EPHEMERIS

Phases of Moon for February

Mail Notices

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to bhe necessary alterations: THURSDAY, Feb 20 For Northern Porte and Weatport, per Retornahana, at 6.30 pm FRIDAY, February 21 For Northern Porta, Westport, Australian Stab--, eto, per Mokoia, at 10.30 a m

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS

Sydney. Feb 19 Wheat, chick, prime, 2s lljrd; millhg, 3i 2d bo 3s 3d Flour, £7 15s to £8 ; Manltoban, £11 10a to £12 5a o„.tß—Feeding, Tasmania!], prime, 3. 2d ; local Algerian, 2s 7d • short white 3a l£d Mafza, prime, 3s 4d to 3s 5d Barley, prime Cape, 2. 93!; English, 2s lid to 3s Bran, lQd % pollard, ll&d Onions—Victorian, £3 10s to £4 10a Potatoes, Tasmanian, £5 15. to £6 Butter, oreamery, lid Bacon 7£d to B|i. Hams, New Zealand, 9Jd to lOd (The above quotations are those ruling between merobant and retailer, and do no. represent the slightly lower values obtained by recognised brokers.) Melbourne, February 19 Wheat, good sales have been made at 3s 5d to 3s 6£d Flour, £7 10. to £7 15. Oats, Algerian, 2s 6d to 3s o£i Barley, prime, 48 8d Maize 3. 4d Bran pollard, lid to 1J Jd Potatoes, £4 53 bo £4 15s Oaiotts, £3 10. to £3 15- AdelaidEj February 12 Wheat, 3s 2\\ to 3a 3d Flour, £7 10s Gate, Algerian, 2a 31 to 2s 6i; stout, 2a 5d to 3a Bran, la, pollard, Is

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET.

Christchurch, Feb 19 Cattle.—2o2 fab cattle, mostly light weight heifera and cows, were entered. There was a rather dull sale, with a dowa ward tendency. Beef sold ab 16a to 21a per 100 bs, heifers £6 5. to £8, and Up to £9 5i for extra prime ; cowb £6 5s to £7 2a 61, and up to £8 12- 6d for extra* Store Cutle.— There was a large entry, but a poor .ale for young aorta, fresh conditioned, well grown cattle sellng well. Yearlings fetched 25a to 27a, 15 to 18 months old £1 12. to £2 16a, two year old steers £4 2i 6d to £5 2i 6d, two year old heifers £3 2s 6d bo £3 9. 6_, three year o'd steera £3 15a, three year old heifers £5 15a, dry cows £2 to £5 10-. Dairy Cows —Beat £7 to £9, others £4 to £6. _. HEiP,—There was a yarding of 3700 fat sheep, rnoßbly ewes, and a oumbsr of North Island. Fre<zera sold ab a slight advance for beeb and ewes showed an improved sale, bub sold irregularly. A few prime heavy wethers fetched 13_ 61 to 19., best fre._-9rs 15s to 17?, lighter 13s to 14a 6J, best awes 12. to 14s 61, others down to 6j 9d, ordinary merino wethers 7s 3d to lis, prime 11* 3d to 13 ■ 6d. Fab Lamba— The entry totalled 2215, mostly unfinished ®ort6, bub there was a good sale, considering the quality. 1256 were taken for export at I2e, 13- 61, and Us, to 14. 8d for extra prime ; 336 went butchers ab 10i 4d to 13s 6d, 150 to gr-j_ier. at 9- 6. to 10s 7d, nearly 500 were passed at 7* to 13a lid. Store Sheep—^.tf store .h.eg, mostly wethers and ewes, The bulk were Inferior sheep from the North Bland and Marlborough, and a dull sale resulted in nearly half being w.thdrawn. A few forward wethers made 11a 6d to I3s, others 8* 10d, good ewes lis to 13i», fair 8. to 10. 01, other? 5s 6d to 7s bi f good lamba 8) to 10* lid, others £a 41 to 7s 6d Pigs-450 pigs were penned, including a lot of unfioished sorts la the fat pens. Fata were dearer, and good sbores sold wall for stubble purposes. B.oonera fetched 35s to 54i equal te 3f ito 4J per lb ; porbera, 25s to 365, tqual _•. 4i to 4|d per lb; 'arge stores sold ab 15s to 28a, smaller 10a ba 14.; euckers, and weancre 5s to 93

BURNSIDE MARKET

Donedin, February 19 Ab the Burnside market 154 he_d of fab cattle were yarded. Good to prime quality realised about last week's prioes, bub medium hardly commanded suoh abbenbion. Besb bullocks m-de from £7 17s to £9 10-, extra heavy £9 17a 6d to £10 ss, medium to good £5 7s 6d to £6 I7s_6d, light and aged £3 10s bo £4 10s,

GERALDINE LIVE STOCK MARKET.

