common sense recommendations, and we have much pleasure in recording the' wholesome advice and suggestions which emanated from those who took an ~ active part ini the, meeting. The remarks of‘Mr. Bourn, are, ai may be seen, very inpTi eaUe to yeomen of this locality , add hie suggestion that each agricultural district should be canvassed with the' view of bb t&ining more general amalgamation and support of the farmers, is, to say the least, anAxcbedißgly happy and practicable one, well worthy of the earnest consideration of every ‘‘tiller of the soil* in this and (he other adjacent leading agricultural districts. Mr. Bateman, is ioo, we think, tb be oomplimented for several able sug gestions, some of his remarks being of a veryipractioable character. V While . advocating a more general and liberal support of the Christchurch Gpm Exchange, it may, perhaps, be worth mentioning ..that, the policy of trading through ; what are known aia the ‘ * Middle men lbi&,becoming more and more recog ,-nised by farmers and others as being best - calculated - to. advance the individual in :tiafrests ; of producers in general; enabling rthmp Jh>. employ the;r time and capital to adyantage. Inasmuch ns there is :Ah -.f* the saving by such a ' system of ; ;' : dealing is obvious, . and, for OUT own we entirely fail to see * liny logical objection to producers be -COiUingtVoirownshipping agents, through the' Medium of their Corn Exchange ; -providing they are able to obtain the neoessary support to enable them to suc ■ ;eeaafnUy do so, .In spite - of the strenuous .opposition of (he. Hon. Colonel Brett, at ' ■ timiUte.nreetipgj to such a proposal, in - ■ ooriopiniop. the worthy .Chairinan bad the' ■ , i best nf .the argument.; The Corn Exchange ■ . would, in course of time, if well and sub-

.i r suppirted. really be-- in an ; analogous position to what is now under . the. .existing order of things', occupied ;by .Ttthe -waTl-td do middlemen ; and it .. ie .that theiildividaalß who sup ■ .ported thelnatitution . would proportiou- which is now ■; ipto other channels. We, there . ; fore,-recoirimend the subject as a fitting one forjthe reflective and intelligent agri cultural capitalists of this extensive and rapidly ming. district. ,

.Enlargement' op The ,Wq have' veby great pleasure in advising ; ore numerous subscribers and patrons that (lib naw machine for the enlargement of the “ Guardian” arrived in Ashburton yesterday/ and the gas engine which is to drive it* is expected nexc week. ; No time willlie h»t : no\V hi tasking the paper Jthesizopronnsed when-we started, viz., the. same as the Christchurch “ Press,” and wa, trust that the undertaking to Tne t the wishes of such a large portion qf the merchants,, farmers,<fec.v Will continue to receive fthe ever-increasing Support and patronaeexffthe residents throughout the County vP^hhnrton.

The Effect op the Land Bill.— The clause in the Land. Bill, allowing a re bate oh the price of land sold to persons who came out to form special settlements, which clause'was strnck out by the House of Representatives, will cause a Joss of L 12,000 to MnYesey Stewart, theKatikati settlement founder. . ; :<Tas> Pirns Brigade’s Well in North East Stbekt.-t— The contractors for the

sinkingof Ne well opposite the Herald pffice J iiiTd encountered < a difficulty on they did calculate. It -will, be remembered' that when. tjie pipe-well was 1 sunk, the earth was excavated to a cpn sideraiblb' dopth tu allow , the heavy pipes « ‘ tobetfidreeasilydriven.' In-sinking the new ; -Wfill -On the same site, .with a yiew. to the '' savfti# of the old. pipes, the: extractors find,that the old. excavations hate made - earth too treacherous for 1 their irifety, and the ■ sides.of their shaft keep bulging inwards.: It.wilV be neces saiyto draverthe pipeaarid if possible secure the timber already used, and then »b«»d6n f ihe woek&ga, opening another ‘ shaft' a fc«sards south, so that more sold . i ■ Tym Oy.ißonvy an .-imunce/that the liquidators' of the Glas- - gow Bank wfll’ pay a- final divi -A furthet dividend has been ah- Ki' ' ■■ have hfyai anytMtig*. but summerlike . and . sU ihe.iqtt ot ' thing we are aocus vl tOmed to! .in, rtKifc' 'district- at' this season. The' much jpumbled-at' clerk seorned to , have , taken departure,’’ and to have-gone irom tbe eitremo of hot nor’- . to ,the other extreme of cold steady dmriißg .wejL, The aforesaid , clerk was. just as unpopular with his excess of he was last year with: his .never, ending nor’-west -“ busters,” ahd farmers. .■ tn think-that the antipodes:of last. ■ < evib had foineiipon them this year, ,\ jvwt > at; a thne when their hopes of a full ... MOT’!.wefe.at their highest. On Friday. ]aftei»OW», however, the wind, J which/ had ’ - Wowing from , the iV threatening nor’-east, chopped .round te thf '" nor’-west, . and continued .Saturday’s weather, was something very hpt, tfcp thermometer ' Standing' «tfe-:7A; in the .shade, and the i •barometer .falling as‘ low as 1 Wo liavo seen ft a day. The latter indicated a jmoe per’-west b!ow,and an . hour or so , midnight ?on ' Saturday it came in ,! «a|offld- v ' r A -modified gust, with fa ./ ‘ clouds, iol- dust» has con. ' noma op' %6 : the ■ tinm We now write, and there is eveiry prospoct that warm weather •; iwilli’Jsont«me? ..Warm, wdatheris what n>\ R hd : ncjw .that it has us -r beftnp,. shVarspp&f haVef again risen. The f season, will not do m snybarm yet, Avoraara CAtJOHT.THPonstable Boab »*f«. mopt interviewed a, candidate' for a h-V Miteink”/ whd !iried! to chaff 1 ■< repmehtafive «H*w order, but the : .'i ‘fewHdf the Resident ; Mwfrtyftte before his by*s,r arrested him, ;i; e MMto.soine purpose,, lor bn ‘ the prisoner *1 thh^«iial J oraeal of search in Je 'a was r discovered among f teajS “ wanted/’ AS. froma schoolmaster ■8 )KATOK. —The woman iitpwjapds of2o 'years, idworkedas A miner, Ifio speculators at LSO terself on the stage. a. —’l3ie ‘Botomahaua !'dbOu«ie;-via Hobart including stoppages, aten.this passage for

