Cptmdl of Nobles, and by the dignitaries of the church! This usurper was poisoned, and his son succeded him, only to be ass assinated with his mother to-make-room for the “ False Demetrius ’ who professed to bo the son of Ivan the. Terrible. Ke, too, fell a victim to the as-jiissin s r ki ife. He was buried in the ‘ ‘ Stranger- fa Field,’’ but the infuriated people'would Hot 1 per mit even the ashes df the Pretender to their “ holy” throne to’ reihaiii iti the grave. They burned his body, and mixed the calcined dust with powder and fired it from a cannon in the direction of Mos "cow. Shorusky, chosen by the mob, suc ceeded him, and he in his turn was de ' throned. Ladislas, a son of the King of Po land, was the next Czar, but he was opposed S' . the priests because he was a Latin thdlic. Michael Romanoff, a lineal des cendant of Kobyla, was the next aspirant to the throne, and Peter the Great, his ‘giutidson, succeeded him. Then com ' menced that thirst , for territory that has burned in the Russian breast to this day. He, like Ivan the Terrible, murdered his eldest son, but murder Was not the only 'stain upon his life. He married the mistress of two of his generals, a woman who had been the wife of a Swedish dragoon. Before his marriage with her, whUe her dragoon husband and Peter’s first wife were still alive, she bore the Czar‘two daughters. * Another of Peter’s "mistresses, an English woman named Hamilton, was executed for murdering an illegitimate child sh® bore- to Peter; and the Czar, so pure himself, accused his first wife of infidelity, and had the alleged paramoir impaled. Peter attended the execution to jeer at the unfortunate n.an, who was brave enough to spit in the face Of his unmanly sovereign. The Czar’s Swedish wife Catherine was in turn un ■ true to her lord, and he had her lover beheaded. before her eyes. Peter the Second succeeded this paragon of virtue, of whom the Russian nation is so proud, but he was very speedily deposed, and the Czarina . Anne ascended the throne. ’ She took up with a groom, who became the virtual ruler of the nation. Ivan the : "‘Sedtirid .succeeded Anne, but his reign • whk short, and after a sojourn in prison for eighteen years he was murdered. "Fllizabfeth followed, but the life she led is imnanyafthle, Prince Orloff strangled her successor,-' Peter . the Third. Peter’s widow,--Catherine the Second, succeeded hiip, .Hot character was a commixture of (Jebiuchery arid cruelty, and half the nobilityoftheland were accomplices in her infamy. Paul succeeded her :he was her son by a paramoui, and he was strangled at the instigation of bis own sons, after a five years* reign. Alexander the First was the next sovereign. He died in the Crimea in 1825. His brother ; Constantine, the “ butcher,” is famous for having atrociously murdered two women at Strelna in a manner that cannot be.described. We need not extend the enumeration of the Ronianofis’ crimes by detailing the evil doings of Nicholas in Poland and Circassia. We have shown enough from the black history of Russia’s sovereigns to leave the reader to imagine what the state ot a people must be who (tewe been ruled by such a catalogue of Liberty is a word unknown in the' land, and Campbell’s lines were terribly true, when, on the downfall of Poland, he said : Oh sacred Truth, thy triumph ceased a . while, And Hope; thy sister, ceased with thee to ‘smile.” W« r may condemn Nihilism as we may, but whan we consider the reign of terror under which the Russian people live, and the grinding oppression that has given birflir tAthe movement, we are constrained to find some palliation for the existence of • ail ulgSAi»tipT.Jbat haß for its aim the freedoni of its country—no matter how mMakeifits notions of freedom may be.

