decided to unite with all South Canterbury schools, with a view of ascertaining the number of pupils j each is likely to sand to the High School I i£ the new scheme should be adopted, and a ; I committee of the Board was appointed to report fully as to the financial position and staffing of the High School under the new conditions. An opinion was expressed that the attendance at the High School will be doubled if the new regulations are adopted. Wanganui, Dec. 15 While three men were driving yesterday the horse shied at the railway engine and swerved, capsizing the trap. The occupants ■ were thrown out close to the railway line. One had his collarbone broken and a con tusion on the leg; another had two ribs fractured ; and the third escaped with a few bruises. The former is in the hospital. The engine pulled up clear of the obstruc tion. Hokitika, Dec. 15 Mrs W. T. Richards, of Kumara, who was accidentally shot by her son, eighteen years of age, on Saturday, succumbed to her injuries this evening. Christchurch, Dec. 15

The Canterbury College Board of Gover nors have agiin considered the system of giving religious instruction out of school hours in the Boys' High School, and have decided to grant the headmaster permission to carry on the present classes subject to certain regulations Interest taken in the day to be fixed for the half-holiday in Christchurch and suburbs centred in the City Council this evening when delegates were appointed to attend a conference to decide the question. The Council was deluged with petitions and deputations, some urging Saturday and some Thursday. On the suggestion of the Mayor, the Council decided not to give its delegates any instructions as it was con sidered unfair to ask other delegates to attend the conference when the decision is a foregone conclusion as the Council is allowed to appoint a majority of delegates. Wellington Dec. 15

In the Divorce Court, a decree nisi was granted in the case of Catherine Knapp v Edward Knapp, application for dissolution of marriage on account of the husband's drunkenness and failure to maintain the petitioner. Lavinia Marsh obtained a dissolution of her marriage with George Marsh on the grounds of desertion and adultery. Henry George Smith sought a divorce from Clarence Smith on account of deser tion, Respondent had refused to live with petitioner in the country whera he had taken up a farm. A deciee nisi was granted. la Ellen Hall v Edwin Hall, judgment was postponed, pending proof of certain formalities having been executed. A decree was granted, in camera, dis solving the marriage of Sidney Leonard and "■'arah Leonard. Daniel Robertson was the co-respondent.

Sunday Trading.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Waoiatk, December 15 At the Magistrate's Court to-dny, Alfred Harris, licensee of the Empire Hotel, was fined £Z for Sunday trading and the license endorsed. The fine was raised to £5 Is to allow of an appeal. In a similar case against Brian Flynn, licensee of the Criterion Hotel, judgment wis held over by Major Keddell, S.M.,till Wednesday,

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN" v NEW SOUTH WALES, United I"res 3 Association —My Klec'ric Telegraph Sydney, Dec. 15 . The Now South Wales in their second innings made 214—MaoKay 57, Pye 32, Cuffe, not out, 25. Jones obtained seven wickers for 73, Trunible iwo for 68. The Australians, in their second innings, havo lost 7 wickets for ISS -Duff 40, Trumpbr- 76, and Hill 2tj are the chief scorers.

Intemperate Temperance Advocates.