Harvesteb Trial. — A. trial of the harvesters at Gawler, New South Wales, tpok place on the 17th for tne Government bonus of L4OO. 31 competitors entered.

■ Chiarini’s Circus.— On Monday, Jan. 6th, we are to be visited by one of those kinds of amusements which always draw a crowd in any part of the world, no matter whether they be good, bad, or indifferent, and we have seen all sorts in Ashburton. From all accounts, the pre vious efforts of equestrians, acrobats, tigers, and ferocious animals of all de scriptions, are about to be eclipsed by Chiarini’s Circus, and if newspapers in other parts of the Colony where Chiarini has visited don’t tell fibs, then we have a treat before us. One of them says;—The opening of the entrance an hour before the commence ment of the performance, affords oppor tunity for a leisurely inspection of the animals located in the outer tent. Of the three adult tigers, two are males, and they have been named Brutus and Caesar. The latter is the largest specimen, and is probably as good an example as could be found in any menagerie. The female, Nell, gave birth to her three cubs on Oct. 10 last, when three days out from Honolulu, so that they are now about ten weeks old. That they have thriven admirably may be inferred from the fact that the weight of each is 161 b. When they'are two years’ old their training will be commenced, and they will be quickly taught to fear their keeper, instead of— as some of the spectators might imagine— entertaining an affection for him. The short tether of the buffalo is a pretty sufficient indication of the brute’s temper. His keeper considers it is a “ merciful dispensation of provi dence” the animal exhibits a most un usual peculiarity in having turned down instead of turned up horns. This buffalo is occasionally ridden by Mr. Warner, who “gets up” as,a Comanche Indian, and “the trouble ”, is in the dressing tent, where, if the brute’s temper happens ; to be at all ruffled, an hour may be occupied in the endeavor to get on his back. In the ring itself he is kept within due limits by the aid of a stout rope passed round the central pole. The two zebras shown are both females ; the male fell a victim, in Chili, to the eccentricity pf the buffalo. With regard to the performance in the ring, it is but common justice to state'that the trick acts introduced by Mr. J. Holloway, one of the clowns, are veryclevcr. He is specially good in his changes of costume, one of which is ef fected while vaulting through a hoop, the loose attire' being apparently arranged within the paper covering of the hoop, so as to be literally jumped into. A Brave Soldier. —The bravery of Lieutenant Hamilton nt Cabul deserved (says a Home paper) to be recorded by the side of Chard, Bromhead, and Meri ville. They say that the gallant officer fought like a young tiger in defence of the British Residency. He is a modern Hofatius Coccles, who stood alone against an over-whelming host. He made three distinct charges at the head of the suite upon the' fatal gun that was being fired upon the Residency by the insurgents, and on each charge he slew several men with his hand. “When will his glory fade ? Oh, the wild charge he made.” At the third charge so terrific was the impetus of the boy’s attack that he actually suc ceeded in silencing the gun single-handed. But there was no honor among the thieves this time. The Afghans all directed their pieces at him alone. They fired, and the young officer fell down dead across the gun. Wanted Change. —A rather amusing incident happened recently on the New Plymouth-Inglewood line. The railway guard, seeing a lady waiting at one of . the signal stations, as if wishing to be taken up, accordingly gave the signal for stop ping the train. Much, however, to his surprise, he found (says the “ Taranaki Herald ”) that the lady was not an intend ing passenger, but merely wished to know if he could oblige her with change for a pound note ! We wonder if the guard gave .her thp change ?

