THE FARMER.

AGRICULTURAL PAPERS. - “THE AGRICULTURALIST.” ’ No. VI. THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURIST. .The first batch of your early settlers, I ' believe, arrived at Port Lyttelton (then better known as Port Cooper) in Decem ber, 1850. At that time the Province of Canterbury was a wild, uncultivated tract o- of country. Some time ago, I read with i t very mush interest the remarks made by .» one of the early settler, -in response to| a i ' "toast at soin (S' festivity. In effect-it was, r as well as I remember, that in those by gone days there only existed at Lyttelton - one baker and one butcher; and that the early settlers had to wait with patient for ■ bearance in turn for a loaf of bread, which was handed to him hot from the bake-house. The sum of two shillings was paid for the 4lbs. '.loaf. A somewhat •Similar ■"procesv had to be undergone for obtaining a supply of mutton from the primitive ’-butcher at the cost of 6d. per db. Beefb w up not in supply in tire early ... days of your pioneers. The fresh water sup • --ply was from a - well situated in a place ■ known in those days as Side’s Gully. This if source of supply was so over-taxed that f. • the truth «f the old proverb was well ill ■ - ■ -ustrated, •“ the early bird gets the worm,” for th tee who were not early risers had to i; - wait until nature filtered the water through the sand before their ’ requirements were responded to,; and-some of the recipents in case of an extra supply being needed ■ for their requirements had to keep watch .over the night, waiting for nature to give : thera -their Wants. The subsequent ar rivals- in the' sixth vessel, the Isabella i Hnrcus,: whoian led the following March, s 1851,' -did .not- fare much better. At a ■l7 later period Christchurch was not in a very progressive t state. The now- city could only in-those days' boast of its pioneer v ,• butcher, five sheep per day for a time met all. requirements. ' The rate of labor then , was only.four shillings j or-day. Flour i was L6O per ton, and for a time the sup i, ■ plies come from' the older settlements, chiefly from that of Tasmania, better knowft then as Van Dieman’s Land. It was not until some 10 years after the < early- settlement days that you became .exporters of wheat,, for I notice .■» fharo..is, in. the second report of the • Lyttelton Chamber of Commerce, for 1861, i some .interesting cimmercial information —namely, the entire export of grain from . New. Zealand during that memorable year is set down at 55,684 bushels, valued at . 1/13,112, of which Canterbury contributes the major half, ■ 28,820 bushels, valued at 7. L 7634. The total wool exports from New Zealand during 11 that year amounted to (official value) L 443,392, to which Canter bury contributed L 189,498. Your money borrowing and lending in stitution at that time seemed to have been ...; confined to one banking house. The fol lowing extract may help to show how you , ? have progressed. ..It>is from the * 1 Lyttel , ton Times ” of the 16th. July, 1861; ~ ~ 1858 - 1859 iB6O > "■ ~7~~2 Deposits. ... ...447,515 512,062 552,766 Note’ -Circulat.oh .. “4,519 89,136 99,161 Bills Payable ... 24.546 39,33» 40,022 . V 546,580 640,529 691,949 Discountanfi other . Advances ... ... 514,729643,604635,029 Com ‘ aftd Bullion; Bank Property, &c. 179,504208,706 159,765 “ The result shown on examination of these figures is this; that the Union Bank, during the last quarter of 1858, used hone of its own capital (not allowing it credit for " the coin reserves and fixed property), but on the contrary was indebted to the colony in the sum of 1/31,851. At the same period of 1859, when the restrictive action of the bank had commenced* we • find the colony indebted to that institu tion in the magnificent sum of L 3075, f while’ in 1860, when that action had borne its fruits, we again find the bank debtor to the colony in the amount of L 36,920. ” The compiling of the total wool and' grain exports from New Zealand in this creditable production seems to have been a good precedent. It is a pity it had not been followed out by the present Chamber if Commerce in Christchurch, so *• to : give at a glance the total value of exports ■ for the year from ' all the New ; Zealand ■ ports, arid comparative statements for past years; giving the total separate' Values of the chief articles of your New Zealand “ production. : From 1862 to 1866 you were in a dormant state ; as your, total value of grain exports during these years only reached L 3936. Your agricultural pro gress did not make much head-way until 1868. - ‘The values for this year were L56,120'; in 1870, or eight years after, the wheat exports had only doubled the grain exports of 1868—namely, 449,203 bushels of wheat;.value L 113,853. • In the next two gears 'you had more than • doubled both the quantity and value, as in 1878 for the year June; your 1 wheat iexpbrts " stood - thus bushels, value at L 234,853., I will now briefly rbfet tb your wheat exports, as it iseems clear to me that in-this description of corn ; you .may be expected to go on largely increasing your area—’because the dernand for both pats and barley must be f limited, for you will be confined to your - own local markets and to Some of the - ports " in the Australasian colonies, ahH . therefore there will pot be the induce <”lment*|oVyou to increase the production < ’• of wheat •; for i n the case of the latter the ' markStf ‘&t " thST*TJnited Kingdom will (,al|vsys be.open to you. The :important matter of having your statistics properly and care ('r compiled is worthy of your, grave £. agricultural statistic returns for J. , wheat of New Zealand *for last year .'.that the following are the figures for the 4 .wheat area and yield : —2 . s . w s ’■ J 3 .S 12 U ~ Particulars. Acres. 2 "S to y A - ■•- *a*s s g •? g I/-. •• •• U , ,Wheat returns for .- all New Zealand. 264,577 6,070,599 22.94 ■ Wheat ret’u us (or ■ . province of . ; all other parts of ’’l s * 4 ‘‘*Ntffv ' Zealand, ’ fettSppting - Can « Xerbu.>v ;; v | 90.682 2.348,779 25.89 •itfutin;-;•■!.) I'*■■■■■■ 261 ;«:•>■/ 6,070 400 Ufa. above, your , province is