Owing to harvesting operations bhe atten dance was nob as large as usual at the Geraldine live -took sale yesterday, bub there was a full market, and a far amoUnb of @took changed hands, prloaa being a llbtle easier, especially for lambs. There was an entry of about 10,000 sheep, The top prioes realised in the eale were t—.For fab lambs ' 12s 6d, and fab wethers 16b, . merino ewes 7s 9d, fab ewes 10. and 10a Id, four, si^, and fall mouthed ewes 123 6d, cull lamba 5s 6d and Sj 81, three quarberbred lambs 8s lid to 103 6^, tuasook lambs 7. 9d to 8. lid, half bred four, si_c, and gve tooth eweß 12. 6di to 13s 6_, two tooth three quarberbred ewes 13s 9 !, crossbred ewes 7_ 4d bo 7a Qi. There was an eutry of about 40 head of cattle. Cows in profit brought from £5 5s to £5 79 61, dry cows£4 4«to £115-, heifers £4 30., fab cows .36 bo £9" 15s, two year old steers £4 18', eighbeen months old steers and heifere £3 10-, yearliDg heifers £1 7- to £2. There was a good entry of pig-, porkers .old ab £1, weaners 43 to 6..

SUN.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1902.

The conditions which seem to be at tached to the running of excursion trains at the instance ot public insti tutions or private organisations are, in this colony, wonderful and mysterious, There seems to be an idea in the official mind that granting these traina ia a great concession to tbe public, which must be hedged round with stipulations that seem to the mere ordinary individual to be utterly unnecessary and altogether vexatious. For example, tbe promoters of school excursions are informed that they may only issue a limited proportion of tickets to adults, and as a rule no person can get a i ticket on the day of the excursion from anybody, There may be concealed behind this mysterious arrangement some beneficent design in the interest of the holiday makers, or some cunning provision to safeguard the revenue; bat to the ordinary business intelligence this sort of thing appears to be quite unnecessary and very perpltxing, and inconvenient to the public. If the railway authorities have the means of running an excursion train why on earth should there be any tro-thlesorae conditions Imposed? The Railway Department always comes out of this excursion business best; the revenue is materially increased by these trains and the Minister's jubilant speeches at tbe end of every fioancial year owe a good deal to them. Y,e_ whenever an excursion train is run from Ashburton the conditions imposed are such that the numbers travelling by it are con siderably lesß than would be the case if the trains were run on ordinary business line?, when every person

willing to pay his fare would be carried. :As we have said, there may be some 1 cogent reason for the course adopted with regard to excursion trains, but if so, it is not apparent, and it is due to the public that it should be explained. In view of tha considerate manner in which the Manawatu Railway Com pany—a private line—treat the public, the attitude of the Government Rail way Department is the more remark able.

The question of our local volunteer corps supporting a local band was ia cidentally referred to at the meeting of the Ashburton County Brass Band last evening. It was stated that the mounted rifles and Guards would, no doubt, con tribute a fixed sum annually, condition ally upon services being rendered by the band, but that they were expected to assist in supporting the Battalion Band at Timaru. It appears that there can only be one battalion band in connec tion with the South Canterbury Batta lion, and as a matter of course, that is at Timaru, the headquarters. It seems to us that if Colonel Bailey were approached by the people of Ash burton, and the po.ition fully explained to him with special reference to the fact that thoie are three Volunteer Corps here, and there will be a difficulty ia maintaining one band unless the volunteers are permitted-to support it officially, he wou'd facilitate a satisfac tory arrangement being come 10. It would be better for the volunteer com panies, as well as for the band, if Ihe latter were officially associated. The present condition of aff.irs with regard to the Battalion Band is eminently un satisfactory. Ashburton with its three smart Volunteer Corps and it-increasing Importance ought not to have to Bond to Timaru forehand to take part in every military display, That is what occurred on the occasion of the recent church parade pf the Ashburton Mounted Rises, and tho pj-^enseg of bringing the band here had to be paid Had it not been for the liberality of Captain Buckley, the people of Ashbur ton might never have seen or heard the Soa.b Oauterbary Battalion Baud io their lown.

Local and General.

Weather Forecast. — Captain Edwin W ! re s :—Strong northeast to north and wesb wind.; glass fall soon.

Dunedin Races—Ercursion fares by rail to Dunedin for tho raoee are advertised In another column.

Kejt Dr* MoßLßy—The Rev Dr Morley, the Connexions,! Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, was a through passenger by the express for the north laab nighb;

The Wairarapa Harvesb—Farmers In the Masterton district have been surprised and delighted ab the results of threshing opera tio-t..which have far exceeded their anticipa tion., One farmer on the Fernrldge has threshed out over 60 bushels of oabs to the acre.

Opß N4.vy.--We understand thab in acoer danoe with a suggestion from country residents, Mr MaoMahon, advance of ' Oar Navy,' is in oorpmunlcablon wibh the Company wibh a view to giving a ma.inoe pn S-turday afternoon next.

A Soorjs for Ashburton—Of the twenty pine members of the Ninth Contingent supplied by Ashburton, seven have bpen made non oommi-Sion officers, namely:— Arthur Wll!.^ sergeant E Squadron; McCartney, sergeant; fl_ Taj., sergeant ; 15 Sharplin, corporal; J Sutherland, corporal; J W Payne, corporal; C Doherby, corporal!