: - ' The' decision arrived at by Parliament oh ita 'lsstjßitting day, as to the adoption of the schedule of railways, was probably the wisest thing they have done among ' the many resolutions they have passed during the session. ■ They struck out of - ■; the list of authorised railways the major portion of the “ Nelson to Greymonth ” ■ Cahd the whole of' the “ Waikato to Tara j naki.” ■ lie first was one of the maddest . schemes ever propounded, by which to, - ruin the finances of the colony, and to - . breed a. feeling of distrust among the ‘ - English bondholders, by spending a million !a ?«fm'iney in constructing a line which could never be anything but . a white . ; elephant'to the railway department. The , country through which this line was to be constructed is of the roughest and most , . difficult, nature possible to imagine ; the • grades are steep, the. hill sides on which the.. formation would bo made are very , liable to slips, and the only traffic to be : looked . for is the carriage of coal, an article having a large demand and conse quently subject to a large amount of com petition. This line would inevitably have '' proved a failure, from the fact that the KawaKawa mine, north of Auckland, is . now being so well developed, and possesses r so many advantages in the way of a good ~ market, in the, hurgp'steamers now trading ./ fi>Auck!and,and pther ports. . These all ~ call on their way at Russell , to coal, and ■ lie ; pjnes wjU have, in a short time, . conveniencesby which tie proprietors may , compete with outside markets like New castle, which is the competitor our New Zealand coal pit owners have to contend against more than any other, so that the proposed line, from Brunuerton either . ; to.Apberly or Nelson could , neyer land . cqol on this side of the Island at a price which Would pay against Kawakawa coal, or from the Brunner pine itself, if sea borne to Lyttelton- Therefore, the decision arrived at by Parliament as to the beat means of utilising the Grey coal measures—thatisby further improving the entfancetothe Grey river, so as to make it navigable for vessels of sufficient tonnage, and thus compete with the mines in New South Wales—was the on« best, calculated to render them useful to the country at large. We do not think we are . overstating the resources of the colony when we perdict that in a less period than ' ;* fiveyeara frop the present date, we will be v exporters, instead of importers of com. Our resources ape immense. ’ : Qfi the Weso Coast, from the Grey 1 river ' to West Wanganui, a] distance ' .. 'of 150 miles by coasit, thick seams of coal : ; are visible wherever the gorges of the ” rivepi. intersect the measures. At the the Ten-mile, at Fox’s river, \' otarlest<m, Mount .Rbchfort, Mokihinni, Karamea river ami at West Wanganui .’./’TnSet, anil thence across to Golden Bay, ?''? ! ci^/ exists in inexhaustible quantities, of - 1 utebd:ird- /depths ofseam, and of a quality unequalled in the world, according to the

opinions of the Admiralty authorities at vVoolwich ; and it only requires the means of transit to make the present wilderness of the West Coast the richest district in the colony by means of a trans-insular railway. But the enormous range of moun tains forming the backbone of the Island is- decisively prohibitive to the formation of a road for the iron horse. The other line struck out of the list was, if possible, a more extravagant one. Its course was through lands which are still in the hands of the native owners ; i crossed numerous and difficult. rivers ; the country it intersected was mostly heavy bush, and in hilly country ; and the cost of formation would have been out of all proportion to the returns : whilst the maintenance, after completion would have been a heavy item to place against the earnings of the line. It was one of those lines called hy some political, and by others military railways, constructed with a view to assisting land sharks on the one side, and stirring up a Maori war on the other, the English capitalist be coming the stalking horse for both parties.

Rakaia. —The question of getting a medical man for this district has been energetically attended to by those gentle men appointed at a recent meeting held for that purpose, and we are glad to learn that there is every probability of the necessary guarantee required to secure the services of a medical man resident at Rakaia being obtained. Already the larger part of the sum has been guaranteed, and strenuous efforts are now being made to complete the necessary arrangements, and call a final meeting to decide the matter. It is to be hoped that the resi dents of such a large district as Rakaia will at once come forward to assist in this very important niatter, and secure the services of the gentlemen now offering. Quite recently a number of cases of sick ness have occurred in Rakaia, and in some instances the parties could not afford to get a medical inan from a distance, while others were only able to get but partial attendance. We sincerely hope to be able to report in a very short time that the matter has been fully completed and a medical man resident in the district.

The Mount Somers Railway. —The formation of the first section of the Mount Somers line, about 10i miles in length, is now approaching completion. All the for mation is completed, and the platelaying, with the exception of about 2 miles, which has been delayed for want of rails. The ballasting is’finished for over seven miles, and the only siding on this length is completed, so that in the course of about four weeks the line will be ready for traffic. It is ex pected that tenders will be called at an early date for the other portion of the work, and bur Mount Somers friends may look, within a year, to having a quicker and safer means of transit than the present rough road and the uncertain fords in the Ashburton river famish them with.

Ashburton School Examination. The annual examination of the pupils a'- tending the Ashburton school closed yester day, the Rev. W. E. Paige and A. M. Beattie having kindly undertaken the arduous duties of judging the merits of the different scholars. Those having been diligent enough during the year to gain prizes or certificates of merit will have them presented publicly on Monday next, when all parents and friends are invited to attend. The usual six weeks holidays will commence from that date. A concert in aid of the prize fund will he given at the schoolroom on Monday evening under the leadership of the head master, Mr. Stott, who_has, we understand, brought his pupils to a high state of proficiency in vocal music.

Fieb Brigade. —The Ashburton Fire Brigade turned out in full force on Wednesday night for practice; the new tube well by Mr. Alfred Harrison’s auction room was tested but found unequal to the task required of it and will have to be sunk deeper. The brigade were then put through some ladder and bucket exercise at the station, and acquitted themselves in a satisfactory manner. The open well for the protection 'of.buildings at the railway station and Saunders’ block is now being sunk and will be tested in a few days.

