SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER, For Wellington—Wellington, To-day. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train from Christchurch to Port. Albion, Thursday, 23rd. For Napier and the North—Penguin, Saturday, Oct. 25th. Rotorua, Monday, 27th Oct. For Port Chalmers —Arawata, on Wed nesday, Oct. 22nd. Passengers by the 2.40 p.m. train from Christ church to Port, Waitaki, on Thursday, Oct. 23rd. For Melbourne, via, Bluff Arawata, as above. Albion, Tuesday, October 28th. For Sydney—Rotorua, Monday, 27th. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train from Christchurch to Port. Rotomahana, Nov. 7th. For Akaroa— Hawea, on Saturday, Oct. 25th. v For Hobart Town—Albion, on Tuesday, Oct. 23th. For Picton, Nelson, &c.—Wellington, as above. For West Colst and Nelson Maori, Wednesday, 22nd October. All’berths to be secured at the Shipping Office.

COMMERCIAL.

There was a good attendance on Satur day at the vrioui sale rooms in Ashburton, and although transactions are limited a healthier tone exists.

Messrs j. E. Buchanan and Co. report that potatoes sold freely at £4 15s to £5 per ton ; seed do, Flukes and Derwents, 8s 6d per sack. A line of good grass seed failed to fetch a bid, owing probably t to the late season, but can be dealt for privately. Good feed oats are in full aupply, and can be quitted at a low rate for cash. A large quantity of sundries were disposed of at very satisfactory rates. Mr A. Harrison reports that Saturday’s M la showed a slight improvement in tone. Potatoes were in demand, and were quitted at 6s 6d per sack. A quantity of inferior grass seed brought 2s 9d per bushel, and an extensive line in furniture was disposed of at very satisfactory prices. Tinware, of which a large assortment was offered, was also cleared out at rates which the seller was satisfied with.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

s. d. s. d. Butter, inferior to best I? ft i i to i o Eggs, J? dozen - - x o to o o Cheese, prime quality, t? ft O 8 to oio Bacon, prime smoked, lb o 9 to oio Hams in cloth, slb - i o to o o Flour in bags, 100 ft 14 6 to 00 Oatmeal, v 251 b ■ 6 o to o 4 Urd. «?ft - - - 0 9 to o O

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails at the Ashburton Post Office close as follows;

For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a. m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at .15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. A travelling Post Office having been estab lished on the Southern line of railway, letters bearing a late fee of 2d. may be posted at any station in the mail carriage attached to the express train, and they will be included in the mails made up in transit for offices on the main line and branches. Sydney J. Dick, Chief Postmaster.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

. The following letteis from places beyond the colony were received at the Ashburtcn Post Office during the month of August, and temamed unclaimed on Ist October, i°79 : Allinham, J. Charles, Richard - : Critchley, W. S. • ; Deacon, William Devane, Patrick Fraher, John Criffin, Morgan Maclean (or Maclear) John Kennedy, William Kissane, Michael Larkin, Andrew Morrison, James Moriarty. Michael Quinlan. Mary Ryan, Thomas B. Sharp, Sames Valpy, John N. Vincent, J. Walker, Archibald Woodman, W. D. Young, Lewis P. McAllister, Mrs Black, John Xwiss, Michael W. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster.

frr—On the first da; jf each month a list is ex hibited at each Pc .t Office in the Colony of the . addresses of all letters received from places be yond the Colony that have remaind unclaimed for one month at such Post Office; and such of these letters as remain unclaimed at the end of a further period of two months are then for warded -latte’. Dead Letter Office, to be return , od,unopened,l®' the countries where theyorigi ,xilAted. - Unclaimed letters originating in the Colony are not advertised, but at the end of two months are forwarded to the Dead Letter | Office, Wellington, there to be opened and re ,-f turned to the writers.

NOTICE.