credited with nearly two-thirds of the wheat growing area in New Zealand. The acreage I conclude there cannot be much doubt about, for it appears to be the uni versal opinion of the agriculturists that the estimated yield as above compiled is considerably in excess of the thrashing machines’, returns. The correctness of these yields is of the greatest importance, both to the agriculturists, the consumers, and others outside your colony. It is desirable that these records should be made as accurate as practicable, and more especially' so when the wealth of your country is computed from such informa tion. They are often used as a means to place before the British public your wonderful productiveness,, and therefore should be made to agree with the actual thrashed yield ,as near as it is, pos sible to . do so, It is to :ba hoped that this most important duty will be performed by the Government statist, with the usual assiduity appertaining to his. department. If. the compiling of the particulars ‘of. agricultural; products were taheii at a latet period in the year, when the probable, results Of the. yields might; be arrived at with, greater accuracy, this in formation would then he more reliable. Besides these 'means.you have another most effectual one at your disposal— namely;—haying , an export free entry passed for all corn shipped at all the ex port, ports in New Zealand, the truth of which,, and the market export value, should 'be declared before the officer in charge of the Customs. By adding: to these exports the estimated quantity re quired for seed and home consumption, you have then not ’ an assumed but a real result ; at least you have one as reliable as can bo got at. These figures, divided, by the acres of your various kinds of corn will give you the average yield which might be compared with the returns of the agricultural statist, and by such means corrected. This is a matter of such vital importance that I would venture to sug gest that you as agriculturalists ask your governing authorities to establish the system I have pointed out, to be made one of the stringent laws of the Customs department. , For the purpose of a further reference which I wish to make, I assume for the object of calculation, the general wheat yield all oyer New Zealand for last.year to be 20 bushels per acre (although J am informed on very good authority that 15 bushels would be a very liberal estimate). However, I propose giving your colony the benefit of the larger one. The statist’s returns give 22.94 bushels per acre as the' general average return. Taking the wheat area at 204,677 acres. at 20 bushels equals 5,291,540 . bushels; allow seed at one and a half ' bushels on ' the same acreage as last year,, seed require ments will be Say 396,865 bushels ; and home consumption, say on a population of 420,000 at the low estimate of 5 bushels each, 2,100,000 2,496,865 bushels. This gives an estimate available for export from all. New Zealand of 2,794,676 bushels. Add the estimated surplus available for export from South Australia say "5,778,220, which gives total available from the two colonies of 8,572,895 bushels. The county of Lincolnshire in England threshed last year 10,000,000 bushels. I refer to this to give you convincing proof of the insignificant position you hold, as a wheat exporting, country. Taking New Zealand and South Australia together the joint exports are not equal to the produce of one of the counties in England by one and a half millions of bushels of wheat.