Jm In|. luenob of FaemoN—The followr in« conversation waa overheard at the Post Office corner yesbejfday. Jones : I was much amused Just now ab seeing a girl of abou. fourteen wibh a dreaa ab least six inches, above bhe pavement, holding it up with the fashionable elbow klak with one hand, while she carried with difficulty a big paro.l in tha other. Smith; One expects woman and girls to do silly thing, to appear fashionable, bub whab aboub volunbeer privates going aboub carrying short canes of a speoial pattern.

School Teachers and the CONOEN-.BA tion Camps—All bhe school teachers required for the concenbraMon camps have noo yeb been obtained. When the invltabion w&- first i-aued there was (saya tbe Westminster Budget) a rush of applicants, bub when bhe term, of service came to be aonsidered carefully and had been discussed -n certain soholaatio pub'io-tlons, a change of feeling appears to have aeb in, and a great many of ' the abplicatioua were withdrawn. So far most of the teaohep who have actually left for South Africa have gone from Scotland.

One Month Only—Messrs Gates, kowry and Co. are prepared to receive a few second hand Bloyoles in part payment for new ones. Highest markeb value will be allowed on English or Colonial makes.

An Fxpected Arrival—The Dunedin correspondent of Christchurch Truth says:—Joseph Ivess, of newspaper fame, is about to start a trl-weekly penny paper in Lawrence, to be known as the Tuapeka Mail.

Bankrupt Stock —Mr Alex. Montgorn* cry, Deputy Official Assignee, Timaru, invites tenders for the stock of Allan Tweedie, of Timaru, grocer, a bankrupt. The stock is comprised of groceries crockery, glassware, hardware, brush ware, shop furniture, fittii g*. etc, and tbe sheets may ba seen at the offi.e of this paper. Tenders close on Wednesday, February 26th.

Fire Brigade Conference— A compre hensive programme, exbending over six days, has been arranged in connection with the annual conference of fire brigades, to be held in Hoklbika bhe second week in March. There is likely to be a good display in the exhibition of fire escapes and life saving appliances. The Association ia eff.ring a priz. for the best exhibit, Oheap fares are being arranged for delegates travelling over laud or by sea,

Blockhouses Every Six Hundred Yards—Much still remains to be done in the way of partitioning the country by lines of blookhous.e, saya the Pretoria correspon dent of the limes, before we .an hope to clear the E .abern Transvaal «ff>o.ively. Ib is found that blockhouses a mile or more apart are powerless. The Boers, when determine 3, o.n cross In the night. Nothing short of blockhouses every 600 or 700 yards connected by formidable wire entanglements will prove effaobive. To thread the country in this way requires time, also men to occupy the blockhouses, bub in the opinion of the military authorities it i. the only method of dealing with an enemy who refuses to fighb and adopts gu .rrllla tactica. The British public muat, therefore, have patience while the laborious undertaking is carried out.

Air Guns—Another inatanoa of the dan ger of parents allot, log small boya to play with air-guns waa afforded in Auckland the other aftornoon, when a little fellow named James Johnstone, accidentally shot another boy named Herman Furey, through the nose. It seems (says the *?.Z Herald) that earlier in the day the boy Johnston went to the Saving. Bant., and, drawing some money standing to his credit, purchased an air gun for 6s, and lib of shot. Returning to hia home, be sat down on the doerstep and was aiming ab some sparrows in the roadway, Juab aa he pulled thb trigger, Furey, uonofcice. by the youthful sportsman, passed by, and received the contents of the gun in the nofe. The boy was placod under chloroform, and the pellet removed.

Fxcursion to Timaru—The excursion to Timaru, organised by the Hampatead School Committee and the blacksmiths, coachbullderß, and Implement makers, was very well patrotised this morning. The train was advertised to start at 8 o'clock, bub fully an hour before that, parties could be seen wending their way to the railway station, and seats were occupied as soon as the carriage doors were opened. As the hour for starting arrived, it was evident that the accomoda tion provided was distinatly limited, and when the train moved off the portion allotted to the school children was incon veniently and needlessly crowded.

CoMMERciAii Wau—ln his speech at the banquet tendered to him ab Oaebunga, Sir Joseph Ward said that before many years had passed, there would be a great commer cial war between some of the old commercial countries When Britishers began to realise the folly of sub idi.ing German and other foreign linea of steamers to carry British merchandise, they would begin to subsidise Bri iah steamers co foster the trade with the coloniee. Bub the foreigners would nob let the trade go from them without a struggle, Then ib would be seen which countries were going to stand by one another in alliance. Japan had ju.t entered into an alliance with Great Britain, a thing which he had for years preaohed as being praotloable. If the Eng lish speaking countries entered into an alli-nc?, they would be able to stand against the world, and have an Imperial zollverein, with perhaps Japan thrown in, working with one another, lifting .hemselvaa to a higher level commercially, and the other nations could not do them the slightest barn..