NEW POSTAL REGULATION. Letters posted within the colony haying the names and addresses of the senders printed on the address side of the envelopes, accompanied by a request that the letters be returned if not within a stated period, will be return ed tmopen§d, ; Provided, however, such letters shall have remained in the post office to which they may be addressed, at least ten days.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1879.

Major Atkinson has been accused of crying down the colony’s credit in the Home money market, by placing upon the housetop the real present financial posi tion of New Zealand, and what it will probably be at the end of the financial year. We have no idea that the dis closure to English capitalists of a million deficiency will hurt our credit so much as will the telegram that takes Home the information of a reaccession to power by the party whose admirable financing caused the tide of public wealth to ebb so low ; and whose diplomacy kept the true state of afiairs concealed from both the capitalists whoso good opinion we desire to court and the people of the colony who find the interest of the money already borrowed, and that of the £5,000,000 loan which is to be the next increase to our indebtedness.

If we are to borrow money, let us do it under no false pretence. Do not let us go into the market with a sounding boast that we are financially right, while the fact is we are financially wrong. In the end it will be better for us if we tell the truth about our position. Major Atkinson knows this, and has acted upon it, and the country is his debtor for the information he has given it. All the year through the colony has seen indications that the public exchequer was becoming light, and the hurry to get the £5,000,000 through Parliament gave token that things were not so promising as they ought to have been. But the late Government let not a syllable escape indicative of the true state of affairs. Their tactics have rather been to conceal this from the country, and to lull it to sleep in a fool’s paradise of security. The “speech from the throne,” which was so full of highly Liberal measures, hardly mentioned finance, and what it did say regarding that subject has scarcely met with a corroboration in the Financial Statement delivered last week. The Speech told us the colony was financially sound ; but it did not tell us of the falling off in revenue that confronts us in the Colonial Treasurer’s Statement. It did not tell us that, to make good the falling off, we should have to dig deeper than ever into our pockets to satisfy the tax collector, nor that the duties recently remitted, with no benefit to the consumer of the articles set free, would have to be reimposed, and new and additional lines of taxation struck to make up the revenue to the level of expenditure. No indica tion of this kind was given to us. We were allowed to remain in ignorance of the real state of affairs, and the colony’s knowledge of its public finance was at best but a suspicion. Now the murder is out ; and when the hard, cold facts stare us in face, and we know that the Colony of New Zealand, as a going concern, balances with a deficiency, we hear the accountant who has struck the balance accused of injuring the concern’s credit when he writes down the figures. We repeat, those figures will not injure the colony. When the capitalist learns the position of the concern to which he is asked to loud his money, he will learn, we may be sure, in whose hands its affairs were when it got into difficulties. The sum short will not frighten him. It takes a good deal to break the credit of a colony like New Zealand. But when he learns that under Sir George Grey’s management the colony’s affairs financial got mixed, with no sign of effort made to extricate them from their involvement; when he learns that Sir George Grey’s Native Minister has been at liberty to do as he would with the funds of his department; that the same liberty was accorded to his Works Minister ; and that the same team is again in power ; he will think twice before he lets go his gold to make up the coveted £5,000,000. No, the deficiency will not hurt our credit, but our credit will be seriously injured if we allow the mis-man aging directors of affairs again to come to the supremacy.

R.fcM. Court. —At the Resident Magis trate’s Court yesterday, before Mr. Frank Guinness, R.M., Wm. Lambert, charged with being drunk, was let off, as he had not interviewed his Worship on any pre vious occasion.

Outward Mails via Suez.— The out ward mails for the United Kingdom, via Brindisi and Southampton (for specially addressed correspondence only) will close at the Ashburton Post Office this day, at 7.38 p.m. The Brindisi mail is due in London on 15th December, and the Southampton one a week later.