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

Special.) London, undated. General Gough marched to Gundamak, attempting to occupy Jagdalak Pass. The hostile tribes, ,in overwhelming strength, checked his advance and seriously im perilled the force of General Migent. A strong detachment is advancing by forced marches to the relief., In- response to an appeal by the Viceroy, Lord Napier of Magdala has been sum moned from England. He will probably be entrusted to conduct the Afghan war. The* Nihilists attempted to assassinate the Governor of Moscow, but he is un injured. Calcutta, Dec. 19. Notwithstanding the open hostility of the tribes preventing, the marching of the troops previously, General Gough started from Gandamak for Oalml on Nov. 17. He encountered no opposition, and marched all day. He telegraped on the 18th that he had met with no serious opposition. Norman, with a strong force, is co-operating with Gough in maintaining communication.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Renter's ) Sydney, Dec. 21. Arrived—Torres Straits mail steamer at Cooktown.

The barque Adelphoi lias been wrecked at Port Hackling. The crew were all saved. She was insured for L2OOO in the New Zealand Insurance Company. Of the two Chinamen discovered in a suburb of Sydney afflicted with leprosy one was poisoned, and is supposed to have committed suicide. The other was taken away late on Saturday night to La Perquse, close to the landing place of the New Zealand cable, and put in a tent near the beach. This is a favorite picnic ground, and great indignation has been also manifested by the cable and Custom House people. A strong remonstance has been sent to the Premier. This action means the absolute isolation of the cable state, ahd will possibly affect telegraphic communication with New Zealand. It is hoped that the New Zealand Government I wifi remonstrate with Sydney. Great . alarm is felt, as the disease is of a most 1 loathsome form.

Svi -;r, Dec 22. The -'v i' it le pedestrian contest ■: v nours.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

v: :d, Dec. 20. The membtic . . Roman Catholic community are making arrangements for the reception of Archbishop Stein. Dec. 21. A strong westerly gale, with squalls of rain is blowing. It is feared the continu ous wet weather will injure farming operations, Auckland, Dec. 22. A fire broke out at the house of Stephen Dailey, Mount street. It was suppressed by the neighbours. There was only a child three years old in the house at the time, and it was asleep. At midnight another fire broke out in the house of Theodore Brown, which was destroyed. The origin of the fire was the upsetim* of akerosene lamp. Graham, Brown’s father-in-law, in jumping out at a back window, fell, injuring his spine. A fire occurred at noon in Harper's Buildings, Victoria Quadrant. It broke out on the roof, and arose, it is believed, from a : p irk from an adjoining chimney. The heus j was gutted, but the furniture saved.

Napier, Dec. 21. The Sunbeam, schooner, belonging to Auckland, bound from Poverty Bay to Napier with firewood, capsized this morn ing opposite the Bluff, when only a few yards from the shore. The crew of two men, who owned the schooner, got on the keel, from which they were taken much exhausted, by the barque Lurline. The tug went out to try and get the schooner ashore, but a high sea was on, and she could not attach a rope to the vessel, which is still floating about the harbor, and drifting to sta. the wind being off the land. Another attempt will be made to save the vessel when the wind lulls.

All yesterday, to a late hour, the Supreme Court was occupied hearing the case of Price v 1 lenata, an action to re cover compensation for alleged malicious prosecution. About .six months ago Renata, a well known chief, criminally prosecuted Price and Donnelly for con spiracy in connection with the sale of several racehorses, which were offered by auction. The Grand Jury threw out the bill, and this action was to recover damages. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for one shilling, and the Judge refused to certify for costs. Messrs. Buller -■and Ilcos conducted Renata’s case.

New Plymouth, Dec. 21. The jury in Hill’s case, for indecent as sault, were locked up last night, not being able to agree. They were brought up again this morning at 6.30, and discharged, when the Court adjourned till Monday morning. Hill will be tried again by another jury. Mr. T. King was elected without op position for the vacant scat on the Harbor Board.

Heavy floods have occurred in the dis trict. At Waingonati a mass of large pines and other timber broke loose above Mr. Brown’s saw-mill, and carried away-.the embankment of a dam, and a bridge, his private property. A heavy fresh came down last evening at 10 o’clock, which caused the s.s. Hanraki to break aw&y from her moorings. Fortunately, her anchor got foul of the cable by which the p.s. Coomerang was moored, and also of a large snag, which held her until she was secured, otherwise she would have come to grief.

Wellington, Dec. 20.

Owing to the heavy rains this morning several shops were flooded to various depths. A presentation was made to Mrs. R. C. Reid by the staff of the “New Zea lander,” yesterday, on the steamer Pen guin, previous to her dopfirture South. Wellington, Dee. 22.

A woman named Jessie Walker was sen tenced to one hour’s imprisonment, at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, for being found in the public streets in male attire. Pout Chalmers, Dec. 20. After seven weeks’ spell of north-east wind a change to south-west has set in. Dunedin, Dec. 20.

The “ Times,” in a leader this morn ing, condemns the employment of 4 laborers by Government at the rate of wages given to the unemployed, and says that it creates a pampered and pauper class, and deprives contractors, whose tenders are based on a normal state of wages, of a fair profit. It also mentions that con tractors for Waitahuna have found a partial remedy by employing Chinese. Jf relief is required, it asserts a wage of 5s or 6s should be given.