The following comments on the language indulged in by Mr T. E." Taylor at the recent thanksgiving meeting in Christ church, are taken from the last issue to hand of the "Outlook/? True friends of 'temperance should guard agrinst, in the excitment of.a notable victory, being betrayed" into using intem perate language towards th,o' defeated party. It is the proud boast of Britons that they know how to treat a fallen foe, and it is a mistake to gibe at the publicans 1 after the fashion indulged in by Mr T. E.- Taylor, now senior member for Christ church, at a Prohibition meeting in Christ- Qhurch- C>ii a- recent Sunday night;. Our delight ay§e.eing Mr Taylop'at tlift' head of j the poll is to 50'iift extent marrp4 by such uncalled-for expressions as " Let the publi cans take their swags on their backs and work, like any other men. It is sheer nonsense to preach sympathy with tftesef men," Itinugt not be forgot ten that 'f.|}Q i'- Nq-I'ipsu'sg«' yic.tqrie.s.at the recent poll won because the Moderate party, \yho hold the balance of power, dis gusted jyith. th,e pfespnt QOJ^duct of the j drii^k traffic,' |;brew th,eir Weight and in fluence on" the sjde of temperance. Past fixperlenge ppoyes t}}at nothing is more likely tQ alignata the sympathy of the Moderate party than the language of in temperance. There can be no doubt that serious financial loss will be inflicted on a number of people connected with the '■' Trade " yhei;. the " No-|icense " and" Ke duction " proposals, just decided npQii, are carrier} into effect, and an effort will be made to arouse popular sympathy on their behalf. In the present state o? th.o law, every qne'who puts his money int^ the liquor traffic, inours a certain business 1 risk, in that any or all licenses are liable to be cancelled every three years. A dispossess ed publican' is therefere' deserving of just tbo same amount of sympathy which is meted out to the man who indulges in risky in the hopes of finding a shortcut to fortune, — |usp that %nd n# more. But when a man has risked and lost, it is neither politic nor Christian-like to exult over his downfall. It is the curse of drunk enness against which, in the powejj qf God, we are contending, therefore let us fight the traffic, rather than seek a quarrel with the men who engage in it.

Shooting.

THE SELWYN CHALLENGE TROPHY,

The following handicaps have been de clared for the match to-d iy at Lagmhor, to compete for the Selwyn Challenge Glasses , presented by C. A. C. Hardy, Esq., M.H.R., and second prize presented by Captain ¥ooks:— hdp. hdp. Sergt. Stuart .., scr Tr. Buckley ... 9 „ Morrison 2 „ Cookson ... 10 „ Christian 5 „ MoKay ... 10 Sergt-Mjr Gibson 6 „ Bland ... 10 Corpl. Strachan 6 Cpl. McLauchlin 11 Tr. Hjutnell 6 Tr. Baxter ... H „ Hardy ... 7 „ Doig • I 1 „ Stone ... 7 „ Blunden ... 11 Sergt. Ironside ... 7 .^ergt. Cow ... 11 ! Chapl'n Blakiston 8 L-CplJeff ... 12 Tr. Corbett 8 Tr. Dunbar ... 12 „ W. Stringfellow 8 „ Soal ... 12 Cpl. Blunden ... 8 „ Doherty .. 12 Tr. McGregor ... 8 „ Magson ..^l3 „ Lamb ... 8 „ Murphy ... 14 „ Moore ... 8 „ Shearman 14 „ Doyle ... 8 „ Friedlander 14. Tpt-Mjr. Gordon 8 „ Williams 14 Tr. Storrier ... 9 L-Cpl. Maxwell 16, „ Curtis ... 9

Railway Accident at Mataura.

Gore, Dec, 14 A railway collision at Mataura on Satur day night caused serious damage to the rolling stock. The south goods' train remained at the siding at Mataura awaiting the arrival of the passenger train which leave 3 Invercargill at 4.15. The porter who had assisted in the shunting operations in connection with the goods train remained at the points when Lhe passenger train steamed in. He sat on the lever and turned the approaching train on to the rails on which the goods train was waiting. Had the porter left the points free the collision would not have occurred. The driver immediately shut off steam and applied the brakes, but the engine crashed into the goods train. The driver of the passenger train leaped to the ground, but the meat van next to the engine was jerked clean off the line, striking the driver and rendering him unconscious. Tho passengers quickly, under the direction of Mr. M'Nab, M.H.R., who was also a passenger, set about his rescue. It appeared ]ust as if the canted waggon pinioned him to the ground, but, fortunately, some of the weight of the waggon was sustained by the kerbing of the platform, thus saving him. When extricated he was discovered to be uncon cern, with rather severe injuries about the head. McMullins is the man's name. Three trucks, two meat vans, and two horse boxes, were thrown off the line, and partially mounted each other. Two buggies in the trucks were smashed to- matchwood. A racehorse occupied one of the boxes, and was thrown on its back, suffering consider able injury The cowcatchers and guard irons of n engines were smashed, and the buffer beam of the standing engine was shattered to pieces. The front portion of tho passenger train and the bogie were very much knocked about. The damaged to the permanent way was trifling. A pasaenger train was despatched from Gore, and brought the passengers north ward. It is roughly estimated the damage will run into about £700 or ,£BOO. A trac tion engine was procured to pull the derailed trucks oIT the line. The driver'was only on his second trip on the line, and it was the points man's first day at Mataura.