C.Y.C.—The usual weekly parade was held on Thursday afternoon, Trooper Scott acting as drill sergeant in his usual soldier like manner. Thecontingent then marched to the stables, where Corporal Cookson, on the part of the Ashburton members of the corps, presented Trooper Scott with a handsome cavalry bit and hurdoon bridle, breastplate, crupper and chain ; and in making the gift spoke in high terms of the progress made by the troop under Mr. Scott, whose thorough mastery of cavalry drill, and excellent qualities as an in structor had had an effect upon the ap pearance and efficiency of the contingent that might be marked by any onlooker. The presentation was made in re cognition, not so much of Trooper Scott’s i oisession of these abilities, but of his willingness to give the corps the benefit of them. The contingent was fortunate in enjoying Mr. Scott’s ser vices, and it was to be hoped they would enjoy them for an unlimited time. Mr. Scott modestly replied for the unexpected recognition of his services after which the contingent were dismissed.

A Snake Killer in the Poultry Yard. —The visit of the itinerary showmen who made their appearance here on the race days, will be long remembered by a select few of the citizens. The exhibition of these people consisted of the livingskeleton of a lio.i, two bears suffering from the effects of seasickness and a vigorous young “Indian snake-killer.” The Company lodged at Mr. Garland’s Railway Hotel, and the animals were located in the yard. When the showmen left they regretted the dullness of the times, and left a legacy to Mr. Garland—the snake-killer. Two days ago this useful, if n >t ornamental, quadruped got away and has not since been seen. He has, however, succeeded in making himself felt. Finding no gpakes to feed upon, he has contented himself with poultry, and has killed num. bers of fowls and ducks locoated within a considerable radius of the hotel yard. Ducks have been found torn to shreds, and fowls have been discovered with deep in c sions in their bodies. Hardly a poultry yard in the neighborhood has escaped. Here is an opportunity for the Acclimatisa tion Society. If they can only secure this “ snake-killer,” and set him at the spar rows, there would be no need to lay poison for their destruction.

Colonial f vnusTRY. — The Auckland Evening “■'•w” says : —“ A local con temporary labouring under a misap prehensiu ; ating that the Union Com - pany got a’i the uniforms f >r its oliicers from Eugl.The company is having the -loth f-r 'he nnifo-im manufactured at the ’■ ! Woolen Factory, Otago, and i.lu made up entirely in the ■ '• .• 'ard material On’y ; -vhich could not bo - - from England

the comp my has thus set a worthy example to others in the encouragement of colonial industry.”

A Kelly Gang Item. —The latest news of the Kelly gang was specially tele graphed on Wednesday night to the “ Sydney Evening News,” to the follow ing etfert : —A gentleman, well known in

the north-eastern district of Victoria, states that while travelling between Benalla and Wangaratta, about a month since, he met four armed men, whom he recognized as the Kelly gang. Seeing that they were recognized, the outlaw's stopped the gentleman, and threatened vengeance if he said a word of the reeontre for a month, and being afraid of the consequences, ho refrained from men tioning the matter until the expiration of the allotted time, a day or two since. At the end of the month he received two L 5 notes of the Bank of New South Wales, Jerilderie, as a present for his silence.

A Ltbeum. County Chairman. — Mr. John Rol erts, of Messrs Munay, Roberts, and Co., was recently unanimously re elected Chairman of the Taieri County Council fir the ensuing 12 months. In returning thanks to the Council, Mr. Roberts, referring to the question of re muneration, said he had no sympathy with the habit which obtained amongst County Chairmen of accepting LIOO or Ll5O for their services. The Taieri Council had as extensive works under its control, and as important business to transact as the average of such bodies, and, having had a year’s experience, he was firmly of opinion that there was nothing to warrant the receipt of such rein meration. There were no calls on the time of the Chairman that justified any demand of the kind. We should judge that Mr. Roberts is well in.

In Advance ob Her Time. The “Loafer” thuses : “There are people who cast their bread upon the water, but who wax impatient over the “ many days ” they have to wait before it comes back to them. A little lady (four years old) fore closed her mortgage the other day in a very summary manner. She is a unit in the congregation of one of our most thickly populated churches where, like many of her seniors, she been for some time in the habit of contributing three pence in silver every Sunday for some time past. A few Sundays since she as tonished her parents by thus addressing the collecting churchwarden—“Youcome here Sunday after Sunday and take mo treppence in your bag and never give ns any. Neck Sunday you bring me turn money.” The abashed churchwarden fled swiftly on his feet, and, I’m afraid, the little girl had a severe caution, unaccom panied by pudding, on her return home.