A number of workmen on Prichard's re clamation contract struck work yesterday, but the contractor is confident he can obtain plenty of labor at current rates. At the meeting of the Walton Park Coal Company, a dividend of five per cent, was declared. The Company’s nett profit for the year was a little over 10 per cent. The Otago Rifle Association gathering was finished yesterday. The consolation match, ranges 200, 400, and 500 yards, was won by Volunteer Creagh, of the Citv Guards, with a score of 42. The Cadet match was won by the Dunedin Naval Brigade. The long distance match, any rifles, was postponed for a month. The Douglas Hotel, Princess street, was sold by auction on Saturday for L 5360 cash, to Mr. Robert Wilson, with good will, plant, and book debts. The “ Evening Tribune ” newspaper was offered at auction on Saturday, and passed in at a reserve of LSOO. The highest bid was L 450. The ketch Huon Belle, as she lies stranded on Goat Island, was sold to Cap tain Sutherland, for L6O. Dunedin, Dec. 22.

A telegram, dated 11th December, has been received from Mauritius, reporting a further advance of L 4 per ton in fill sugars. The Harbor Bpard have appointed Messrs. Ramsey, Fish, Walcott, Houghton, and Captain Logan to confer with the Engineer as to whether any works at pre sent in progress can be discontinued pend ing the Board receiving Parliamentary authority to borrow money. Atthe R. M. Court this morning, Mr W. L. Simpson, R.M., delivered judg ment on the petition of Messrs. Walters and two other ratepayers, praying that Mr. H. S. Fish, jnn., be ousted from the position of Mayor of Dunedin, on the ground that he was a sub-contractor for the new Town Hall. The judgment un seated Fish, and declared Walters to be next on the poll and duly elected. '

A house belonging to Mr. Alollison, and situated at Otaria, was burned down on Friday. Two b. ys were arrested on suspicion of arson. The house was un inhabited, and isolated. It was insured for L2OO in the Sun Oilice. IXVERCAKGTTL, Dec i'2

A man named rh-wles G. Lugungdahl, a Swede, coinraitcud suicide o:«iy day morning. When !V ■-d by t l --' con stable he was hanging by a rope .Vm.. i pole used for a clothes line, in the yard at the back of the Clarendon Hotel, where he had been staying. Deceased was about fifty years of age, and arrived from Melbourne, where he was a clerk in Spence Bros.’ establish ment. About six weeks ago Ids wife went home from Melbourne, but deceased was unable to go from want of funds, and came here to better his position. He had been in low spirits since his arrival, and in a letter addressed to townsmen here, who assistedhim, he says his nervous sys tem is ruined, and that suspense and dis appointment have done for him. An in quest will be held. Several sections eastwards of the town were sold on Saturday night, at an average of L 275 per acre.

TERMINATION OF THE BASUTO WAR.

[By Telegraph.] The Orient steamer brings news of the conclusion of the Basuto war by the rapture of Moirosio’s stronghold, and the death of the Basuto chief. After shelling the mountain three days and nights, on Nov. 19ih the British force, under Colonel Ilayb.y, assaulted it from five different positions. The enemy, not being taken by surprise, kept up a brisk fire, and rolled stones on the besiegers. The native allies of the British, carrying scaling ladders, dropped them at the sound of the first shot. The riflemen picked up the ladders, and one 23 feet in length being placed against the sloping rock the first man to mount was Lieutenant Springer, at whom thoßasutos fired point blank. Ho had a narrow escape, one bullet passing through Ids hat, and strik ing the rock close to him. Ho was quickly joined by other riflemen, and they held the position until others came up. Once' on the top the men fixed bayonets, and charged in lino right ac ross the mountain, carrying all before them. For about ton minutes some severe bayonet work went on, both inside and on top: Moirusi was shot in the breast in the assault, and a bullet struck him in the neck. After the assault he was found dead in a cave, into which he had crawled. Doda, a son of Moirosio, sfdd-he was the only nan of importance in the mountain who was not killed. Oar casualties were six killed and wounded. For the gallant manner in which Lient. Springer mounted the scaling ladder, he was gazetted a c;q t tin.

PRIZE DAY AT THE SCHOOLS.

THE BOROUGH SCHOOLS.

Yesterday was the day fixed by the School Committee for the distribution of prizes to the pupils who had been success ful in gaining them in tho annual ex amination of the Borough schools, which this year was kindly conducted by the Revs. W. E. Paige and A. M. Beattie, witli'thc’a'Cnrty that was expected to mark any examination conducted by two such scholars. These rev. gentlemen finished their three days’ work on Friday last, and their task was no light one, as their re turns of the work done showed, from which they adjudicated tho prizes. The teachers and Mr. Ward had a not very easy task allotted to them yesterday in writing the inscriptions upon the large number of prizes given and filling up the certificates of merit, and when all was ready for tho work of distribution, it was far past three o’clock when about 400 young faces turned in the direction of Dv. Stewart’s platform, from the two rooms adjoining each other that were made use of to accommodate parents and scholars. Tho infant room was full as usual, ami under the charge of Miss Stewart, while Mr. Stott attended to the older children in the main room. On the platform with the Dr. was Mr. Ward, the Oommitte’s Secre tary, and other teachers. The prizes were distributed by