The Question of the Licens ing Polls.

ANOTHER LEGAL OPINION,

Knowing 1 that Mr A. S. Adams is Tell ! posted in tlio licensing law, we (the " Dune din Star") sent to th>t gentleman asking 'if he would oblig9 with, an opinion as to the position of the rival parties in regard to the districts wherein the poll i.= 3 peti tioned against. Mr Adams replied that he had no objection to his opinion being publicly known, and he dictated the fol lowing 1 statements : — The crux of the position is really section 21 of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act of LS93. That section has an interest ing history. It was introduced into the Act whilst the celebrated §ydejiham appeal caso wt^s pending, and it was hoped by the lii[iior patty that the section would have the effect of enabling them to succeed in the-Court of Appeal in that case. The Temperance party have always had a strong opinion that had there not been an appeal pending at the time when that Act was passed section 21 would have been enacted in a slightly different form. The section reads as follows :■—" 21—Where a district constituted under this Act or the principal Act has been abolished or altered, and has been constituted or divided into, new dis tricts, the poll in force in sucfy first mentioned district a^; ih^g tip^e p,f such abolition or alteration shall continue and remain in force in such new districts until the period arrives for taking the next tri ennial poll, and shall have the same force and effect as if such poll had been taken in such new districts." Eead in conjunction with section 3 of the Act of 1895, to which Mr John MacGregor refers in his letter published in the " §fear " p| Th^sda.y, a^d ! with th,e fact thai the boujidanes of the districts of Duneilin, Chalmers, C^versham, and the other districts where petitions have been lodged were all altered this year, so that these districts have now become new districts, the effect is at once apparent. Section 3 of the i§9s Apt provides* ika>t '% liQaaga'of any description sh^ll be granted or renewed until the electors of the district I have previously determined," etc. Now, as Dunedin, Cavershajn, gto.j a,re now/ new districts, tfya electors, of those districts have : never had any opportunity of coining to «, I determination under fcj^a A^t n ti| the first jioll aftflp the alteration of the boundaries j this year, The poll taken on the 25th £Tq, | vember was therefore the first poll taken in those districts under the Act If this poll stand, then licenses may be granted where on!y reduction is carried. If it doeg not s,tand_, bu^ i§ declared yciid, an.d A as Mr "Phorntftn puts it, is thus, a nullity ab initio, the, electors, of " the district *' have not determined anything,' and IfjeWpn a of. tfae A_c| pf J^pa theretaue' 1 prohibits the granting of any licenses. The trade, consequently, are on the horns of a dilemma. They may either accept the present situation, and submit to redac tion with the best grace they can muster, or they may press their petitions, with the if;sk :of succeeding and preventing any license^ be|ng grafted $ all ' ' 1 do, not \psh to be. understood as saying anything at all as to the merits or the pro babilities of success in connection \ritb, the \ petitions. TUey are. su.b ;judice, and it would be manifestly improper fop me to express any opinion. The position is different in different dis tricts. In Duuedin and Oavershani redact tion only waa carried ; in Chalmers, Bruce a.nd Madura no-lipen.se v^3 earned, Ob viously the effect pf the above T?ill be different in the eases of reduction and na license. It will be suggested that the liquor party have nothing to, lose in pressing |heir petitions in Chalmers, Bruce, and Hataur,a, as licenses are bound to go in, any event. But I do' not th,inls it v/jll wor£ out so at all. Foriu§tauce, it' in Chalmers the party were to succeed on their petition and. have the poll upset, then, if my inteppveta^ tion of the Act is GQrreofc, no licenses can be granted in that district. And this singular result will follow: —The Hopnses will be extinguished,. At tUe next licensing poll ths ijiiestions to be submitted to the voters will be the same as at present, viz s —(I) Continuance, (2) reduction, (3) no licenso. Suppose the poll to be taken and " continuance " carried, that means that '-'the number of licenses in the distaict shall continue as at present/ 1 and as there will be no licenses in the district none -can. be granted, and no yote fqr restoration p!ati be taken, therefore* licenses a*e for eves ex cluded from the district, It looks as though the petitioners will be "hoist with their own petard"