Ashburton Brass Band— The _djiura.d mcc' ing of che promoters of the Ashburton O.unty Brass Band was held iv the County Council Chambers last evening, Mr Hum phreys in the chair. The chairman reported that Mr Bullock was not in town, but he had promised thab he and Mr Snodgrass would do their besb on his return, and he expected to be able to obtain the necessary support). Messrs Carson and Leitoh had received promises of donations, and the Chairman said thab he also had received ley oral promisee, so thab the pro.prcts were yary encouraging. On the motion of Mr I W T Baxter, seconded by Mr I'ellii.gham, it was resolved that intending members be Invited to send in their names by the 26th ins*, to the Secretary. Mr Willi, moved that Messrs Milner and Thompson be written to, asking if they were prepared to supply instrument, on terms! He understood they did so. Mr Wright in seconding bhe motion, thought that other firms should be oommuui cared with also. Mr Willis agreed to alter his motion accordingly, and ib was decided to obtain prioe lie's from certain firms doing business in the oolony. He moved a vote of condolence with Mr Gates in his recent bereavement. This was unanimously carried* Mr Gates responded, and the meeting adjourned till Wednesday evening nexb, 26th, at 8 p m.

Cycling Sundries—For cycle repairs an«f anything Irj the cycling line, the Cf ty Cycle Works is the best and cheapest shop In Ashburton —Bt D. John .con, proprietor.

News in Brief.

Mr D Thomas is a cash buyer of wheat, oats, barley, and graas seeds. Mr W Stonyer announces that he has removed from the Arcade to hla new premises in Tanored Street, nexb the Bank of Austra lasia. Of £3800 collected for the Maori GirS§? College at A uckland, over £1000 has been contributed by Hawke's Bay. Deer are increasing so rapidly In the Walrarapa that It is said one station holder recently counted 52 of them In a paddock of rape, while another herd was close by. Charles Georgeson, fishmonger, who was fined Is in Dunedin the other day for haying a large quantity of unwholesome fish in his freesins: works, was yesterday ordered to pay £23 Is, the cost of removing the sarffe, Messrs friedlander Bros, Jubd, will sell on Saturday, Maroh Ist, on account of Mr J Taylor, his complete ohaffcuttlng plant, particulars of which will be found iv our advertising columns;

RIFLE SHOOTING

United Proas Association—By Eleotrlo Teleffraph Wanganui, February 20 The first meeting of the Wanganui'West Coast Rifta Association commenced this morning at the Putikl rifla range, the arrangements being under Colonel Watt. There are fi..y;_our competitors, including the most prominent; shots on the Coast. Beaul.B— „ Taranakl Match, s^o and QOC/ yard,, seven shobs ab each resulted—Corporal Wjnslade {Wanganui), £3, 66 ; Color Sergeant Okey (Taran_ki>, £2 10s 66 ; Sergeanb Scott (Wanganui), £2, 66; Corporal Hulberb (Patea), 30., 65 % Atkinson (Hawera), 64 ; Carey (Patea), 63; Purnell and Drummond (Wanganui), 62, 203 eaoh ; 55 was counted oub,

Christchurch Wool Sale.

United Press Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph

Chr_s_.che.rch, Feb 20 For the fourth wool sale of the season 8490 bales were offered, including a number of good elation clipa. There was a fair attendance of home and local buyers. Bidding waa .lack in the early part of the sale, but improved afterwards. Prices all round were a shade easier as compared with previous sale, except for merino piece. at,d locks for which there was a good demand during the forenoon, merino wool Bold up to 7|i, halfbred to 7cS, crossbred to 5-, merino pieoe. bo 6£d, and merino locks to 4_.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Bleotrio Telegraph—Oopyrighb

LASCARS ON MAIL BOATS.

London, February 18

In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain, replying to Mr Came, member for Oambounrs, said he had not seen a copy cf the memorial from the Beogal Chamber of Commerce, addressed to Lord Curzon, regarding the employment of Lascars on mail boats. He added—" We cannot pre scribe the conditions the Australian Commonwealth should require in mail contrasts."

THE IMPERIAL TOBACCO COMPANY-

The capital of the Imperial Tobacco Company is fixed at £15,000,000, with a public issue of £8,000,000 in shares, The debentures were covered two-fold, WELSH SETTLERS IN PATA-

GONIA, London, Feb 18

A deputation representing five hun dred Welsh settlers in Patagonia, appealed to Mr Chamberlain to provide a transport to Canada, where the Government was willing to supply land facilities for settlement. Mr Chamber lain regretted the application. He had been led to believe that the Welshmen desired to settle in the new colonies. South Africa, where land could be had with assistance in stocking farms, was available The British Government had long discontinued assisting emigrants to self governing colonies. Ha suggested a fresh appeal to the Canadian Premier or to the liberality of the British public.

OBITUARY.

The death is announced of Field- Marshal Sir Neville Chamberlain, aged 82.

EARLY CLOSING.

The House of Lords^ by 57 votes to 28, rejected Lord Avebury's Early Closing Shop Bill,

ROBBERY ON A FRENCH EXPRESS.