Dr. Stewart, the Chairman of the Com mittee, who, in performing the duty said, —Ladies and gentlemen, this is the second time on which 1 have had a very pleasant duty to perform—that of distributing the prizes to the successful scholars at the Ashburton School. I may say that the examination has been a thorough one, and the result of it ought to be gratifying alike to parents, teachers, and pupils. The reports of the gentlemen upon whom the onus of fixing the recipients of the prizes devolved, will show that they had a difficult task, no less than 200 names having been given in as deserving of com mendation ; but, owing to a want of support being given towards the prize fund by the parents of the children and others, it was found that the Committee were not able to carry out their intentions in that direction as liberally as they would have wished to. It was not fair to the examiners that the Committee, should ho placed in such a position, as they were only able to give 112 prizes, and the balance of those recommended would have to be satisfied with letters of commendation. He hoped at next annual meeting a more liberal spirit would be shown, and those parents who refused on this occasion, under the im pression that their children would not receive a prize, would disabuse tlioir minds of any unfairness on the part of (lie examiners, as the pupils bad been put to a severe test throughout, and those who deserved the prizes best had been awarded them.

The Chairman's speech was received by the numerous pupils with vociferous cheering, which was continued all through the presentation of tho prizes. "The following prize* were then pre sented to tho successful pupils, ‘several prizes for special subjects wore kindly given by three or four old friends of the school. Poize List. Ist. glass. Reading, dictation and spelling, gram mar and geography—lst division; .1, G. Quartennan ; 2, Ernest Febon ; 3, Annie Perumiu. 2nd division: I, Emma Bean; 2, Agnes Fowler ; 3, Weymouth Roberts. Arithmetic ami Euclid.—lst division ; i, Bertie Stewart and 11. Felice (equal) 2, Jus. Hepburn. 2tm division : 1, Richard Ryan and Bora Henderson (equal); 2, John Hurst.

Writing and drawing—lst division : 1, Ik, riodder ; 2, A. Innis; 3, B. Stewart. 2nd division : 1, Emma Bean ; 2, Dora j H -nderson ; 3, A mic Felton and Joan St wart (oqu -I). 2 cn pl \ss IlisMoy, ge 'giap iy, •_ .am a r, re ; dug, spelling, and reritati n —l, L. Worrier ; |2, A. iTo: : A. Form m. i l.Law'ug and w. iting— I, E’iza Potto • | and AT.a. Onset, (equal) ; 2, Soyhi. : Shiny. j Ar, t., in ji:o—l, Ldly Worrier ;2, Emma j Perryman ; 3, William Berry. I 3rd class. j Reading, spelling, dictation, grammar, geography, and i-ecitation : 1, Benjaman Ede ; 2, Harry Preston. —2nd division : 1, Sophia Permain, highest marks in all subjects ; 2, Henry Burfoot : 3, Percy Hurrell. Writing—lst division : 1, Jas. Hancox; 2, Nelly Barrett.—2nd division: 1, Joseph Ivess ; 2, Isabella Wilkie ; 3, Sophia Permain. Drawing—l, Alice Watkins ;2, Edward Parkin. Aiidnnetic— Ist division : 1, Tilly Wil liams ; 2, I>. Ede ; 3, F. (laukrodger.— 2nd division : 1, Joseph Ivess; 2, Win, Ryan ; 3, Alt. .lamieson. ■Jtii CLASS. English—l, Stella Henderson ; 2, IT. Fooks : 3, R. I.eggiut. Writing and Drawing—l, Amy Ede ; 2, Flora Williams ; 3, Herb. Fooks. "'Arithmetic—], \V. Williamson ; 2, Aug. Wo riser ; 3, Mar. Pearson. ;i:h class. Rending, spelling, lecitation, and geo graphy—l, Annie 'Watkins ; 2, Oh. Clark; 3, Ada Pearson, Janet Smith, and Annie Caul (equal). Writing —.l, Annie Gaul; 2, Alice Hughes ; 3, Walter Mills and Annie Bean (equal). Arithmetic—l, William Potter; 2, Jane Foreman ; 3, Ethel Andrews. <;t.u glum. Reuling and Spelling ; 1, Jas. Gauk rodger ; 2, Ang. Slntry ; 3, El. Women Writing: Jas. Gaukrodger; 2, Harry Mills. Arithmetic; I, Jas. Gaukrodger ; 2, Alice Grind o. 7tk class. English—lst division; 1, R.. 1 Lan caster; 2, Henry Byrne ; 3, Ad, Empson. 2nd division ; 1, Geo. Gaukrodger; 2, Fanny Byrne. Writing—lst division : I, Kewrich Meynell ; 2, Ada Simnmmls ; 3, Annie Gridin. 2nd division: Emily Colton and Aland Williams equal. Arithmetic— lit division; 2, Edith Hughes. 2nd division : Mary Crumb and Geo, Gaukrodger. firn class. Reading and spelling: 1, Win. Millerand Sissy Ryan equal ; 2, Ethel Gates and May Williams equal. Arithmetic : John Ryan. girls’ work. Sewing : 1, Constance Andrews ; ?, Dora Henderson : 3, Agnes Fowler. Second class—l, Mary Hurst ;2, Alary Rolens ;3, Sophy Permain. Third class Florence Williams. Fourth class Aland Wil.iams (a complete tea service.); Fancy Work; 1, Annie Permain; 2, Dora Henderson ; 3, Winnie Cookson. Knitting ; 1, Annie Gatos ; 2, Matilda Williams ; 3, Edith Pilkington. Special Prizes. Mapping : Henry Felton (box of water colors.) Drawing : Bora Henderson. General Progress; Felton, Quarterman, Innis, and Constance Andrews. Bible History ; J. Henderson. History ; Felton, Quarterman, and Innis. Recital ion : Nelly Barratt. Good Conduct : George Pearce, Isabella Williamson, Edith Pilkington, Bessy Si n inons, Percy Cookson. Diligence ; Triphina Butler. Gymnastics ; 1, R. IT odder ; 2, IT. Burfoot ; 3, Bertie Stewart. Tim following are the reports of the examiners “ The Alan sc, Dee. 20, 1370. “ Aly dear sir, —The enclosed lists are the results of my share of the exam in i fion of your school at the request of the Board. As it may he impossible for mo to attend at the distribution of prizes on Monday, I may say here, hi a word, that in my opinion, in present cir cumstances, your school in every de partment is all that could be desired or expected. A remarkably healthy tone prevails the whole : the discipline is good, and it is particularly pleasing to observe the kindly feeling evidently existing be tween t lie teachers and the scholars in all classes. I found it very difficult to to decide the order of merit ‘as it is put in those lists, because the merits of very many were so nearly equal, and therefore 1 hope that none of those whose names do not appear will bo discouraged on this account. In one class only (third class history) I judged it best not to give lists of names at all. Wishing you every suc cess in your arduous, interesting, and most important work, I am, v ith best re gards, yours very indy —A. At. Beattie. Mr. Stott." “ Ashburton, Deo, Rth, 1370. “ 1 he Chairman, “ Ashburton School Committee.