_ ■ r~. g . 8i.1tT7.4L1, >cj I think it would be JJJ'g 51 © opportune now to offer g - 3 S id a few comments upon § c the value of rainfall records, if they are re • Hi 77 lioiously kept, and pub lished weekly at every £3 yj J 3 place in New. Zealand —— —— of sufficient importance £; 2 S to justify the publica- JS 55 Ss tiun of a newspaper. _s All important agricul g o g tural centres should S J «j have such records kept ■' • • ** —by the officer in charge *® So tk o Rbad Board So ci office. I »Jso propose *“* ■' w n to give you yearly •4! | o ® average of the rainfall fe I e 4 in Victoria as welL j N p From this statement 09 ’ a S2 ke seen g • " that the average rain- S fall in is — ~ now that of Obrist.- S S j>- church. In many * §? 25 parts of Victoria the rainfall is not so much rj ao as it is in her capital “J tj city. Thq atmosphere o g nearly so humid as it § ej oo is in your province, or ■; P S S coast line j of New Zealand being ■ w 9* go extensive, the * ' jg effect is renovating for oo S agrlciiltuFftl pursuits. ** -h Although; the-general n average of rainfall in 5 ® Victoria; may be con h sjdercd sufficient .as j a rule for growing, § ■e; 5* provide 4 the ebmate * S was not so parching, ————| and was free from the Jg j 35 continued droughts * \6 during the time the o result of the Victorian 6 wheat ; averages will ,*"* &__ give you the best test n 2) as to the suitability of § of her pjimate for corn $ average yield for wheat S © for the last ten years is *~i S 3 recorded, at . 19'8 bushels, the lowest as eo 8"7 bushels, and her * §5 average yield per o/jpe — over , this period has § co been only 13 bushels. 2 The cliinate of that part of the country in © S§ Victoria lately opened <» and settled upon, fop a grain growing district, oo g is aonie what similar to S tp the climate in some 1-1 parts of South . Aus* . tpaiia, and therefore « may be looked upon as S g likely. in the . most S 5 favorable season to jS ,g yield comparatively g Js light crops only,;

new Zealand’s producing power. The stability of the producing power of New Zealand as a corn growing country, cannot be more forcibly illustrated than to - instance the results of last yeai, especially in your Canterbury province, with the unfortunately low rainfall, and particularly that chronicled at Christ church 13| INCHES—DURING THE WHOLE YEAR. With such an unfavorable season as you experienced, your wheat yield per acre was more than double that of Victoria, with her fair average rainfall for the sea son, and nearly three times that of South Australia for the same year. Your lowest yield, under - the extreme circumstances I have cited, was more than that of your sister colony in her very best years, and nearly double the highest yield ever reaped and thrashed in South Australia.

lx MAY BE WORTHY OF NOTE THAT THE! RAINFALL OF OVER. 2 INCHES IN JANUARY LAST SAVED YOUR CORN CROPS FROM ALMOST total ruin. So much for the value of a proper system :of gauging and recording the .rainfall. A country with such a humid climate as have most parts of New Zealand, is destined to be a favored field for settle ing a large population, when the great natural producing advantages are better known. None of the other Australasian colonies can place on record such facts as are disclosed in this paper, the accuracy of which can be verified. These results should be very gratifying to you as agri culturists.

In this lottnr I referred to your com petitors. Admitting that the United Kingdom is a great consuming country, it is also, on the other hand, one of immense producing power. The following will have a stimulating effect when I tell you that to meet the general depressed state of agri culturists the Duke of Bedford had generously remitted half a year’s rent to his tenantry in Cambridgeshire, Bedford shire, and Devonshire involving the esti mated deduction of receipts to His Grace of L 70.000. It appears that other abate ments of rent have been announced in Eng’and, varying from 10 to 30 per cent. This points to a systematic general reduc tion in rents, which means the cultivator more competing power. I desire to point out to you a striking proof that you as agriculturists cannot look to high rates ruling for wheat, unless war or some other unforeseen calamity, takes place of a disturbing nature, and this would only have a temporary effect. Even taking the average price for wheat per quarter of the 16 years I have given you—i.e., 51s. per quarter—and during this period the Franco-Pruasian war ex tended from 1871 to 1874, or the effects of it, it seems doubtful if this average can be maintained. The high rates ruling in 1867 and 1868 may, I have no doubt, be traced to some calamity or other.