Paris, Feb 19

Ernest Toy, the New South Wales violinist, travelling to Paris by the Nice express on Monday night, was robbed of everything and thrown on tbe line, after a desperate struggle. Recovering his senses he. boarded the Toulon train.

GERMANY AND AMERICA. New York, Feb 18

Baron Yon Holleben invited Ad miral Dewey to meet Prince Henry, of Prussia, at dinner, but the Admiral was unable to accept the invitation owing to his wife being ill.

New York, Feb 19

Admiral Dewey went to Florida to avoid Prince Henry of Prussia's recep tion. No leading naval offiser con nected with the Manilla engagement attends.

A MELBOURNE LOAN,

Melbourne, Feb 10

A savings bank loan of £100,000 at 3| per cent has been floated. The public took £32,000, and the Savings Bank Commissioners the balance. The ayerage was _B§9 Joa 9d.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Adelaide, February 10

Mr Homburg has resigned the leader ship of the Opposition ia the State Assembly.

THE AGAPANTHUS.

The steamer Agapanthus has been towed into port with a broken pro peller, after drifting for two days. &. LARGE SHIPMENT OF GOLD Perth, Feb 19 The China shipped 50,000 sovereigns and -69.7,000 in bullion to London,

The Defence of Australia.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Melbourne, February 19

General Hutton, speaking on the defence of the Empire at a dinner given by the Federal Ministry, said that, in addition to local defence forces, they must have a field force available for military operations whenever required. He paid a high tribute to the Aus tralian, New Zealand and Canadian troops. He believed that if Australia decided to pat into the field a force, say, of 20,000 such men, whether for the protection of Australian interests or elsewhere, such a force would prove a controlling factor in any campaign. Mr Barton endorsed General Hutton'a remarks in reference to the need for preparedness to send men and away to defend Australian interests. They must b? prepared to take a share in all matters which affected the in tegrity of the Empire.; By this he dfcf not mean that they must be ready to jump into every war.

The Army Meat Contracts.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright, London, February 19 Mr Montague Nelson considers the meat contract fairly good. If the War Oifice must conduct business on its present lines, there is every reason to hope that the bulk of the meat supplied will be Australasian. His offer to supply meat at a halfpenny per pound above cost was not entertained. Mr J 0 Wasoft, member of thj House of Commons' far Orkney and Shetland, publishes a letter ia. the Times complaining of the meat con tract. Owing to cheaper land, fewer taxes, and lower wages in Argentina tbe colonies are no more able to com pete, he says, in point of price than are English gardeners with Chinamen. Yet the quality of colonial meat is su perior to English

SOUTH AFRICA.

Per Pr«sß Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph—Oopyrighb

ARMY REMOUNTS.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WAR OFFICE London, Feb 19 The Daily Express aska the Wa* Office whether Houlder Bros received a monopoly ia the transport of horses purchased iv tbe Argentine for remount purposes, receiving £14 53. per horse, when £7 left ample profit, whether the War Office bought, at Bowen, Queensland, a large number of ! wild horses at £13 each, though the loc*l price was £4 to £6 ; whether Houlder Bros received £10 to £15 fop carrying Australian horses to the Cape when private shippers paid £8j whether tbe first two cargoes of meat obtained under the new contract wera brought from the River Plate, and tbe name of the earners.

The Boer delegates reach America simultaneously with Prince Henry of Prussia,

ENGAGEMENT WITH DE WET.

LONDON, February 19

Reuters Agency reports that: De Lisle's and Fanshawe's columns en gaged De Wet and a large force under Trommer on the 16tb, capturing tett men and one heliograph. De Wet ordered bis followers to split into small parties to avoid harassing. Lord Methuen surprised two small laagers, capturing forty Boera who had mined the railway between Machado dorp and D&lmanetha, hoping to rescue Ben Viijoen, when conveyed to Pre toria on a bogie truck. The front of the armoured train exploded a mill-*, but the train escaped. Viljoet. was not a passenger.

THE GERMAN SLANDERS

RESIGNATION OF GENERAL TRWM&N

London February 19

A crowded and enthusiastic meeting at Durban, repudiated the slanders on tbe army. Craven, lately De Wet's adjutant, but now a prisoner on parole, wrote emphatically protesting against foreign calumnies on the British sol diers.

Despatches show that Lord Kit chener condemned the precaution* against surprise at Tweefonteio, where there was a severe British reverse on Christmas eve, as most defective. At Lord Roberts' suggestion, General Truman, head of the Remount Depart ment, has provisionally resigned, pend ing enquiry into the remount scandals.

Wellington, February 19

The Casualty Department at Capetom. cables :—Dangerously ill of enteric at Charleston—Privates Chae Cooper and O.rl Joaephson ; at Pretoria—Lance Corpl John Cunningham, and Private J Beslase j at Heilbron—Private __. Norton, Lieutt Shera has had a relapse

THE NINTH CONTINGENT.