Clear the Kitchen. —A famous noble man once called on Abernethy with refer ence to an inflamed eye. His lordship, after waiting an hour for Abernethy to get through with a number of charity patients, whom he never left to attend to the highest nobleman, began the conversa tion by saying, “ Doctor, I wish you would examine this eye ; I fear some deadly mis chief is at work here.” <; lf you sit there in my patients’ chair, and let me do the talk ing, I will soon find out what is the matter with you.” A few short questions, and the doctor concluded the interview with the following words : —“ Your difficulty is not where you think it is, in your eye, but” l —pointing his finger at the patient’s ssomach—it is there, in your kitchen. Of course, when the kitchen is out of order, the garret and all the other ro mis in the house arc more or less affected. Now all you have to do is to clear the kitchen, and the garret will require no special purification. Your lordship must do as the famous Duke of Wellington did on a well-known occasion—cut off the supplies, and the enemy will leave the citadel. ”

A New Chum Shot. —He was not long from the old country, and it being his first visit to a squatting mansion, he was much delighted with the chase of the marsupials. At the same time he thought he could teach the natives something. At the next hunting party be carried with him the revolver he bad brought from England, duly loaded. He rode his host’s favourite horse, and as there were ladies present resolved to distinguish himself in their eyes. One of the pouch-bearers having separated from those pursued by the dogs, he kept the spur going, and was soon within short range. Drawing his revolver, he prepared for action, but through some mischance his index finger pressed on the trigger a little too soon. It was also unfortunate that the head of his host’s horse was precisely in the line of fire. No spear from a catapult travelled with more destructive momentum than did he from the saddle ofthesteed he had sped. He walked home, and the horse—did not. He is not sure this day whether the com pliments paid him by his corteous host on his riding and shooting were equivocal or sincere. Somehow he inclines to regard them in their less complimentary con struction. —.ZEgles. Story of a Sermon. —An excellent opportunity of hearing himself as others heard him was afforded one Sunday to a clergyman in a distant town. The good old man generally preached in the morning occupying nearly forty minutes i.i delivery. One memorable morning the curate who was also his son, was, contrary to the rule, to preach in the morning, and, ip a custom now becoming rare, proceeded to the vestry to robe himself in his academical gown. Hero he discovered to his horror that he had left his sermon at home ! What was to be done ! Time did not permit of going or sending for it, hut a bright idea struck him. Turning to a drawer which stood near, he opened it and discovered a num ber of his father's min user! pts. Hastily selecting one, he returned into church, ascended the pulpit, and preached his sermon. When at the conclusion of the service father and son met in the vestry, the father was, to his son’s surprise, very angry—a most unusual circumstances. “Really, , you should prepare a pro per sermon. I never did hear such rub bish in all the course of may life.” “I am sorry to hear it,” was the quiet reply, “ for there it is,” at the same time pre senting to the old gentleman’s astonished gaze his own manuscript!

I “Tails, I Los:;.'’—A correspondent of 1 the Melbourne Herald writes as follows: — 1 “1 was a.follow-prisoner o c this Captain Mooidite iu the Pontridga retreat, hut i regained my liberty before him. 1 well remember his last remark to me on the day I left. ‘.Jack,’ he said, ‘ when 1 get out, the first coin 1 got hold of I’ll spin it up ; if it conies down a head, I’ll turn bookmaker; f tails. I’ll take to bun rang ing. ’ That it came tails the events of the last few days will demonstrate. But what a glorious future would have been his Uad it"only come a head. Truly, ‘ there is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we may.’ In the present ex ciremmt this probably may be read with interest if you will publish same.”

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH &. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