Councillor Campbell. —We regret to learn that it is the intention of Mr James Campbell, of the firm of Acland, Camp bell, and Go,, to remove to Christchurch. In Mr Campbell the borough will lose a a valuable public man, and the Council will have withdrawn from its deliberations a great amount of common sense and shrewdness, qualities that never can be well spared. The New Ministry.— The following is the probable New Ministry;—Premier, Native and Defence Minister, Colonel Whitmore; Public Works (Otago), Mr. Macandrew ; Public Works (Auckland), Mr. Reader Wood ; Treasurer, Mr. Bal lance ; Mines, Mr. Pyke; Customs and Telegraphs, Mr. Montgomery j Agricul ture, Mr. Sheehan. Sir George Grey, it is understood, has given to Mr. Macan drew exactly the same assurance about his disinclination for the office that he gave upon a former tir le to Mr. Lamach, and he is not therefore expected to attempt to upset the new arrangement and come in again, for two or three days at furthest after Mr. Hall’s defeat.

Pound Keeper. —-An advertisement to day announces W. Price’s appointment as keeper of the Ashburton Pound.

Borough Cricket Club. —The mem bers of the Borough Cricket Club will see two advertisements in this issue of which they should make a memo. Dentistry.—Mr Cattlin, surgeon den tist, intends visiting Ashburton at in tervals of a month, and will give notice in our columns of the dates on which he will arrive about a week in advance of his advent.

The Rifle Corps.—We learn that a sergea it-instructor from headquarters will attend at parade to-night, and a full attendance is wanted of the whole strength of the company. The corps will be inspected, and arms should be in perfect order. Colonel Paoke will also inspect the company on Wednesday

Mr. Rees Again. —Mr. Rees, the inde fatigable admirer of Sir George Grey, is pining to again use his brazen thorax in Parliament House. He intends applying to the Supreme Court for a mandamus to compel the Returning Officer to replace his name on the electoral roll, and, if successful, will again stand for the Thames.

The Weather. —The weather is still doing its best to please the agriculturists. Sunday was a disappointing kind of a day for those fond of taking an out ing, and still more so fur young ladies having new spring bonnets and dresses to exhibit, but the rain was just of that soaking kind which tickles the roots of the crops, and sends them shooting up like magic.

TftE Cricket Association. — A moot in'? was held on the ground immediately after the match on Saturday to discuss the rules of the Association. The draft bye laws prepared by the Committee were read, and adopted unanimously, and it was resolved that the Domain Board should be waited upon with a view to having the ground vested in trustees for the benefit of the clubs, .and other matters of interest were discussed.