(We understand on good authority that Mr H. D. Bell, Wellington, has given aii pxaotly similar opinion to Mr* Adams with regard to the effect of the Local Optioii ixjlluin new and altered electoral distrtotis.Jf

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association — !iy Electric Telegraph—Copyright  „ London, Dec. 15 " The T lmes says it is inconceivable that a builder with anything to lose would accept the conditions connected with the construction of the new Cunarders. In dependently of the u-iual tests, the boats are to be returnable to the builders if after twelve mouths' running they do not achieve an average of twenty-five knots per hour. The Treasury ought to see that the build ers undertaking the work of construction are able to bear (he risk.

Mr Lefroy, the Agent-General for Wesfc Australia, received a deputation, repre senting thirty-five mining companies with a capital of eleven millions, asking for a reduction of railway rates on machinery and stores, a better title, greater facilities for workinig consolidated holdings, drop ping the Companies Duties Act, or levying a percentage on dividends distributed in any one year. He promised to forward the petition to the "West Australian Govern ment. The Countess of Dudley shows steady progress. The relief fund for loyalists baa reached .£IO,OOO. The official " Messenger" of St Peters* burg says that Russia insists on Turkey executing efficient reform, but the aban donment of agitation by the Macedonian Committee is the first condition of success. Russia is firmly resolved to maintain the settlement of ] 897* and guard against com plications in the Balkans. Her, attitude commands the complete sympathy of the ! Powers. Ottawa, December 16. | Sir W. Laurier disallowed British Colum bia's Act relating to the immigration and employment of Japanese.

Paris, Dec. 15 Additional concessions granted fay Siam to Prance comprise the employment of teach ers and sanitary engineers nnd a subsidy for a bi-monthly postal service to Saigon. Durban, December 14. The Zulu chief Dmizulu refuses to sur render to the Natal Government a quantity of captured Boer arms and ammunition.

The Trouble with Vene zuela.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

London, Dec. 14 President Castro's request for arbitra tion has not been received "in London or Berlin, though it is understood that Colonel Hay (the Secretary of State for America) is transmitting it. The authorities at Washington main tain an attitude of friendly reserve and ■un officially suggested to Britain and Ger many that President Roosevelt should act; - as mediator. New York, Dec 15 The allies in South America promise to uphold the French claims, and have also arranged regarding Italy's claims. The Germans in Caracas support the re quest for arbitration, fearing that a con flict will jeopardise German trade in South America. Four American first-class battleships and several cruisers have been ordered to Trini dad. The seizure of the British steamer Topaze was an act of pillage. '1 he captain and crew were held prisoners until H.M.S. Charybdis demanded satisfaction for the outrage within two hours, otherwise it would bombard the fortress and Custom house. The notification was ignored, and the allies opened fire, continuing for an hour. The fortress replied,, but was early silenced. The town was not damaged. President Castro surrendered the proper ties of the English Railway and Telegraph Companies. Fort Laguare was evacuated I and the soldiers left the town, the militia i are being summoned to preserve order.

The entire Venezuelan fleet has been captured. The Vineta's men conveyed the Bestaurador to Trinidad. The British are manning and utilising their prizes. Italy has deposited with the authorities at Caracas a similar demand to those of the allies for the payment of sixty thousand dollars. President Castro admitted the claims.

Great Britain's ultimatum to Venezuela demanded the immediate payment of a sum ef|u"alling that which ought in the first instance to have been paid. The balance, after the payment of urgent claims, will go towards the clainis reserved for the decision of a mixed commission.