( Reuter's ) London. Dec. 16. Arrivals—Gloria and" Star of the North. Parliament is summoned to meet for despatch of business on February 15. The Court has granted a writ of error in Orton’s case, upon doubts whether the Court was empowered to pass two sen tences for the same offence. Dec. 17. Three per cent. Consols are at 97. Five per cent. INew Zealand 10.40 loan, 101. New loan,- 99]-. Calcutta, Dec. 17. Telegraphic communication with Cabul is interrupted near Jagadahak Pass. Gough reports that the tribes beyond Gundormuk are obstructing the British advance. St. Petersburg, Dec. 10. Reports are generally current ihat there is another quarrel between the Czar and the Czarewitch. The latter demands constitutional Government, which the former refuses to accede to. (Age Special. ) London, Dee. 17. An army of 10,000 is collecting at Peshawar, and will march in a few days. General Roberts is confident that he will he able to hold Cabul , until the relief comes. He has live months’ supplies. An outbreak has occurred at Herat be tween Cabulese and Heratics. The regiments of Yakoob are unable to restore order. Mr. Waddington suggests collective mediation by the Great Powers to settle the Greek frontier difficulty. The Crown Prince of Germany has submitted a scheme for the establishment of a Germany colony at Samoa which has been favorably received. London, Dec. 18. The new loan is quoted at 99. AUSTRALIAN '(Reuter's Teleptams.) Melbourne, Dec. 18. Arrived—Albion. Arrived—Wakatipu. Sailed—Tararua, for New Zealand. * The French Commissioner presented the Mayor with a Sevres vase from the Re public of France. (Special to. the Association.) Sydney, Dec 18. On Sunday two girls, aged fifteen, fought with fisticuffs, nearly naked, in the presence of a mob in a low suburb. It was apparently pre-arranged. Mr. Sheppord, a member of the As sembly, summoned Mr. Samson, a respect able citizen of Gore, for threshing him publicly in George street. The result of the East Sydney election is-regarded as evidence of a general deter mination to resent the interference of the Catholic hierarchy in educational politics. Brisbane, Deo. 18. A company has been formed for tram way construction.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Dec. 13. Mr. Erringfcon, the waterworks en gineer, has made an offer to the City Council to work the water supply with a saving of 20 per cent. . The Harbor Board suspended dredging opera! ions in the harbor, the silt from Dempsey’s railway reclamation rendering the labor useless. At the R.M. Court over fifty summonses against Dempsey by men for wages were heart!. Judgment for plaintiffs. Auckland, Dec. 11). Rewi is recovering rapidly. Ho holds a meeting of Ngatimaniopoto on Saturday. A steward of the s.s. Tangihua, named George, was drowned at Aratapu. He fell overboard. The Melanesian schooner Southern Cross arrived from the islands after an eight months’ cruise. She left Bishop Selwvn and party at Norfolk Island all well. Passengers—Bev. Godrington and Cummins. Opunake, Dec. 18. There was a small attendance at the Parihaka meeting with nothing fresh to report. Te Whiti persists in saying there will be no fighting. He says the truth will appear this year, and nothing can prevent it coming out. Wellington, Dec. 18.

William Hales was charged this morn ing with voting twice at the recent elec tion for the House. Evidence was taken and accused was remanded to allow the voting papers to be produced. The reporters of the press gallery yester day afternaon presented Mr. E. T. Gdlon, cha man of the gallery, with a handsome wa! nit stationery cabinet, in acknowledg me t of his services dining the present ses! ion. The cabinet was accompanied •vyit i a testimonial. It is feared that a young man named Seager has been drowned while crossing the Ao'iauga river. He had been em ployed at Glence station, and was crossing the river when he was swept from his horse. Nothing has been seen of %‘- body. Dec. 27 has been declared a bank holi day throughout the colony. Mr. W, N. Son rancho has been ap pointed an interpreter under the 12th section of the Native Lands Act, 1873.

Nelson, Dee. 18 A strange case of suicide occurred at Collingwood the other day. A man named W. C. Smith, who recently lost his wife, was on his way to give evidence. Smith called at the house of Mr. Boggis, and complained of being ill. Boggis thereupon went to the Court to explain Smith’s absence, and on his return found him dead with a piece cut out of his throat with a pocket knife. At the in*

quest a verdict of tempory insanity was returned. To-day a married woman named L. Wilkin:;, aged 43, was found in the Mal ta! rive:, Trafalgar street. The "Woman had been mLsing since Saturday, bn!, lir.lt; notice was taken of it, owing to her eccentric and intemperate habits. An inquest wiil bo held. Timauu, Dee. 18. A meeting of proprietors o r most of the principal newspapers in the Colony was held at Timani yesterday, at which repre sentatives of the following papers' were present’: “New Zealand Herald,” “Auckland Star,” “Wellington Post,” “Lyttelton Times,” “ Timani Herald,” “Dunedin Star,” “Dunedin Morning Herald,” and “ Otago Daily Times.” The business transacted was of a confidential nature. The special wire question was fully discussed, and the Conference met again at ten o’clock this morning. Oamaru, Dec. 18. At the inquest leld to-day regarding the fire which occnred on the night ; December 13, in the shop of Mr. Russell saddler, Thames street, the jury returned an open verdict. Dunedin, Dec. 18. 1 he petition by the present Mayor, Mr. Water, against the x-eturn of Mr. Fish, the Mayor elect, has created a consider ab!; amount of feeling, and in the event of Fish being ousted a petition calling up m Walter to resign is to be prepared. Borne capital firing has been made this morning at the Anderson’s Bay butts for the Association prize. A member of the An illery Company made 77 out of a pos. iblo 84, and many other good scores wen made. A . all of 2s. Gd. in the £ has been made upon. the creditors of James Black, bankn. it, to defray law expenses, the verdict obtained by the trustees against the she> iff having been reversed upon technL .ml grounds, and costs granted. The Christs’ College eleven defeated a team selected from the Dunedin Cricket Club yesterday in the first innings, the scores being—Christchurch, 103 ; Dune din, 90. In the second innings Dunedin made 98, and Christchurch lost seven wickets for 40 runs. Invercargill, Dec. 18. The first annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Girls’ High School took place this afternoon. About 60 chil dren were present, and there was a fair attendance of friends. Professor Black was amongst the speakers. Invercargill, Dec. 19. The Town Council last night decided to ask the approval of the ratepayers to a further loan of L 20,000 for general pur poses.