Cheap Travelling. —The residents of Waterton and Wheatstone will be able to vsiit Ashburton at a considerably less cost for the future than they have hitherto done. Mr George Wilcox, of the Wheat sheaf Hotel, intends running a four-horse coach from Waterton to Ashburton every Saturday, and oftener should sufficient inducement offer. The journey both ways —about 24 miles will be done for the small charge of 3s per head, which is a great reduction on the rates on this line. George is known to be a first-class whip, and we anticipate seeing the old coach piled up every Saturday. . Runaway. —On Sunday afternoon, as Mr Max Friedlander, and Mr David Zander were driving in a dog-cart down East street, their horse started into a gallop by Orr and Go’s., and took down Tancred street. The animal was piloted round the corners until he again reached East street, by his own stables, and then went at top speed towards the mill, his driver’s strength not appearing to have the slightest effect on his mouth, but he was eventually got under control near Mr Tyson Hodgson’s, after a three mile spin, without any damage being done. Pedestrianism. —A sprint match for £6 was run on Saturday afternoon in Burnett-street, between E. Oughten and McFarlane, the race to be won by the first two out of three events at 200,150, and 100 yards, the longest match being the first. Both men looked in good condition, the little cabby (Oughten) being the favorite. The ground was hardly what we should consider suitable—as a hard, metalled road is not particularly pleasant to travel on, especially at top speed. Oughten easily disposed of the West Coaster, winning the first two events by about a yard each, and there was there fore no necessity for completing the 100 yards match. —The match between C. Riscly and Forward, of Tcmuka, is to be run off next week, and both men are in training. The race is expected to be a close thing. A Miracle. —The “ Tablet ” having ex hausted the available category of modern miracles recorded in the European news papers, says an exchange, is driven as a last resource to the veracious records of the “ Transpacific Press ” and in the last issuegravelyrepublishesthefollowing : “A beheaded Kansas rooster still lives, after four months of decapitation. He is fed at the throat, and is in good health. The head was cut off at the base of the brain without injuring the spinal column.” It is worthy of remark that the editor did not ascribe this phenomenon to the direct or indirect influence of secular education. An Old Campaigner. —Amongst the many rumors which are afloat in the lob bies, says the Wellington “ Chronicle,” is one to the effect that the Hon. Captain Baillie with apparent generosity refused to accept the salary attached to his posi tion of Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council. People who were verdant wondered at this great self-sacri fice, but the knowing ones assert that by this seeming patriotism the gallant cap tain made about £l5O. The explanation is said to be that had the Chairman of Committees drawn the monthly salary at tached to his office he would have been compelled to give up the honorarium at tached to his office as a member of Par liament. The salary of the Chairman of Committees would have been under £SO whilst the honorarium was £2lO. Wise Captain Baillie ! Tonic Sol Fa Class.— -Mr J. S. Savage announces that he intends es tablishing a singing class on the Sol Fa principle. As any of our readers who have attended the musical entertain ments in Ashburton conducted by Mr Savage, must be aware he is a thorough master of the system he proposes to teach ; and we know a considerable num ber of people, especially young people, in in Ashburton, whose voices would be em ployed to better advantage in a vocal choir than thad in idling their evenings away. We are of opinion that an ex penditure of 10s Gd per quarter, and regular attendance at the lessons would be° a source of pleasure to many of our townspeople, who are often at a loss as to whore and how to spend an evening. Pro vision will be made for teaching cliildren an hour earlier than adults. Those de sirous of joining are requested to meet at Quill’s Commercial Sample Rooms, Saunders’ Buildings, on Wednesday next, at 7.30 p.m. We wish Mr Savage every success.

North Ashburton Bridge. —At a late meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board the application of a deputation from the Mount Somers Board for a quarter share of the cost of the proposed bridge over the north branch of the Ashburton near McFarlane’s to be borne by the first named body was considered, and it was decided that as a large special giant had been made from the Land Fund by the County Council to the Mount Somers Board for the purpose of erecting bridges in their district, that they could not recognise any liability on their part to contribute towards the cost, and would not therefore pay any share towards the erection. The County Council and Mount Somers Board will, in consequence, have to bear the whole cost of the bridge between them.

Fire Brigade. At a meeting of the committee of the Fire Brigade held yes terday afternoon, it was decided that application should be made to the Borough Council for a grant of Section No. 434, in Taucred Street, for a permanent site for the station ; and as the bell is not suffi ciently loud in tone to be heard, an order was given to Messrs. A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin, to cast one not less than 3cwt. This, when mounted on a 35ft. tower, should make its dreaded sounds audible in any part of the town. It may be expected here in about ten days, and w r e will then be able to judge what local industry can do in the way of bell casting. The old bell is for sale, and some of the country chapels should avail themselves of the chance of obtain ing the article cheap, as the brigade will not sell it to be used in town on account of the tone.

The Akaroa Railway. As we an ticipated in our last issue, the meeting at the Rakaia called for the purpose of urging the Government to push on with the Akaroa Railway came to naught. Why such a meeting should have ever been convened is a mystery to us. Rakaia is in direct railway communication with the best conducted seaport in the colony and could have nothing to gain, ex cept extra mileage, by sending her grain to Akaroa, and the reason given by Mr Dicken, who appeared upon the scene to advocate the claim of Akaroa, appeared to fall very flat upon his audience, as the only argument he could adduce was that the Moorhouse tunnel might fall in some day, and thbs stop the traffic to Lyttelton. The meeting did not seem to be inclined to throw over a friend for a future doubt ful one, and unanimously resolved that the initiative in the matter should not be taken in the Rakaia district.