Dut-EDIE., February 19

Steady work Is being done at the Forbury camp by the South Id-ad sec.lon of tha Ninth Contingent, Several horses r___had the camp today, and daily additions are expected now. Captain Nicholson has been recommended for a oommis.iou, and is com manding Canterbury No 2 squadron for th. time being The health ef the men in camp ia excellent, and C*p bain Jack sou states that there ia nob a single case of illness.

Plague in Sdyney.

United Press Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph-Copyright Sydney, Feb 19 The plague patient Mclatyre is dead. The block bounded by Pitt, Market, and Oastlereagh streets, and the Im perial Arcade, including Her Majesty 1! Theatre, has been quarantined for cleaning purposes.

CRICKET.

THE FOURTH TEST MATCH

Sydney, Feb 19 The Daily Telegraph nays :—Deprived of the services of their best bowler, admittedly weak in thab department, the English player* were palpably handicapped, though whether to the extent commensurate with each a crushing defeat is for the experts te say. \% is to be remembered that the Auitr|llaoi achieved one of their victories tinder ag equal deprivation. In the EDatch just con' eluded there were some compensation, lor the English such as the extraordinary bow? ling success of Jessop. The collapse was doubtless asoribable partly to the excellent bowling and partly to the infeobloui rot which often irresiabibly impels the bravest men to run because their neighbour! do to. Ib is worth while r< membertag that van* quishing MaoLaren's team does nob mean the defeat of representative Kojjli|^ crioketersi

THE NEXT AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

Melbourne, Feb 19 Darling has been elected captain of tht Australian eleven

NORTH v SOUTH ISLAND

C_-RI_TC«UROfE Feb 1% Ab bhe meeting of the Cricket oounqi!, it was decided to try bo play the match North v South Island ab Wellington at Easter time.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

United Press A?6po|at{pn—By Eleq._;lG Telegraph—Oopyrighb Auckland, February 19 Ab the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the retiring chairraau, Mr Caldwell, in the course of his address, raferring to the abatlatica ef the oolony for 1901, said we had nob much cause for oon< gratulabion, as we were certainly not pro* grassing by leaps and bounds, bub at the decrease in exports was principally caused by the fall in wool, whioh may prove only a temporary retrogression, matters were not serious. There had been a considerable increase in imports, bhe principal reason being the effoobs of unionism and the labour law*, whioh, however righb ethically, could nob fail to restrict manufacturing Interests when placed in competition wibh other countries. Mr Caldwell then dealt *^ibh th.) great Increase in the dairying industry »h4 land settjemeufcj tigging thai the 'CovcV-i* menb should cease acquriog estates from those who did uob want to sell, and tura their attention to the North Island. They possessed the largest estates, and would neither sell nor lease; He also advocated reciprocity or preferential tariff iv faveur of Great Britain. As to Insurance rates, he said thab the Underwriters' A.BOolatloo should take heed of the widespread disiatis* faction caused by excessive rates. Referring to legislation, he. urged unionists te cry oontenc for a bib, or disaster to themselves and others ttighb result. Mr J H Upton was elected President for the ensuing ye^f

TSE ASHBURTON GUABDIAft : THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1902



Date [. ebruary 20 ...  ~ti •• S, «" •• „ 24 __. 25 __

Rises 5 30 5 31 5 32 0 oo 5 34 5 36

Sets 6 58 6 57 6 55 6 53 6 51 6 50



_Ast quarter New moon _.poge_ first quarter Pull moon Perigee

1 0 2 16 23 1?

0 39 a 0 52 a 11 0 a 2 2? a 0 33 a 5 30 a



d_-y_WßW__irii_^-M»ffi^l^^ F. FERRIMAN | FINAL NOTICE. TT ia requested that all Accor.r.ts due to De Maodb bo paid to the undersigned 14 day. F FERRIMAN. A.hbur.oß, February lltb, 1902



TU LET. Kermode Street, AshV.ar.on. A COMFORTABLE Hous« of 5 rooms, together wU. g-od g.rdtn and orchard Apply F FERRIMAN



TO LET, Peter Street, Aehbnrton, A HOtJSE of five rooms; 1 acre of Ol land ; good stabling Apply F FERRIMAN



TO LET. Winter's Road, Allenton, A FIRST CLASS Dwelling, containing six rocrns ; If acres of land, good garden and orchard ; detached bathroom, washhouse, stables and trap house F FERRIMAN



SHEEP FARMS. JHAVE'several good Sheep Farms for sale," ranging from 350 to 1800 Acres. The properties are well fenoed and watered and are within easy access of a market Ful! particulars on application. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent



FOR SALE TANORED STREET, ASHBURTON. A SOUND INVESTMENT. I HATE received instructions from Mr Edward Gibbard to sell part of Town Section 108, situated in Tancred Street, upon which is erected a veiy ctmmodious and convenient Draper's Shop, with dwelling attached, large front glass windows, good position. The property Is let to a good tenant, and Is yielding an panual rental of £91. Fall particulars may be had on appli cation to F FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent, Ashburlon