LATEST.

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Renter's.) Calcutta, Dec. 15. It is believed the British are in position at Sharpar, in strong and well fortified cantonments outside Cabul, and the lines near Cabul are in possession of the British troops. The British entrench ments have been strengthened, with ample supplies of material. There is every reason to believe the position is tenable pending the arrival of reinforce ments. Gough’s advance has been stopped by hostile tribes. Reinforce ments will be sent from Ptshawur, where reserves forces are forming.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Per our Special Wire. Gsahamstown, Dec. 19. The big pump with appliances was sold to-day for L 1,300 to Conner, the manager of the Moanatairi. L 200,000 has been expended on the works, aid the plant is valued at L 25,000. It was sold by order of the County Council, who received securities from Government in trust for this community. Considerable dissatis faction is expressed at the course pursued. The contractors for the railway works are sued in the district Court by natives for removing earth. The natives from the same claim are receiving license fee and miners’ right fee from the workmen, and have received L3O and costs for earth from the surface. This complication is owing to the terms Government hold the gold fields. The native are actuated by interested pakelia Maoris. New Plymouth, Dec. 19.

The case of John Hill for indecent assault was resumed at the Supreme Court to-day, The accused produced witnesses to prove an alibi. Wellington, Dec. 19. The ships St. Leonards and Rakaia sailed for London this morning. Mark Ryott, on two charges of forgery, was committed for trial, and on five charges of issuing valueless cheques he was sentenced to six months each, sen tences to run concurrently,

The charge of perjury will be heard against Matny, the commission agent, this afternoon.

Sailed—Penguin for South. Passen gers—Misses Brett, Turnbull, Dyer, Mao farlane, Firth (2), Nancarrow, Mont gomery, Brown, Cameron, Bridge; Mes .dames Reid, Cherold, Lee, Gardner, .Bhrimski, Wlngham ; Sir F. and Lady 8011, Colonel Brett, Major Richmond, Messrs. Follott, Turnbull, Askell, Pea cock , Morlow, Hart, Willis, Cuwdol, Norman, Eraser, Shrims'ki, Gardner, Ross, Henry, Oliver, Bollesbm, Bowman, Burns, Husaay, Barr, Taylor, Marks, Fraser, Driver, Wingham, Taiaroa, Tainui, Fjsher (2), Macintosh, Foster, Saunders,, Pyke, Barron, Andrews, Gray, Wright, Ireland, McLennan, Firth, and Holmes. Tltlyeharge of forgery against P. R. Watty, commission agent, at the instance of the Deputy Commissioner of Stamps, was partly heard to-day. The informa tion charged him with having falsely de clared tl\e amount of cash on the estate of the late John Wood, of Ferry Hotel, Poiirua. The case was adjourned. Arrived—Waitaki, from North, with San Francisco mail.

Sailed —Penguin, for south, with ’Frisco mail.

At the meeting of the creditors, af R. Port, grain merchant, a rathgy .animated discussion took .place, It was ultimately decided that the estate be wound up in the Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Hastwell, proprietor of the line of coaches beween Wellington and Palmer ston North, was found dead at Greytown to-day. No cause is given for his death, but it is believed it was heart disease

The following are the acceptances for the" Wellington Cup received to-day :

Toinpleioa, Maritana, Funl Play, Chancellor, Pinllre, Hippocampus, Grip, Sinking Fund, Foam, Hailstorm, Lara, York. Norseman, Merlin, Magnolia, S nikar, Irma, King Qu ail, Libeller, Loch L mioml, Laertes, Vampire, and Balnu ral. Lyttrlto?;, Dec. 10. Arrived Onialia, from Cha-ham

i -hinds ; cleared—Met ope, Tor L■ onion wait large cargo of woo], hides, tallow, it;., ;rul nine passengers. Shy 'gaits to moviow.