A Stiff Storm. —To give an idea of the weather experienced at home, we make the following extract : “ Writing from Twickenham, a gentleman states that dur ing a heavy storm in July over 900 panes of "glass out of about 1000 in his vineries and flower houses were broken. On the balcony of the house every pane of thick, rough glass in the roof was destroyed, and a stained-glass staircase window shared the same fate. He picked up hail stones over five inches in diameter.”

A Clown’s Funeral. —Billy Walton, the clown, died recently at Finchley. The funeral procession was according to Billy’s own directions. First rode the ring-mas ter, leading four of the circus ladies in costume. These ladies were followed by the bounding brothers, the sword swal lowers, the saltimbangues, the barebacked riders, and other male performers. Then came a dwarf, carrying a black flag, and after him the Barbary ape, Jacko, on a Shetland pony. Jacko was dressed in a suit of sables, and his pony was decked in trappings of woe. The coffin was borne on an open bier, and on the plate, where the royal coronet should be, were the motley garments of the clown. Two clown colleagues followed the hearse and filled the position of chief mourners ; they were chalked, ochred, and dressed as if for performance. The cavalcade was wound up by part of the circus band in one of the gaudy professional carriages. They played such airs as “ Go where glory waits thee,” “Down among the dead men,” “In some far sultry clime,” and and other gems selected by their deceased comrade. At the cemetry the last re mains of Billy Walton were laid in the grave, and when the daisy quilt was snugly spread over him, each of his bro ther clowns turned a summersault over his resting place, and with that, the ser vice concluded.

Local Artists. —Ashburton will not be in the back ground at the exhibition to be held in Dunedin in December next. We understand that Mr and Mrs Stott have landscape paintings in hand which will vie with the efforts of any of our colonial artists. One painting represents the “ Smugglers at Moeraki Bay,” and is very bold in its design and coloring, and another represents that terror to rail way passengers the railway along the Blue Cliffs. We think the railway authorities should purchase this picture, as any person looking at it would certainly never buy a ticket to travel on such a suicidal looking line of railway, and should the picture ever come to be lithographed, which its merits qualify it to be, we are of opinion that more work will be found for engineers and navvies to find a new and safer route to Dunedin. Two other paintings show great merit, but we hope to be able to do justice to them when finished, as “ fules and bairns should na’ see half-dune wark.”

How to Break an Ox.—Somebody wrote the editor of a village paper to ask how he would break an ox. The editor replied as follows “If only one ox, a good way would be to hoist him, by means of a long chain attached to his tail, to the top of a pole 40ft from the ground, then hoist him by a rope tied to his horns to another pole. Then descend on his back a 5 ton pile-driver, and if that don’t break him, let him start a country news paper, and trust people for subscriptions. One of the two will do it sure. ”

The Borough Council Offices.— Last night the Borough Council of Ash burton held their first meeting in their new offices, and after the business was over the event was celebrated by a little merry making, the needful for which was kindly supplied by the Mayor with his usual open-handedness. The health of the CounciUJhaving been drunk, the Mayor, in proposing the toast referring to the happy feeling existing amongst the members, the healths of the Works Committee were given, and responded to by Messrs St. Hill and Roberta. It was stated by the Mayor that the Council had been blamed for building officesat all, but

lie pointed out that the buildings had been erected with a view to their being made use of in happier and more pros perous times as a cottage for their over seer, or other officer. The room they were then meeting in could be partitioned, and an excellent four-roomed cottage would then be obtained. At the time they were erected, too, they had tended greatly to relieve the labor market in the building trade. Other toasts, such as the officers of the Council, the Press, and finally, though not least, his Worship the Mayor were given, and responded to, and the Council settled down to Committee business.

PUBLIC MEETING AT RAKAIA.