BUSINESS NOTICES j KOTIOE OP REMOVAL, MB J.~i. BAIN, QURGEOF DENTIST, Has Removed to Wardell'. Buildings, CU-hel Sfreet, Christchurch. TeVphonp 958 2 104 LLt WBLLIN OWEN, MCSM. CEETIFICATED & REGISTERED TEACHER STUDENTS prfpired for *ny Musical Examina'icn held in N.W Zealand, All brancheß <<l Music taught. Candidate- presented a. 1 x-nninationa 13? ; aver.ge marks ga ued, 94 per oent. HARVEST CHEQUES I TK order to m.ke room for the New Winter Goods (now oo the water) we have resolved to dear iur eurplu. Stock ab greatly reduced prices. Our weliknown HIGH CLASJS TAILORING. Fashionable Vicuna Suits reduced to £3 ID. Gash* Fashionable Berge Suit, reduced to £3 103 Cash, Fashionable Tweed Bulta reduced to £3 10a Cash. Fashionable Tweed and Wor_ted Trousers to measure reduced to 15. Cash. far Largeit Stock in A_hburton to select from CRAIGHEAD & BEhRYMAK The Leading Tailors and Outfifctere. Athburton.



3 Q AMPLEB Bought; at a Large Discount— O Lvdiea' Gloves, Hosiery, and Ties, only 3 one of each kind, Wholesale Prices—-W H P i-ABOE, Cash Draper 3 ,_ , , —— . 6 €» is I ® i GREAT Stoels-alctiie. Reductions I AT TUB 1 NEW ZEALAND _Ti LOTHING FACTORY iyLO THING JC AC TORY Boys' Straw Hate reduced to 6i 7 Men's Straw Hats 7a6d reduced to 2. Men's Hard and Soft Felts Is Men's Black Soft Felts, 2. 6d Men*- Drab Soft Feltß, 5. 6d Boys' Tweed Caps, 3d and 6d Boya' Tweed Hat?, 6d and Is OLOTHING- Boys* Tweed Suits reducpd to 5s 6d Boys' Tweed and Cord Knickers Men's Tweed Trousers 7s 6d ' Men's Tweed Sac Suits, 2is These odd lines have all been thrown oat for ABSOLUTE SALE, bo come early. 'IHE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAOTOJRY F. H. BEOKINGSALE, Manager : i WANTED every one to try Melloe's Zealandia Boob Stors for wonder* ' ful value.



LIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND GLOBE INSURANCE COMPANY. Fiie Reserve Fund, £2.040,000 Funds over Tea Million Pounds Sterling MR JOSEPH WARD having resigned bhe Agency of this Company ab JL-bbu.-On, Clients and other, are Informed that MB J. B. CHRISTIAN Burnett Street, ha. been appointed as his aucce.aor! The Company Is noted for its liberality and ptomptue.s of settlement of oiaimß. BIRD AND ADLEY, 1 74 M.nager., Chr«tohuroh



IS THAT BOY READY For Bis Fext Pair of BOOTS "TXTB Have on hand a large assortment of BOOTS AM) I-HOBS Built for just the wear tint Boys and Girls can give th.m. SCHOOL BOOTS, LIGHT AND STRONG, At Prices to suit the Working Man, D. STOCK'S BLUE BOOT STORE Burnett Street, Aebburton



BUSINESS NOTICES SPECIAL SALE, NOW ON. GEANT AND MOORE, SAUNDERS' BUILDINGS, ABBBTJ RTON IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY YOU OUGr M. X 1- O: ARE YOU ABOUT TO BUILD? DO YOU REQUIRE DRY FLOORING?] DO YOU RFQUIRE DRY MATCH LINING ? DO YOU REQUIRE DRY MOULDING IJP SO, WE OAN EXECUTE YOUR ORDEBS WITH DESPATCH. Our New Steam Sawmills are now in full swing, and Orders en.r_tß.el to us will receive prompt attention, Gate, and Hurdles snppl.ed to order. W. H. COJ_J_INS & CO,, IRONMONGERS, PAINTERS, TIMBER & COAL MERCHANTS. East and West Streets, Ashburton. Telephone 14 P.O. Box 35



TO OUR CLIENTS AND FARMERS OF THB ASHBURTON COUNTY, IX7 E ARE OASH BUYERS OF WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY, and GRASS SEEDS, and as hitherto, are prepared to pay BEST MARKET RATES. In good or bad seasons, if the quality of the grain be good, bad, or indifferent, whether prices be high or low, we have always been in the market, and for this reason we claim to be supported in seasons, as the present one, when outsiders are competing for the purchase of certain kinds of grain only, which they happen to be in want of. We ask our friends to give us toe offer of their produce before committing themselves elsewhere, and guarantee to give highest prices for any samples that may ba submitted to us. FRIEDLANDER BROS., LTD,