Sailed—Jane Douglas, for Kaikoura and .Wellington. At' the It. M. Court to day evidence was taken for the defence in an action of William Wade of Auckland v, Guiseppi Chiarini, proprietor of the circus, in which plaintiff claimed LSO damages for injury received at Auckland; occasioned by the zebras of the defendant frightening plaintiff's horse. The plaint set forth that on Nov. 18th last, defendants servants were travelling along the Epsom road with two zebras, which broke loose, frighten ing plaintiff’s Horse, and caused it to shy and hurt plaintiff, whereby he was unable for some time to attend to his business, and was put to pain and expense. Mr. Thompson appeared for defendant, and Mr. Wynn Wi liamaappeared for plaintiff. The evidence for defendant went to show that plaintiffs horse took fright before the zebras were in sight, an 1 that plaintiff did not appear to be greatly injured by the accident. "a Christchurch, Dec. ; W. The bill of the two engineers who re ported on the proposed water supply scheme for Christchurch amounts to the small sum of LISO.

The old Gaiety Theatre will be opened on Boxing Day by Mr. D’Orsay Ogden, under the name of the “ Academy of Music. ” It is now really a theatre, having been fitted with ’ a dress circle, provided on the American plan, with a number of small family boxes, a ceiling built in, and tire walls decorated. The place looks a very comfortable little theatre; under the influence of the a'tera tions it will probably prove a formidable rival to the older established theatre now leased by Hiscocks, Hay man, and Co, Timahu, Dec. I'.).

Milford boiling down works, near Temuka, with stock-in-trade, plant, and 120 live sheep were conuumed by fire at two this morning.

Dunedin, Dec. 19. j The Clutha County Council to-day decided to call for tenders for the re-erec tion of the Clutha bridge. The Waikouaiti Show to-day was very successful, but the exhibits were all locally owned. At the Rifle Association meeting the Ladies’ Challenge shield was won by the Clutha Kifles, with a score of 358 ; the South District Rifles being second with 352.

The brig Emily was sold by auction to day for LI,IOO cash, to the New Zealand Shipping Company, The barque Mataura will sail for London to-day with a cargo valued at L 77,624, including six boxes gold valued at L 19,768.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Fkiday, Deo. 19.

The Council met at 10 and adjourned till 11, when Mr. Whitaker said that, ns to the lines which had been struck out on the previous night, the Council was placing Govern ment in a difficulty. ' Some of the lines were authorised by the Railway Construc tion Act of last year. He proposed now to so far meet the views of the Council as to frame the schedule so that their applica tion should be confined to contracts already accepted. He would, however, agree to the item “ East and West Coast, from main line to a junction with the line from Nelson to Greymouth or Hokitika” being struck out, as it was a new line. A short discussion followed and the Bill was recommitted. Clause 21, exchange of land in Oamaru with Messrs Lees and Moore, was struck out on a division, by 8 to 9. In the first schedule the following alterations were made ;—Authorised rail ways—-Line Waikato to Taranaki, struck out ; Nelson to Greymouth—sections Nel son to Roundhill and Greymouth to Nel son Creek, with harbor works at Grey mouth, inserted ; Picton to Hurunui— Blenheim to Awatere, section inserted; Waitaki-Hurunui line—section Amberley to Waikari inserted, all these sections being already under contract. The Bill was read a third time, and the Appropriation Bill was passed. In addition to the lines previously spe cified, the Council struck out the line Waikato to New Plymouth from the list of authorised lines in the Public Works Dill.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, Dec. 18. The House met at 11 a.m. The Appropriation Bill and Immigra tion and Public l Works Appropriation Bills were introduced. In Committee these Bills were passed. Clause 30 of the Public Works Bill was then taken up. Mr. Oliver proposed to arid the follow ing in lieu of clause 30; —‘‘It shall bo lawful for the Governor in Council, from time to time, on being satisfied that the expenditure, on any of the District Hall ways specified in the schedule hereto, by the company constituted fur the purpose of constructing the same, has been economically expended to guarantee upon such terms, conditions, and subject to receiving such security, as the Governor in Council may approve, the debentures ou mortgages to be given by any such Company for a sum in the aggregate not exceeding L 60,000 of the expenditure of the Company upon the construction and laying of any railway line constructed by them, and the erect ing and building of any buildings and erections, and the purchase of rolling stook in connection therewith being the property of Companies. ” Sir G.’ Grey moved that L30,0C0 be substituted for LfiQ,ooo. In reply to Mr Barron, Sir G. Grey stated that if Ida amend ment was accepted he would not insist upon specific sums being allotted to par ticular companies. The question that L 30,000 be substi tuted for L 60,000 was put and carried on the voices. _