“ S'r, ■ln compliance with the request of the Gminuittoe, I assisted at tlie ex amination of the school on llio IGtli ;uul litli inut. ; and I have much pleasure in report ini' that the result- is most creditable to tho masters and pupils, and satisfactory to the parents ami Committee, Tim dis cipline of tlie school is good, and tlie interest shown by the jmpils in the ex amination is an, evidence of previous careful training and application. A very satisfactory percentage of marts has 'T r . n . Stained throughout. Nos. I and 11 divisions, Class j, with a, fen exceptions. In those cases I have no doubt but that the failure is to be attributed to infrequency of attendance. The papers of If- Felton. (Juiirtunmiin, and limes, in l-iistoi-y, C all for special notice, having obtained respectively 14(1, 1-10, 130 maiks. out of total of 150 given for that sup joct. Stewart also is to bo commended for his Fuel id. The arithmetic of the Ist, division, -class 1, yy.as slightly disap pointing, but- that, of the second division was very good. Many of tho pupils read with good inflexion of voice, and ap preciation of the subject', evidc-iving careful . instruction. .1 n!ao 'examined 'Miss Stewart’s reading class, and was much pleased with the result. 1 subjoin the prize list. Congratulating the master and teachers on tho elliciciicy of (he school, and tho pupils mi (heir industry and pro-, ress, lam. sir, yours faithfully'— W. E. Paiue..”

'l’n k Concert, At 8 p. m. the room was crowded to ex • cess, and the number of adults present sVu.ed 'be interest taken in the coming : genera m >n. 'IT e programme was a lengthy •oil'. ,• ~ " ’■risen one, and a well pev f r vi i i ; far butt, r and mor" el.j iy abl * ii tn ••>any ur>re ambitions perfonn ■ am- .. wo h •>witnes-ed, by both amateurs an > > r --nurds here ; and it sneaks well ‘ ■ b" ; taken the onus of t ... >. ig ‘be .a ..-..ie that ho hibb.-en so successful in so short a time, and well for the pupils that they have appreciated the reaching. The following programme was submitted to the audience and duly appreciated : Pianoforte solo—Miss A. Permain ; song —“Whip poor Will,” Miss W. Butler; recitation— “ Victoria Colonna,” Master Bertie Stewart ; pianoforte solo—Master Bertie Fooks ; chorus “ Our volunteers ” by about 20 vaices, followed by a volley from several fowling pieces, which ex tinguished all the candles in the school ; song—“ The gipsy maid’s refusal,” Miss A Fowler; duet—Misses Shury and Fowler. Mr. Wake, assistant teacher, then gave the “ Charge of the Light Brigade,” in uniform. A trio followed by Miss A. Permain (piano), Master H. Permain (violin), and Master (1. Savage (cornet), which elicited deserved applause. The next performer was a very juvenile one, Miss Emily Cotton, aged we should say five years, but with plenty of self confi dence, she sang “ The little brown jug,” in such a talcing way that, the audience de manded an encore, and she gave them “Please give me a penny,” in equally good stylo. Miss Henderson then treated the an Hence to one of Mrs. Candle’s cur tain lectures, choosing the one on the vexed question of shirt buttons to dilate upon, and her delivery was worthy of a matron with twenty years’ experience. This concluded the first portion of the programme, which, by the way, included the acting of two charades. The second part, commenced with a pianoforte duet by the Misses Shiny, followed by a scene from “ Dr. Pangloss,” in which Messrs. Mayo, Wake, and Stewart showed some histrionic talent ; then the choir again gave only too little of “ Tra la la,” fol lowed by Miss T. Butler with the “Dear little shamrock,” sung charmingly. A piano solo by Miss Barrett was warmly applauded, and a song by Miss A. Fowler, “ Our great old land,” met with the hearty applause of the audience. The duett by Misses Cotton aiid Williams delighted the audience, as such an effort from the tiny aspirants should. Next came a recitation by Master IT. Preston, “ The wind in a frolic,” followed by the favourite duet, “The gipsy counters,” by Misses Savage and ’Bean. A cornet solo by Master (100. Savage, and the usual screaming nigger farce, brought the programme to a close. The Chair man, Dr. Stewart, made some appropriate remarks, and the National Anthem brought a pleasant evening’s entertainment, both for young and old, to an end.