Germany's ultimatum complained of Venezuela's evasion and offensive language and warned her of the results of a refusal to settle claims in conformity with inter national law.

The Queen's Christmas Wish

United PreEg Association—By Electric Telegraph. London, Dec 15.. The Queen desires, in this Coronation ypai, to express her heartfelt sympathy with, those bereaved by the war, and to. wish that happiness and comfort niay^ with Gad's blessing, be theirs for the year 1903, Her Majesty gives a Christmas dinner on the 27th to the widows and orphans, living: in London and the suburbs, of imperial and colonial sailors and soldiers who were killed or who died from the efeota of injuries in. the war.

Restriction of Immigration.

HATMAKERS IN AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right. Melbourne, Dec. 15 | S;v E. Barton, in a minute on the hatters difficulty, points out that no application for exemption was made till the tenth applica tion was opposed by the president and secretary of the Australasian Association of Felt Hatters. Sir E. Barton expressed regret that tho application was made so late.

The Colonial Conference

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, Lqniiqn, Doc, 14 The Agents-General attended tie Empire League meeting 5n the House of Commons, - t^ord Onslow presided, and sajd he noted w/ith, satisfaction that the qutconje of the. Colonial Conference was a substantial pra& tical contribution towards a oloser union, and gave the germ b£ what might here ' after- become a great Council of the Em pire. -■-■.■- "

German Tariff Bill.

United Press Association—By Electric , Telegraph. Berlin, Dec. 15 The Eeiehstag, after a sitting lasting: eighteen and a half hour?, by 202 votes to" 100, adopted the third reading of the Tariff BiU, The Kaiier decorated Count Yon Bulow in recognition of his success.

Hailstones as Big as Teacups.

United Press Association-—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Brisbane, Dec. 15 A cyclone struck Brookville, and a num ber of houses were levelled to the ground. The storm unroofed a church and the Eng lish Mission Hall. Hailstones as large as teacups fell, smashing all the glass in their trade' Fiyu inches of rain were recorded;

fHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN ; TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1902.



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p. FEBRIMAN. J •FTAS for Sale a Leasehold Grazing Property of about 1000 Acres. A good Sheep Farm. FOR SAT. E. X ACRES, rell watered land, within a mile of Mr John Cochrane's Wakanui property. F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE. : SEAFIELD. : q/%/\ ACRES of Land, in capital con dition. The greater part of the purchase money can remain at 4£- per cent, per annum F. FERRIMAN, business' notices. H GRESHAM, SURGEON AND MECHANICAL DENTIST. Oy Examination, October, 1897 J/-IGHT years experience with E. Gt. and *< F. W. Gresham, Dentists, Dunedin and Invercargill. i Haß commenced practice in rooms upstairs from the entrance to Thomas' Auction Rooms, Burnett Street. Stoppings in Gold, Amalgam, and Cement. Gold and Porcelain crowns made ; also sets of teeth with Vulcanite and Porcelain gums. Gas administered. All work guaranteed. Sorbs ow Attendance —9 a.m. —5 p.m. Private Residence-*Care Mrs Gkant, Will* Street. Helpless with tp Rheumatism ■ You'ys tried liniments and prescriptions without result. °CUBB YOURSELF with THE GREAT ... CANADIAN . . . SEAWEED CURE. A medicine and Not a liniment. A Quick and Permanent Cure. SOLD BY ALL DEALERS At 3/6 fxb Bottle. Sole Agent for Australasia: f, GEO. W. WILTON, Wellington. HIM .. -Hill FARMS FARMS I HAVE for Sate ose of the best Dai-.-y Farms in New Zealand, about 150 acres, watered with natural stream, near a Factory. In fact evertbing is in its favour. A chance rarely met with. Must be sold. Good reasons given for selling. 314 Acres of Land. Good little farm, ■situabed 14 miles from Ashburton. Low price "aod easy terms, SO Acres good land, suitable for dairying, hnlf & mile from factory. Can bo had cheap attd on easy termß. 150,75,120.40 Acres good land. Threo aiiles from town. May be sold is a whole or Feparately. Owner willing to take a low price a_d easy terms. I have also-a number of other Farms and Town Properties on my books for sale at 'low prices. •Having M< ney to Lend oh First and Second Mortgage, I can arrange excep tional terms for any of the above. IMPLEMENTS. One good second-hand Woods' Harvester and Binder. One McCormick's second hand. Both guaranteed. In good working order. To be had at a bargain. I have (the most np-to-date Farm Machi nery in if&e market. Kindly call at the Implement Depot, Tancred street, and inspect for yourselves. W. STCMYER.