It is generally an acknowledged fact the farmer as a rule bears the general burdens, occasionally imposed upon him with for bearance, and is one not easily moved into taking an active part in measures even affecting his wellbeing. Although he is credited with possessing an ample share of shrewdness of a certain kind, still he has submitted, with what one might almost venture to call complacency, to the ex tremely high railway tariff rates charged for the carriage of his produce. Yet, strange- to say, during all the present political controversy in the country he has never put to the candidate aspiring to a • seat in Parliament, the following but nevertheless ail potent question ; Will you pledge yourself to advocate a substantial reduction in the railway rates ? The cost of the railway lines in New South , Wales and Victoria are put down at about L 14,586 per mile, while those in your country are put down as costing about L6OOO per mile. In the first named colony 1 ton of produce is carried a dis tance of 150 miles to an export port for 15/2, which in your country, to carry 1 ton only a distance of 50 miles to f.o.b. it costs 14»,, lid. The difference is strik ing. New South Wales, with her low railway rates, pays L 4 4s. sd. interest upon the capital expended on railways, with the ruinous rates charged, do not pay 3 per cent, interest upon the. outlay, while you have to pay interest on your public debt at about 5 per cent. Your Govern ment has mismanaged your affairs, as compared with those of your neighbors. Before concluding, I trust you will not consider I am travelling outside the in terest of the agriculturist when I make bold enough to tell you, that you will not only be helping your own interest, but that of every well wisher to the prosperity .of Nqw Zealand, by not countenancing the present lions which are threatning your course of success —namely, universal suf frage and what is termed protection to native industry. These two measures were carried into Victoria, and they have brought her to the very brink of, ruin. The following . in stances I will name to you. A cer tain class of artisan (whose calling I will not mention) say they have prospered so well under the protective tariff of 50 per sent- duty iu their favor that they now publicly petition fop an increase up to 100 per cent. The chairmaker, wood-turner, furniture maker, and coach-builder are moderately petitioning for a 50 per cent, duty as well as to foster each, their par ticular trades, and from the curriers are petitioning for 15 percent, to prevent the importation of calf-skins into Melbourne. Onemore instance I wish to point out to you —that of the Victorian axletree maker. The following particulars I have gleaned from one of the d#b£f®£ in Parliament in that colony. Under tho i%tg tftPiffj $ n invoice of imported axles LlO4 18s. 6d, was sub ject to a protective duty of L 22 16s. 6d. Still the axletree maker did not prosper. If now proposed under the amended tariff to increase the spoliation from L 22 16s. 6d. to L 93 4 s - f° r th® object of fostering the Victorian natiyg industry of axletree making.

! To give another proof of the commercial position Victoria now liolds with the other Australian colonies, fchp following is re corded in the leading Victorian organ— namely, “ That on the Ist of June last, in London, there were 38 ships loading for Australia, with an aggregate of 48,758 tons, divided as under ;—For Sydney, 16 vessels representing 21,232 tons ; Adelaide, 14 vessels representing 16,936 tons j Mel boupne, 8 vessels, representing 10,590 tons.'*

Victoria has lost her leading commercial position. She is now at the tfti} of the list in place of heading it. She occupied the leading place until the fostering and democratic Government took the reins in hand. These facts ought to be a warning to the people of New Zealand, Still, you find, in one instance within your own province, an ably conducted newspaper disposed at present (upon the very point

of fostering what is now a days termed native industries) to countenance such a ruinous policy' as that followed by the present Victorian Government. This policy now days is called “ Liberalism!” I have to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and you, gent’en..for jour patient endurance, as I am afraid I have almost imposed upon . beyond reasonable bounds. I have to acknowledge my in debtedness io the leading free trade organs published in your sister colonies for some of the facts I have used in compiling this paper.

SHERWOOD ESTATE.