MR. D. DAVIDSON’S PRIVATE SEMINARY. Yesterday the boys attending the private seminary taught by Mr. D. Davidson, on the East Town Bolt, were examined by the Rev. Mr. Beattie iu the various sub jects they have had under study since the school opened in April. The lads allowed that they had a clear and intelligent con ception of the work they were examined in, and boro unmistakable evidence of having been taught with a view to the lessons Vicing understood, and not simply committed to memory with parrot-lixe rote. The rev. gentleman who con ducted the examination was very search ing in the work lie set the lads, and at the close ho expressed his satisfaction with the proficiency displayed by both of the classes in the school, and complimented the teacher on the result of his labors. He then pre sented the hoys, as per subjoined list, with l ory handsome prizes, kindly given by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. Bullock. Having only a limited number of scholars, Mr. Davidson is able to devote much attention to eacli individual pupil, and the result is very satisfactory. First Class—Subjects ; Reading, spelling and composition—l, P. O’Reilly ;2, G. Kidd. Second Class— Same subjects—l, Armor Orv; 2, J. Cawsey. Grammar— Senior division, P. O’.Reiily ; junior, J. Cawsey. Geography and History—Senior dr. ision, P. O’Reilly; junior, Armor Orr. Arkhnietic - Senior division, 0. Kidd ; junior, Armor Orr. Wilting—Seuiordivision, G. Kidd; junior, Hubert Gookson. General Progress— Malumra O’Reilly. Home Exorcise— Tom Hood, .John Clark, Latin—P. O’Reilly anil Armor Orr equal.

Captain Moonlight.

A history of tins desperado's career will ho of interest at the i>rescnt time. His veal name is Albert George Scott, and ho is now I>7 years of age. He was horn in the north of Ireland, was of respectable parentage, and was brought up as a civil engineer. When yet a youth ho emigrated to New Zealand, and joining (he volun teers there lie fought against the Maoris. In an engagement he received a charge of shot in both legs. The slugs were ex tracted, but they left their marks. Sub sequently ho came to Victoria, and having entered the Church of England, was stationed as a lay reader at Bacchus Marsh. Whilst administering to the spiritual wants of the district he became acquainted with the manager of the Eger tou Bank, and also with the schoolmaster of that township. Ho used to visit the hank manager very frequently, and was on tho most friendly and intimate terms with him. He also associated with the •schoolmaster. One night a man with a mask on his face, and armed, c alled at the hank, and hailed up the manager. The manager recognised (ho voice to he that of his friend Scott, hut this discovery did not have any deterrent etlect on the rob ber. Gagging; his friend, Scott marched him into the schoelliouse, which was close at hand, and made him write, and pin upon a desk the fol’mving lino Cap tain Moonlight lias stuck me up and robbed the hank." Ho then took him outside, tied him up in his gagged state to a tree, and having obtained possession of •the hank keys, he .ransacked the coffers, and stole upwards of J/2000 in notes, coin, anil cake gold. lie had a horse ready close by, ami immediately galloped to a neighboring township, seven miles distant. The journey was accompl shed in half an hour, and on his arrival lie asked several of his friends what o’clock it was. It was afterward* seen tl at this was on purpose, to prove an alibi, for ho