J. WILSON HAS Just received ANOTHER 10 Bales of Lov-ly WALL PAPERS. INCLUDED in the Shipment are some beautiful Designs in Dining Room, Bedroom, and Hall Papers. Persons desiring to choose their Papers _rom]the full etosk may have them Said aside until required. HOUSE PAINTING. THTS part of the "business receives our special attention, none but GENUINE Oils and White Lead beiog used. Thorough tradesmen sent to town or country at shortest notice. Sign-writing a specialty. I h*ve a Choice Selection of PICTURE FRAME! MOULDINGS. Frames made to order on the premises. J OHM Wl____feSO_N __________ ij__j_j_i_uibi_li_iii___jiiiiii nmmu—Mn-iw-—— i_i____ii__in_rn__n_n__ri-_i» mwiwiini-iii— jmi--i _»wii»»i mi urn ■11 in ■ him. AN ADVANTAGE APPKECIATED BY TOWN AND COUNTRY ALIKE. ALCORN'S SALE. oßMf^!SZr ulas



THE LAST DAYS OF SALE OF GIBBARD VS STOCK GIBBARD'S STOCK GIBBARDS STOCK BARGAINS BARGAINS BARGAINS Gent's Natural Pante, Bale price Is 61 (rent's Merino half Hose,   81 Gent'a Soft Felt Hats „ „ la lid Genb'e Tweed Suits   22a Ladies 1 Fast Dyed Hose „ „ 10|1 Ladies' Lisle & Cotton Gloves „ 6d Ladiws Unbreakable Corsets  , s 2a 6d Ladies' Summer Sioglets   91 LOOK HERE LOOK HERE Hem Stitched Handkerchiefs Is 9d half dcz.n White Calioo for lining 2s 91 dozen Ploral Art Muslin 2s lid drx.n Paper Collars 3d box, Bibs 3d. DRESS GOODS DRESS GOODS DRESS GOODS Less than Ohrlstohurch Prices. Floral Black Silk finish Lusters 7s 6d Dress ALL BCDUOED. Linoleum., Floorcloths, Curtains, Sheet, ing, Towels, Toilet Covers, Quilts, Counterpanes I Good Wa.hing Prints 3. 9d dcz .n. B Ing your ready Money and get good Goods in Exoh&nge THE POLYTECHNIC. Late GIBBARD 8, Tanored Street. HTBVFHTFKH" Try McDONALD So CO, Till fIDO Burnett fl ILU XO. Street 2 112 E wise and save money. Boy your ; Boots and Shoos at Mellor's Sealandia Boot Stout,



" THE MAN IN BLUE. The € bobby,' the 'copper,' the 'peeler* 1 or whatever you choose to call the policeman, plays an important part, for he helps to maintain the law. The man or woman who offends against society Is in danger of being arrested. Those who offend against the laws of health are not arrested, but pay the penalty in years of suffering. Careless eating is the highway to stomach troubles, dyspepsia, and [ disordere of bhe liver and kidneys. If you are suffering, iuapey's May Apple will pub you right. This ideal family medicine is a certain and effective remedy for eonstlpatlon, indigestion, and all stomach complaints. Sold by *U grocers and chemists at __- 6d per bottle, Jam Making Season—Any of our readers wanting Jam, Jelly, or Preserving Pans, could nob do bebber than read Messrs Fletcher Bros advertisement, as they have a great many kinds bo choose from, and their prices are bedrock. Owing to being auoh a phenomenal Fruib Season throuKhoub the county, there la likely to be a shortage in , Jam Jars, so any one requiring any should buy while prices are low, ' Holms Cycles—The display of Hollis oycles now on viasv ab John Orr & Go's ia well worthy of inspection by all cycling enthus iasts. These maohinss are made froßs genuine B S.A parts by the celebrated gunmakers, I. -Joilis $ Sons, Birmingham, which should be sufiicienb gs?arai_t.e_ of their efficiency. _ The models we havo ssen are superbly f niched, and the high standard of _aualjty attained j In the manufacture of bhe Hollis bioyolp has be.n moab rig-Sly maintained, Wades Teething Powders for ' Babies are soothing, reduce fever and prevent; Uo.ches; prioe, U



CANADIAN SEAWEED CURE. When y@u feel those sharp twinges of pain and realise that yon are rheumatic or gouty, do nob despond, You need nob suffer long It you sy.ll bi^fc accept the suggestion and try the Great Danadian geaweed Cure It expels the excessive tpi^acldfrom the system and dissolves snd eHm.Ba.es tfis sediments and deposits and effects s, permanent cure. Sold by Geo W Wilton and all chemists,-^-Advt §moke New Vepj!



We wish to notify our readers that Messrs Fletcher Bros Seoond Tea Competition olos_B on February 28th, _o that all who hold Coupons must send them in before the above dabe^ if they wiab bo have a chance in this Prise Distribution i.on pah depend on ridding yopr Children of Worp-§i srith Wadete Worm Figs, the wopderft.l worm worriers pr>ce is



A WOBLD WIDE REPUTATION Chamberlain's Obllb, Cholera arid Biar rhj_* . Remedy hag'a world wide reputa.lqw fcfclti cure?. It peyer fails and is pleasaqb to tafee, For sale by Ashburton Drug Go?



Wade?s Worm Wim at-e mm% effective and not unpleasant; children thrive after taking the_n pice, Is