The Sherwood estate, only taken np about two years ago, by F. B. Passmore, Esq., shows an enormous amount of work done in the shape of buildings, fencing, cultiva tion, waterworks, &c., which one can hardly credit without seeing. The dwell ing house is finely situated, a gravelled drive forming a circle in front of the house, with a grass plot in the centre, and artistically laid out, flower beds bordering the drive. Behind the flower bed margin of the drive there are about 2 chains of young trees, which extend all round the homestead, and plants are dotted all over the estate numbering 22,000 forest trees, besides 56 acres of blue gums. The dwelling is a square building containing no less than 20 rooms, with a verandah in front, from which is the main entrance, the dining-room being on the left, and private rooms on the right. The house is built in the modern style, well finished inside, witli a conservatory on the side. At the back is a yard surrounded by out-houses of various kinds, and a large water tank is prominent amongst them, capable of holding 22,000 gallons of water for domestic purposes. It is supplied by a windmill pump, of which wc shall after wards speak. At the back of the house is a good gravelled road, continued from the front drive, and leading to the stables. Before going further we were shown into Mi - . Passmore’s office, where there is a large collection of curios from most parts of the world, especially India, Queensland, and Fiji. The whole would make a very creditable museum. The next thing that called our attention was the kitchen garden, lying sheltered between the house and the stables, &c. Here there has been a great deal of time spent, and not in vain, for the garden and its contents, with three or four hot-beds, are looking quite a picture just now, well stocked with almost every kind of vegetable, and a great many fruit trees are coming on well. A short distance from the garden is a piggery with room for about twelve pigs, and a large concrete tank near to drain the sewer, which is useful and convenient for the garden. In another part near the garden are the poultry yards, built in rather a novel style, with a view to facilitating attention to the poultry and getting the eggs. And now the windmill and pump; these are a most important feature on the estate, as they are at present the only means of getting water to supply the large require ments of the estate. The mill is fixed on the top of a large tower, we should think as much as 60 feet high, and the structure is quite an ornament to the place, besides its great service. It supplies three tanks, holding 22,000 gallons, and one of 1,500. This supply is at present found to be quite ample for all requirements. Beyond the mill is the stock yard, stables, sheds, store-rooms, and the sheds where the steam-engines are kept with the ploughs, &c. , used with the same. The first build ing we have to notice is the large stable, containing 26 stalls, four loose boxes, corn room, harness-room, and large lofts for storing grain, feed, <fec. At the back is a stock yard, surrounded with sheds, and a large water-trough in the centre, supplied continually from the large tank. Further on are two large buildings, where the traction-engines and steam-ploughs are stored when not in use, besides a lot of other machinery of various kinds. These buildings are all built of heavy timber and corrugated iron, very substantial and superior-looking structures. Just outside the stock-yard are four or five cottages inhabited by the employees, these build ings are all well built, and have the ap pearance of town cottages rather than country residences. The steam ploughs are now in full work and giving every satisfaction. The amount qf plqugjpng they accomplish is from ten to twelve acres a day, and they roll op harrow sixty seventy acres per day. The manager informs us that the steam ploughs are a great success, and the amount of work that can he got through with i heir assistance is of very great importance to largo es tates such as Sherwood. The wonder is that they ape not more generally used by landowners. We have often heard it suggested that on such a wide tract of flat country as is the County of- Ashburton, a steam cultivator ought to be owned by a number of farmers, and if this were done, a considerable saving would he effected, and work much expedited. The amount of land under cropthisyearisl2soacres, of which J()00 are bx wheat and the balance oats. The crop of wheat is looking re markably well, and a large paddock near the homestead looks like a very good yield indeed. In fact, the crops generally in this district are making capital progress, aud gpeaks well for a hearty return on the large outlay this year in breaking up new land. There is very little stock on the Sherwood Estate except sheep and horses. Of the latter there are 22 draughts, two thoroughbred colts (one took first prize at the A- a n 4 P- A. Show), two fillies, and seven hacks. What with steam ploughs, traction engines, and a siding from the railway line, there is not a great deal of use for horses, and with Mr. Pass more’s ingenuity and skill in using such appliances as he now possesses, and in anticipation, this large tract of country which he has taken up will bo worked with comparatively little expense. The railwaj', which is almost completed, runs through the estate, with a siding for private purposes, which will not only be a great convenience in transit, but an enormous saving, thus giving a much larger profit on the ’produce of the land. The railway line will benefit a groat many other farmers in this distiict, and we look forward to the time at no distant date when a much greater population will be settled on the land through which it runs. The district generally will be reviewed iij a future issue.

RESIDENT MAGISTRA TE'S COURT.

Friday, Deue.mbeii 13. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, 11. M.) EMBEZZLEMENT. Henry Williams Ford was ch ,rged with embezzlement of a watch, value, Ll2 10s. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and 3 •ryeant Pratt conducted the prosecution. John Pratt deponed—Am Sergeant of police in Ashburton. About half-past ten on the night of the 16th inst., Mr. Ringwood reported to me the loss of a watch from his bedroom at the Somerset Hotel. I went with him to the hotel, and told prisoner of the loss, and also that I wanted to search him in his room. I then searched him and found the chain produced in the Court, which he was wearing. He claimed it as his own pro perty'. The watch dropped out of his drawers on the floor. Both articles were identified by' Mr. Ringwood as his pro perty'. lam informed that their value is Ll2.

By Prisoner—l held up the chain pro duced before you. You did not say that it belonged to your sister. You did not find the watch yourself and give it to me. I picked it up on the Hour. Alfred Ringwood said—l am cook at the Somerset Hotel. The prisoner slept in the next room to me. He was in my room at 3.20 on the morning of the 16th. He would have to pass my room to reach hiS own. I left my room at six o’clock. 1 did not fasten the door. I sent prisoner out of my room into his own bed. I hang my clothes behind the door. My watch and chain were in my waistcoat. The watch was a lady’s gold Geneva one, and the chain of jet, with a gold swivel. The articles produced are the ones I had in my vest pocket. Prisoner had no right to take the articles. I value them at Ll2.

By the prisoner—A person named Ed wards was in the room witli me at the time. He stood by the door, which was ajar. I did not leave the room while you were there.