m BUSINESS NOTICES. , LADIEs & GENT'S.,— First-class Bicycles for Hire. Every Machine Complete & in Perfect Order. N" EW CYCLING REQUISITES. -Our stock of accessories is the largest in the Colony. Just landed new shipment ot Continental Vulcanised Covers, 22s Od each. — '■ New Spring Pump Clips, Candle Lamps, Acetylene Gas Lamps. REPAIR DEPARTMENT.—-Our repair plant is capable of turning out the work in a most satisfactory manner. English and American Machines repaired on the spot. Christen men, Wellington, Napier, Tiraaru, an-1 Burnett Street, Ashburton. 12 170 __ -jij.jtiuijinr- — -atr*r*tpm*m^**r*nrrm]rirrM™™*n m ■-"'■himinnri",-""— ■"• '■M- OVER I THE THE " WOMEN FOLK TEA J I TALK i " CUPS , , t ' B /~\F the pleasures and unpleasant ■HHBB*^■■■^■B f ea t ure a o f Housekeeping and Dressing, and we venture to say that a favourite topic Just now is The Paradise of Summer' Millinery and Dresses, now BEING SHOWN BY MITCHELL & TIMER, i. THE Di APERS, mil—— II i»■ ■■iriwir-"""- .«^-^^»i««mfjai'-.rw.»'n«».irii jni.ul amwi)H^»' "Britain's Best SSicycle." JSpfe I ROYALTY BEST IN BKITATN. : : A^Ws&?^> I : : BEST IN MiOKILAND. (J^^Sli^ FaVOl'S j^^^^J^^ A^^^^S^^^'.*\^\ •j' 1^ A TVS RUDGE-WIHTWOIITII X*' j§i /~i \T /I F 1"^ %T* \ ■RT^TiTTPPTI ; \/H \ / 1 i I i i Vffl\S\*^ -. ( AGENT, BCTRNETT STREET. tf^^^S^ff c^i&O* Inspect far Yourselves SANTA CLAUB AND FATHER XMAS COMING AGAIN. - - H. M. JONES. - - A€\ Cases of Toy?, Fancy Goods, Books, Stationery, China, Glass, Plush, / 4.<T| tC32\J Japanese and Leather Goods Suitable for Christmas, New Year, Birthday & Wedding Presents Imported direct from Leading London Houses. Must be Sold Lowest possible Prices. Call early & often Christmas Cards in great variety ; Pianos, Organs a»d Bicycles sold. Easy payments Cricketing, Croquet and Tennis jVJgterjal H. M. JONES. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, |N EWJzfeAL A HP] SCTEIUOIi | MEN- B°YS n.z. clothYng factory. SHEEP SHEARING- SEASON. THA V E JUST LANDED MY SEASON'S gSV Vh J ° F I 3s 6d SHEEP SHEARS, 3s 6d ." moludinc T.U.S. and 8.E.A., N.Z., with plain and perforated grips Turkey Oil Stones, i a splendid sample. Sweet Oil. Branding Oils -Rod, Black, and Blue, in 1 and 5 gallon drums; Eaddl.e, Lamp Black, Etc. LAWN MOWERS i.o great variety, from 22s Gd to 55s each. GARDENING TOOLS o£ mvepy description at reduced prices. I BOWLS! BOWLS! BOWLS! j As the, season has jnst opened, I cordially incite inspection of my stock—Taylor's first l^myonl^t SEWING MACHINES. j lam solo agent for l}* 6 celebrated " Davey•" Machine ; 7 years' gviarancse ; Hand £3 ' IOs; Treacle from 10s to £8 jLGs. ( (?all and inspect. They are worth lookipg at. I ' G. MKDI) 1N S, I The People's Ironmonge", ! Burnett Street, opposite Arca<|&