Sir George Grey then moved as a

further amendment—-*• That no amount he granted to any one company in excess of the sum of L 15,000. Mr. Montgomery suggested that the amount should not be insisted ' upon, as Government would be responsible for wh-.S they did. ■ The Public Works I? • •/- ypoio-c-f with amendments. Friday, The House met at one, when the Pre mier explained the Council’s amendments on the Public Works Bill, and moved that they be agreed to. » Mr. Moss protested against such a national work as the Waikato-New Ply mouth line, being struck out. Mr. Gisborne asked if Couliicil had power to alter a.Bili of this kind, a Bill having for its object the expenditure of public mongjf.. The Spedket said that without hairing carefully considered the print, he would say his impression was that the Council had the power. Mr.' Gisborne sajdhe was of a different opinion. The line Sn question was one of those an engagement to go on- with bad been entered into lurig-since.’ ■'S'hQ deter ruination not to go on with it was a serious matter, and onu whidh would tend to" estrange the He-conuluded by moving— “ That the House disagree with the amendment of Council, ” Mr. Bryce said he could not believe the previous speaker had auy good reason for the statement he made in reference to the estrangement of native?. Major Atkinson said Government re gretted the action taken by the Council, but still he did not think it was serious enough to warrant the House disagreeing with the amendment. No practical (Ilf ficulty would be occasioned, however, and Government would recommend the House to agree with the amendment. Thetre could be no real doubt but this line as[* through line would eventually be carnet, and Government would, use en deavor to have the line surveyed and ex plored; during the recess. i Mr. Moss contended that he had just cause for alarm. They were spending the last of their loans. He would remind Government of the extent to which it indebted to the support given by the Auckland members, and thought Government should have shown more solicitation for the interests. of that Province under the circumstances. - ft would be a very great disappointment to the people of Auckland; in fart it would, practically speaking, be a serious bar to their hopes that this all important work would be carried out. ; {

Mr. Macandrew thought they would be wrong in acquiescing in the .amendf, ment by the Council, and it. sought to bb resisted. ,

Mr. Shrimski supported the amend ment, and contended they had passed i number of votes there was no real inten tion of carrying out. f Colonel Trimble entered his prbteit against the amendment. It was unfair io the Minister who originally framed tlie proposal, as well ati to this House, V whom it was passed. It was too lite in the session, however, to hope they would be able to make anything like an effective resistance.

Mr. M-Lean said, he hoped Government would see its way to send the Bill back, and get the line replaced. It would make no real difference as it could not possibly be gone on with this year, and Auckland members would on the stump thereby be deprived of making political capital oat of the matter.

Mr. DeLatour said the line might just as well be off the schedule as on it, as nothing could possibly be done towards carrying it on this year.

Mr. Oliver assured the House Govern* inont would keep this work steadily in view, with a view to having it eventually carried out. All enquiry would be made during the recess with a view to collecting what information they could as to the best route to be adopted. The question was then put—“ That the House agree to the amendment.” Ayes, 22 ; Noes, 15.

Mr. Hall said that although he had voted wiih the ayes it was not that Ife agreed to the striking out of the line, but simply because he believed it would lead to no good result to stand out against the amendment at this stage of the aesiiqp. The line, however, was one Government would keep steadily in view, with Q e object of having it eventually carried into execution. |- The motion was then put and carried. On the motion that the House agrise with the amendment to strike out the East and West Coast Line Mr. Gisborne moved an amendment that the Hoi&s disagree with it. T Mr. Hall said no practical opportunity would be lost for getting the interests V>£ the line promoted* but under the circuit stances he trusted the amendment not be pressed. i The motion to agree was put and car ried on the voices.

The Bill was then adopted as amended. At three o’clock the members of the House were summoned to attend the Commissioner in the Legislative Council. The Commissioners appointed were Sir W. Fitzherbert, Hon. F. Whitaker, atad Hon. John Johnson, but Mr. Whitaker was not present. The Commission being read, Sir W. Fitzherbert declared Parliament prorogued to Thursday, sth February.

.1 '• •

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

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Wash a baby up clean and dress jiim up real pretty, and he will resist' -all advances with the most superlative cross no sa ; but let him eat treacle and ginger bread and play round the coal-scuttle for half an hour, and he will nestle his dear dirty little face close up to your cfeau shirt-bosom, and be just the lovingest, cunningest little rascal in all the world. Temptation. —lf there is anything that makes a man yearn to c<»me home early . t night it is the last words of his wife, 'who says to him, just as he starts out for the evening, “Dear, come home early, so vou can put up the window curtains.’’ That man agonises to go home early, but be sometimes stays out late just to sho V his wife that he can resist temptation. A shop was broken into one night i but strange to say, nothing was carried off. The proprietor was making his boast pf »•, at the same time expressing his surprise at losing nothing. “A'ot at all surprising,” said his neighbor. “The robbers lighted a lamp didn’t they?” “ Ves,” was the reply. “ Well ” continued the neighbor, “ they found your goods marked lip so high they could not afford to take ftem."