By the Court—When 1 left my room in the morning I loft the watch and chain in the waistcoat. I did not again take the waistcoat till 9.30 that night, when I missed the watch and reported the loss to Mr. Shearman about 10.30, who advised me to go for the police at once. George Eagle, sworn—Am night porter at the Somerset Hotel. I was in pri roner’s bedroom on the night of the IGtli inst. when SergeanTPratt searched him. The watch produced fell out of his drawers on the floor, and Sergeant Pratt picked it up. Prisoner said it was a mystery to him how it should come on his person. The Magistrate gave the usual caution, and prisoner said—When Sergeant Pratt came to me about 11 o’clock on Monday evening, he told me that a watch and chain had been stolen from the hotel, and asked me to let him search me, which I did. I had not the slightest idea at the time that the watch and chain were in my possession. The Magistrate committed prisoner to take his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Christchurch. LARCENY OF A WATCH. William Brennan was charged with stealing a watch, the property of William Quibble. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Denis Moroney, constable, sworn, said —The loss of a watch was reported to me yesterday. I i rrested prisoner on the charge, and he admitted having had the watch. I afterwards received the watch produced from Mr. Quinn. Prisoner had nothing else on him, James Quinn, watchmaker, sworn, said —Prisoner came to my shop on Wednes day last, and offered the watch produced to me for sale for 10s. That is about its value. He gave his name as William Ellis. He said he wanted the watch back on Saturday, and would pay me the 10s back and the cost of repairs. Wm. Quibble, sworn—Am a ploughman. Was at the Somerset Hotel on Wednesday. Saw prisoner there. We were drinking together. I had the watch produced in my pocket whilst there. We left the Somerset together and went to M‘Kenzie’s, and I missed the watch next morning. Had not seen prisoner since till to-day. I did not give him leave to take tho watch. I valued it at L2. By the prisoner—Don’t recollect giving you the watch in Shearman’s to take care of. You did not take me to M'Kenzie’s. Prisoner in defence said that the watch had been given to him in presence of Mr. J. Shear mm:) i and he then took Quibble to M'Kenzie’s and laid him on the sofa. The complainant put the watcli in prisoner’s pocket. As they wore both tipsy lie didn’t know any more about it. Joseph Shearman, sworn —Am barman at Somerset Hotel To prisoner—l did not see prosecutor give you a watch. Prisoner asked me to take charge of it. I refused, and he then pot it in his own pocket. The prosecutor was in liquor. The Magistrate said he was quite satis fied as to the theft, and sentenced prisoner to three months, with hard labor. CIVIL CASES. Fergus v. Carlton.—Mr. Purnell for paintitf; no appearance of defendant. Judgment for Ll 4 7s. Saunders Bros. v. Logan.—Tho sum mons in this gase had been taken out two months ago, and house service had been ordered to be executed, but tho bailiff had not yet effected it. Warner v. Pender.—Claim LI 3s. Id. Plaintiff deponed to the goods having been supplied to the defendant, and that no offer of settleipeijf had been made. Thomas Radford, book-keeper to plain tiff—l gave the goods to the boy to deliver. Some were given to the defen dant's wife. The defendant, Robert Pender, said that moie goods were charged for than received, meat is charged for during the time both his wife and himself were .absent. The defendant s wife said tho hill had five items charged which she had not received- Case adjourned till Tuesday 30th for further evidence.

CRICKET.