Sander and Sons Eucalypti Extract — Under the distinguished patronage of His Majesty the King of Italy, awarded Diplo ina'at Jbha International Exhibition, Am gfcerd'am; acknowledged by Medical Clinics and Universities all over the globe. That the crude, reginoijs Qjls, are? now foisted upon the public under t}- t e name of Eucalypti Extracts, may not be mistaken for Sau'der and Sons' Pure Yola,til9 Euca lypti Extract, we state :-r-It is_ proved by tests made by the Medical Clinics of the Universities at Bonn and Griefswald )Prussia), that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed of acids, resinous and othei substances adherent to prim'avy ilktijlafeion, will develop the euratiye prc^er'ties p.osgsjssgd by the plant. To avoid the appalling co^sequeijces result ing from th application of substitutes, etc, iu neroup, bronchitis, diphtheria, dysentery, internal inflammation, etc., insist on getting a,4»DBR ANn'SQisrs r Pp»S ?Qs4TffiE Euo/ lypti Exteast and be safe, '



■'££g 'JYiloßing Tba.dk Dispute— The f#6flefcary'oi:'th£ Tailors' Union objected in Court that'C^AjGHEiA^ fp Rfrryman put far more work Ul suits tluln ordinary; (Christchurch) tailoring. Manufacturer's agents explain that Craighead and Berry iitau's Jiijipgs have c ina^eand imported specially, beiftg h&figv quality than usually sold, 't'iioy have just engaged gpyeral extra experienced men" to cope with the rush of orders. Craighead and Berrymau pay extra for both labour and material because their mcito '"s " Satisfaction." Up-to-date suits from :T'i? 10s. l%w Bummer hats, shirts, ties boots,' etc., jusfc openg^. Compare prices ! Observe the qxiality!—(Advt.) i Eggs.—Messrs Fletcher Bros, are buyers ofi'rask eggs in any quantity at 8d per :j dozen/either cash or contra, until further: notice.



USEFUL Present for young and old can be found in endless variety at §tbange's Sample Booms ■"■•' STANMSH AND P-REECE, Photographers under 'the Royal patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Studio Hißh Street, Christchurcn.



M. Goldorp, writing on Monte Carlo and how it has come to bo what it is, tells a curious story of how in thirty years vice has transformed a village of 600 souls into a Principality of 20,000, the richest and most attractive in the world. The revenue of the Casino pays all the expenses of the Principality, affords the Prince a h&ndsomg inoomp, and pays, the gostly personnel and the enormous interest to he shareholders. The Ideal Vulcanised Tyr§ holdc practic ally every N^w Zealand record, is guaran teed for 12 months and can be supplied and fitted to your Cycle without any additional i cost. The Leader Tyre is our second grade lino, manufactured by Ideal Trims Coy, Christchurch and Melbourne, and are guaranteed for 6 months, and is an ab solutely good and reliable Tyre.—(Advt.) The Peerless Incubators are the Greatest moneymakers for the poor man, rich man farmer, hgijse^ife, or anyone else. Ducks, chicks, geese $r turkeys, fand a ready sale, and each cue means a profit with hardly any work. Send for our catalogue . We sell on cash or time payments, and can give yoo. real assistance when you need it. The advice and help of our" expert always at your service. We keep the best of every thing for the poultry yard,—Advt. j



Those of our readers intending to buy a Christmas or New Year present, should* glvo Fletcher Bros, a call, aa during' De cember they are giving2s in the'£ discount off all platedware, clocks, and cutlery, so that anyone studying economy, should see' their stick, and: get priced before buying elsewhere. ' > • ;