A meeting was held at the Town Halb Rakaia, on Saturday evening last, Mr 0. N. Mackie, Chairman of the District Road Board, presiding, for the purpose of considering the advisability of urging upon the Government the necessity of at once proceeding with the work in con nection with the Akaroa railway and tunnel. The attendance was limited. The Chairman explained at some length the object for which the meeting was called, and introduced Mr Dickon, of Akaroa, to explain to the meeting the ad vantages likely to accrue to Rakaia. Mr Dicken explained to the meeting the necessity of having an additional har bor, by which the produce of South Can terbury could find another outlet, and the advantages to be gained by the plains in the event of a break down in the tunnel at Lyttelton. There would also be the further gain to the district of timber being conveyed at low rates from the Little River Bush to a good market in the Ashburton county, and he pointed out other directions in which both Akaroa and Rakaia could mutually be of service to each other. On the motion of Mr B. S. Coster it was unanimously resolved—“ That it is not advisable for the South Rakaia specially to urge the Government to pro ceed with the Akaroa railway and tun nel.” A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

[by telegraph.] FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, Oct. 18. Mr Bryce did not make the best of his strong case last night. He is not an agreeable speaker, and still less is he an able advocate. So that he made no telling comments on the alarming facts he com municated to the House. More than £IO,OOO had been spent on persons in the North Islaind, who are called native land purchasers, but who are probably all Joshua Joneses ; and nearly £19,000 had been got rid of under the heading ‘ ‘ Con tingencies. ” Mr Bryce said that although “ the wicked flee where no man pursued,” he did not intend to be the pursuer, and did not consider it his business to expose the Ministry. His predecessor, Mr Sheehan, could not suppress his glee at finding so generous a successor, and im mediately proceeded with his party to presume that there was nothing to ex pose. Major Atkinson followed, but did not speak well, and Mr Thomson spoke better than he usually does, giving expression to the views of those who either cannot or will not see the effect of the facts brought out by the new Colonial Treasurer and the new Native Minister.

Oct. 20. Sir George Grey has taken to writing leaders in the “ New Zealander” against the Governor. Wellington papers report a contem plated coalition, but there is no truth in their surmises on that subject. There is to be a caucus meeting of Go vernment supporters this afternoon at 3 p. m. There are some symptoms that the ma jority of four supposed to be against the Government would be found wanting if the House divided at once, and that the division would be .a tie. It is very uncer tain how the House will divide after the No-Confidence debate, which may very likely be a long one, as the new members wore kept down in the late debate, and will take out the compensation in the coming one. Later. At a caucus of Ministerial supporters, this afternoon, it was resolved with great unanimity and animation that there should be no compromise or concession, but that the party would insist on pushing on their measures or ask the Governor for a disso lution, which Sir George Grey’s own con duct will ensure their getting. This means that the Greyites must support the measures which they were returned to support, or be sent back to their consti tuents. It was the unanimous opinion of the party that it would bo a lesser evil to let Sir George bo the avowed Premier than to have him the acting Premier under cover of Macandrew, Sheehan, Ballance, or Montgomery. There is no truth in the report that £BOO,OOO of the five million loan has been raised. The loan has not yet been placed on the market.

TELEGRAPHIC.

I NTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 20.

A fire took place early this morning in Masefield’s Buildings, Albert-street, at Branston and Foster’s, gas fitters. Foster, one of the partners, slept on the premises, and says he was awakened by hearing sounds of falling plaster. On getting up he saw that the drawing-room and pattern loft were on fire, and gave the alarm. The fire subsided in half-an-hour, but the damage was considerable. Also the roof of Masefield’s office was destroyed, and the contents of the shop of Reynolds, a lapi dary, were injured. The firm had in surances on the work-shop and pattern loft to about £IOO in the New Zealand Company. The origin of the tire is un known, but Foster thinks it arose in con nection with the gas fittings. Brunchman Boreham was severely cut by falling slates, and fainted from loss of blood.

A movement is on foot to form a second Volunteer Artillery Corps, under Captain Isaacs. Forty have already joined. Wellington, Oct. 20.