ASHBURTON V. GERALDINE. A match was played yesterday between a picked (iv.ni of tin; Geraldine Club and as 111 any uf the Ashburton men as could be induced to go and do cattle for the honor ot their district; and on the muster roll be: a;; called it was found that only nine were there to answer to their names on the ground ; however a couple of sub stitutes were found who made up the com plement. It was evident that the visitors were out matched from the first, the Geraldine Club having in their Captain, Moore, the best all-round man in Canter-' bury, backed up by players equal to take part in a match against an All Eng land eleven. Owing to the late wet weather the ground was very spongy ; and this must be accepted as an excuse for the inferior bowling made, as is shown by the analysis. Piorrepoint for Geraldine, and J. Ash wood, for Ashburton, however, did good service in this department for their respective teams, the former getting five and our local man eight wickets to their credit. Both sides deserve praise for their fielding, but the batting on the Ashburton side showed a great want of practice, which may be judged from the fact that Hodder who went in first, car ried his bn t out for the small score of 11. Geraldine won the toss and elected to play first, innings. The following are the scores ; geraldine first innings. Piorrepoint ... ... ... 2 Murray ... ... ... 7 Hilton ... ... ... ... 29 Moore ... ... ... ... 3 Walker 21 Cox ... ... ... ... fi Beale ... ... ... ... 1 Shorratt ... ... ... 0 Dr. Fish 0 Ward 0 Hughes not out ... ... 0 Byes 2 Leg byes... ... ... 2 Wides 2 No ball 1 Total 7(5 ANALYSIS OF BOWLING. Overs. Mdns. Wkts. Runs. Balls. G. Andrews 16 3 4 34 80 A. Andiews 17 I 5 34 85 J. Ash wood I O I 05 ASH BURTON—FIRST INNINGS. Hodder, not out ... ... 11 A. Fooks ... ... ... 3 G. Andrews... ... ... 2 Douglas ... ... ... 0 A. Andrews ... ... ... 0 J. Ash wood ... ... ... 0 Poyutz ... ... ... 0 Fowler ... ... ... 0 Substitute ... ... ... 0 Zouch... ... ... ... 0 Substitute ... ... ... 5 Wides, 23 Total ... ... 23 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Mdus. Wkts. Runs Balls. Cox 17 6 3 19 85 I'orricpoint 19 15 5 2 95 Moore 3 I I I IS QF.RALniNE SHOUND XNNINGS. Murray ... ... ... 4 Hughes ... ... ... 2 Walker 1 Moore ... ... ... 23 Pierrepoint ... ... 8 Cox 0 Hilton 14 Beale... ... ... ... 4 Sherratt ... ... ... 5 Fish ... ... ... ... 1 Ward, not out ... ... 0 Rye 1 Leg Bye ... ... 1 Wides ... ... ... 4 Total ... ... 08 Grand total 144. BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Wkts. Mdus. Runs. Balls G. Andrews 13 2 I 39 65 I. Ashwqd 12 7 i 21 60 A. Andrews J o 1 0 5 The match between members over 12st and members under 12st takes place in the Domain to-day at 1.30, and it is to hoped that a little more punctuality will be disp’avod than has lately been shown by cricketers. In the match to-day there will be room for any number of volunteers of all sizes, and those having doubts of their weight are recommended to gungo themselves at Messrs. Hodder and Go’s., and bring their certificates with them, and we understand there will be no objection to, say, 20 being tried in the balance together on Montgomery’s weighbridge and having an average struck, even if they are “ found wanting ” afterwards.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

CRICKET.

To THE EUITOK. Sir, — You very correctly remarked in a Lite issue that some cricketers in Ashbur ton only don the flannel when there are important matches to take place. Yon might have further added, with equal justice, that it is quite common now for some of our cricketers to promise to play, both in home and foreign matches, and, without either rhyme or reason; they never think anything more about it, totally re gardless of their own or their confreres’ good name as cricketers. These remarks are drawn forth by the utter disregard of promises and want of principle shown by some gentlemen who had promised to proceed by this, morning’s train to Geraldine, where a match bad been arranged to take place to day at the request of the Geraldine Club, and who* of course, expected the Ashburton cricketers to fulfil their engagement. Oat of thirteen selected only five—namely, Messrs. Hod der, Fooks, Fowler, Ashwood, and Poyntz met at the appointed time, the remainder not thinking it worth their while to keep their promise. What the opinion of the Geraldine cricketers will be at the conduct of their Ashburton friends it is easy to, imagine ; but this is not by any moans the first time matches homo, and more especially foreign—have fallen through in consequence of players disregarding tho promises given to their Captains. It is enough to make one blush when ho hears a stranger mention the words “Ashburton cricketers,” associated as these words are with repeatedly broken promises.

In fact, if matters go on in their pre sent state ; and members do not show a little move regard for their cricketing reputation, and thus not disappoint those whose challenge they have accepted, cricket in Ashburton will be a thing of the past. Hoping this may tend to freshen up our lax players and make them more jealous of their cricketing honor—l am, &c., Always at the Wickets. Ashburton, Dec. 18.

DISENCHANTMENT.

No !.ho, my boy I’m not a churl, With neither rhyme nor reason ! She is, I grant, as fine a girl As I have seen this season. With sparkles in her radiant eyes, Love lurks in every feature-—. I thought she’d be a glorious prize. The noble looking creature. I saw, and much admired her, when At a soiree la(e I met her, I worshipped with a crowd of men,- And longed to know.her better. That feeling soon was gratified, For I was asked to dinner. My rap' are I could scarcely hide— My chance had come to win her. I went—my heart began to thrill As soon as I descried her. We met again, and better still^--h^’ I had the seat beside her. And what Was done, and what was said. It matters not repeating— But muchly “ inwardly I bled" As Miss continued eating ! ■ I thought she never would be done (Of course I did’nt say it, But felt inclined to cut and run For .fear I should betray it). Plate after plate she stowed away With appetite so jolly. I haylnt seen her since that day. And I am cured of—folly. Rakaia. . ,' J. C.,

r ! Saturday, December 20, rS 7as>

4

THE ASHBURTON GUARD!AN



Alterations and additions to the rates for conveyance, delivery, and storage of goods, parcels, &c. , on all the New Zea land Railways, appear in the “Gazette.”