argued that as he was in this township half an hour alter the robbery, he could not have been the rubber. So successful was he in throwing suspicion off himself, that, the bank manager and schoolmaster were arrested at> the criuda&ls, and he ( fijott) was used by he Ijca’ <ol;,w ps a witness against 'them. Ac the trial the jury could not on the manager’s case, and he was discharged. The schoolmaster was admitted to bail, out was bound over to su ■ aider when called upon. In the meantime ijcott had „ gone to Sydney, and lived there for a brief period in very grand style. When his funds became about he purchased a yacht, and engaged a crew with the intention of trying his fortune in Fiji, or in the South Seas generally. It was, however 1 , discovered that ho had passed a valueless cheque for about Ll5O, and before he had got beyond Sydney Heads he was arrested. A charge of false pretences was established, and he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprison* ment. During is incarceration at Sydney it transpired t-iat Ire had sold the exact amount of a cake of gold that had been stolen from the Egerton bank to the Sydney mint. When his sentence ex pired he was therefore brought back in custody to Victoria, and a police court i vestigation having taken place, he was committed to stand his trial for the Egerton Hank robbery. Pending the trial he was lodged in the Ballarat gaol. <>n tlie night before the day fixed for his trial he cut through the wall of his cell occupied by aptisoner named Dermoodie. He made Dermoodie join him, and toge ther they managed to take off the lock of the cell door. They got out into the corridor just as a warder was approaching. Springing upon the warder, they choked and gagged him, and tied him up. They then relieved him of his beys, anil liberated four other prisoners. All six of them reached through the outer yard without any alarm having been raised. The wall being very high they were,at a loss as to how they could scale it. Scott’s genius, however, was equal to the occasion. A blanket was brought from a cell, and torn into stripes, which were then tied together, so as to form a rope. Scott then placed himself at the wall, a second man climbed up and stood on his shoulders, a third did the same and stoo l on the shoulders of the second, and so on until Scott bore the weight of all, five. They succeeded in doing this by means of their blanket rope, to which they had previously attached a heavy stone, throwing then the weighted end over the wail. The last man easily managed to seat himself on the top, and be then pulled up the one next him. The others scrambled up iii turn by means of the rope. The descent on the other aide was conducted in the satno way, the order of the opera tion being simply reversed. The six men thus all escaped. Three hundred pounds, or LSO each, was offered for their recap ture, and all but two were eventually arrested. Scott and Dermoodie stuck to gether, and the former obtained arms. As

they wore travelling together through the bush Scott intimated that it was his inten tion to stick up a bank. Dermoodie de clined to take part, saying they might have to take life, and their case was bad enough already. Scott thereupon turned upon him in a passion, called him a mean coward, and gave him five minutes to live. So convinced was Dermoodie that his time was come that he fell on his knees and pleaded with tears in his eyes for mercy. Scott relented, but kicked him away contemptuously. Shortly after wards the police authorities received ir formation that Scott was lurking abort some diggings in the- vicinity of Sand hurst. Detectives Brown and Alexandei and Sergeant (now Sub-inspector) Drought set out al once to effect his capture. They arrived at the place at about 2 o’clock ii the morning, and soon learned that the desperado was asleep iu a hut. The hi t was in charge of a boy who was working in the neighborhood. This lad was hunted up and questioned. He frankly told them that there was a man asleep in his hi t ami that he was fully armed. The hot was cautiously approached. Going rourd to the door Detective Brown could see through a chink a man lying on a stretcher, sleeping soundly. By his . hand stood a gun, and on a table lay a revolver and bowie knife. These things were easily recognised through a log being alight in the fireplace. How to enter without dis turbing or alarming the sleeper was, how ever, a question difficult to be solved. The door was made of heavy timber, it covered the old end of the hut, and rested on heavy side posts, An iron chain was passed through two holes in the centre, and through the loop of this chain in the inside was passed a ponderous bar, which was turned round so that its end had a firm grasp of the door posts. Detective Brown endeavored to push the bar aside by inserting a knife through a chink, but failed to move it far enough. Ha then gave this attempt .up, and resolved on using the boy as a snare for the t uffiail. The lad after much persuasion—for he was in mortal fear of being shot—consented to act as desired, >n Brown saying that he would . imp y have to speak frt m behind his back. The two then . took up their positions at the door, and in accordance with his instructions, the boy called out—- “Please, sir, will jou give me out my billy-can V’ A grunt from within was the only answer, and the request was re peated. Scott then demand id, “ What do you want it for?” The lad promptly answered, “for tea, it is now our tea time.” “ What o’clock is it!” inquired ■jCott, and the boy still speaking as he had been previously directed, said “Just 12 o’clock—our tea time.” There was a pause for a minute, and the detective feared that the scoundrel had discovered the truth, and was preparing to fight. He, however, exercised patience, and, by aiul-by, the bar was removed. The'door was then slightly opened, and a hand held out with a hilly-can. Brown at once seized the man’s wrist with a firm grasp, whilst the other he thrust a revolver int Ins face; and said, “ If you move you ar a dead man.” .The other officers cam promptly forward, and the fellow wj secured. He denied at first that ha n: Scott, but Brown settled hia identity 1 pulling up hia trousers and showing tl shot-marks in his legs. For escaping fro legal custody, the desperado was sentence (o 12 months’imprisonment in irons. I was also convicted and sentenced to ti years for the Egertow.Bank robbery. L conduct in Penti'idge has been already, a verted to in previous reports. Ho v, discharged in, March last, and has now y hope, committed his final outrage * i humanity.

T UEgPAy.DECEM B RR-2 3. IS?9, )

THE ASHBURTON uUA&DiAN,

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