The Wellington Tragedy. The Wellington papers state that the jury who sat on the Miller inpuost had a very un pleasant task in viewing the bodies, which were in exactly the same position as they were discovered. No reason whatever is assigned to this disgusting exhibition, which could certainty serve no good purpose, One newspaper seems to think that New Zealand law forbade the removal of the bodies until they had been viewed by the Coroner's jury, but this is altoge ther a mistake, and the late proceeding at Wellington was neither required by law nor sanctioned by practice.



Continental Horses. A cavalry officer at present stationed in garrison at Letpsic has at the request of the editor of the “ Sport Eeitung,” written in that journal some interesting papers on the history of certain famous Hanoverian studs. Tile passage which would probably •attract most attention from Englishmen relates to the celebrated Royal breed of white horses at Harranhausen. It is a ; s follows :—“ Since a breed of white horses is no longer tu bo found in the Royal stables at Copenhagen, the Harrenhausen stud is now the only one where this special class is regularly produced by breeding. The race originated with the Memsom stud between 1730 and 1740, under King George 11. of England. For stock were selected a fine white stajliqn, named Augustus, a silver grey English stallion known as Es R.u-be Blanc, a light grey brood mare of the riding class, daughter of a brown horse, Cois.v, of Barbary origin, and some other clear grey and pale dun mares. The number was augmented subsequently by some white mares of Danish origin. After several years the wished for result was produced—viz., a pure white offspring. If the white Augustus rqay be regarded as the founder of the race, it cannot be denied that a succession of white Danish stallions con tributed to the result, and especially one purchased in 1740 named Le Blanc. It was after his arrival that the young pro duce became quite white. For many years all these white horses have coal black eyes. They are in general strongly built, but with elegant shapes, and over the middle size ; they have beautiful action, excellent tempers, and great en durance. There are at present thirteen horses in the stud. Neither a horse nor mare is ever sold or given away to strangers. Any anima l with the slightest blemish is killed. ”



“Beautiful moonlight when I came in last night,” said Soszle, breaking the ominous silence at breakfast. Yes,” said Mrs. Soszle, blandly, from the. pther side of the table; “ But scarcely .light enough for you to open the front; door with a boot-liook, or hang the door-mat on the hat-rack.” New England has over 230 farmers’ clubs with 72,000 active members, and library books to the number of 21,0000 and in the United States there are nearly 2,000 agricultural societies, with 58,000 volumes in their libraries; and access to 360 different agricultural publications, all exerting a direct influence on the intelli gence and future prospects of tillers of the soil. Had.— Curran once met his match in a pert, jolly, keen-eyed son of the sod, who acted as ostler at a large stable; and who was up as witness in a case of a dispute in the matter of a horse-trade. Curran much desired to break down the credi bility or this witness, and thought-to do it by making the man contradict himself— by tangling him up in a net-work of adroitly framed questions—but - all to no avail. The ostler was a companion to Sara Weller. His good common sense and his equanimity and good nature ware not to be overturned. By and by ‘ Curran, in towering wrath, belched forth; 'as not another counsel would have dared to do in the presence of the court: “ Sirrah, you are incorrigible ! The truth is not to be got froiq you, for it is not in in you. I see the villain in your face 1” “ I’faith, yer honour,” said the witness, with the utmost simplicity of truth and honesty, “my face must be moity clane and shinin’ inda le, if it can reflect like that!" For once in his life the great barrister was floored by a simple witness. He could not recover from that repartee, and'the c use went against him. /■Vh.vt’s in a Name. — What is a name w/rth ? A good deal apparently in the '/.ind of Alfred Tennyson, who, says a .writer in “ Truth,” is so fully alive to the magic charm of his patronymic that he has declined to become the heir of certain estates in Lincolnshire rather than ex change it for that of Turner. The Laureate’s eldest brother inherited Grasby Hall and some neighboring farms many years back, aud for the sake of the LIOOO or L2.)00 a year which they yielded he entirely dropped the Tennyson, and became the Bev. Charles Turner, a name which appears on the title-page of his book of sonnets. He died a few months ago, leaving no issue, and his wife followed him to the grave within a few weeks. The next heir is the Laureate, but he will not accept the condition which rigorously en forces the entire suppression of Tennyson. Doubtless there will be found a brother or a nephew, if not a son, willing to forego the prestige attached to'the,'family name for the sake of a comfortable Inheri tance ; but the succession is still,' I be lieve, unsettled,