The following has been officially sup plied to all representatives of the press : We .are authorised by the Committee of Management of the Liberal party to state that the absurd rumors which have been circulated in the papers respecting a coalition, are entirely without foundation. No member of the party ever contem plated such a movement. We are further authorised to state that no member of the party will agree to a coalition, and no overtures of the kind have ever been made by the Opposition. Dunedin, Oct. 20.

The case arising out of the malicious accusations made by a correspondent from Hyde, and published in the “ Otago Daily Times,” has been settled by that journal giving an ample apology ; and a writ for £2,500 has been issued against the “ Mount Ida Chronicle” for the reproduc tion of the scandalous article against Professor Wallenburgth and Dr. Grant. BRITISH & FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. (Reuter's Telegrams.) London, Oct. 15. The Ismyr is reported at Lloyds as miss ing. Oct. 16. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £10,500,000. News from Capetown states that Sir Garnet Wolseley had interviewed a meet ing of the Boers in Transvaal, and an nounced the annexation of a portion of the territory. The Boors replied that inde pendence alone would satisfy them. Oct 17. Best Australian beef tallow, 85s per cwt.; best do., mutton, 36s per cwt.

There are large withdrawals of gold for Germany and North America. The Cape war is completed successfully. The troops have commenced to evacuate the territory of Zululand. Calcutta, Oct. 17. General Roberts has proclaimed the demolition of Balahissar. Madrid, Oct. 17. Heavy floods have taken place, rivers overflowing and causing enormous loss. Three hundred and thirty people have been drowned.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Renter's Telegrams.) Sydney, Oct. 19. Arrived —Rotomahana, from New Zea land. Four miners have been sentenced to imprisonment for two years, two for riot ing and two for intimidation. Melbourne, Oct. 18.

The following stamp duties have been proposed by Government : —One penny on cheques, Is for every £SO on bills, and 50s for every £IOO on insurance premiums.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 18,

An accident was caused last night by an explosion of ammunition in the Naval Brigade pinnace. A seaman named Solo man was injured, and in the panic some men leaped overboard. One was in danger of drowning, but was rescued by a sea man. More boats put off from ships in the harbor, but their services were not re quired. The wounded seamen, Bryan, Jones, and Davis, are not seriously hurt, the injuries being principally burns on the arms, face, and head. They are progress ing favorably. An enquiry will probably be held as to the cause of the occurrence.

The hoy Henry Jeffery, who was injured by an accident at the Aratapu saw mill, has died from his wounds. The accident occurred through his creeping under the revolving shaft, which caught his apron and took him over instantly, the body being fearfully bruised and broken before the engine could be stopped.

A number of seaman belonging to the ship Famonoth have been arrested for re fusing duty. Mr James Mackay, Native Commis sioner, has gone to Piako in connection with the native outrage.

It was resolved to hold a Volunteer review on November 19 at the Thames, and invite the Waikato Cavalry and Auck land Volunteer Corps. Grahamstown, Oct. 18.

Messrs Rees and James M'Donald are mentioned as likely candidates for Parlia mentary honors here. Mr James M'Cabe, of the Queen of Beauty, died yesterday. The gold returns for the week amount to 7730z5.

Dunedin, Oct. 18.

There was some splendid shooting at the competition of No. 1 City Guards this morning to select a team for the Ladies’ Challenge Shield. Volunteer Coventry made 56 points at 200, 400, and 500 yds., making a possible 20 at the 400 yds. range.

In Chambers this morning, on the ap plication of Mr E. Cook, acting for Charles Woodlock, Mr Justice Williams granted the order directing William Woodlock and Mary Jane Woodlock, alias Waters, to deliver to petitioner the body of his infant male child now in their custody. The house of Mr Walker, at Port Moly neaux, was totally destroyed by fire on Oct. 15. Insurances—National, £IOO.

The Executive Committee of the Indus trial Association have adopted a petition for presentation to Parliament, praying for the establishment of a discriminating tariff which will afford a measure of protec tion to local industry.

LATEST

LATEST FROM EUROPE (Renter's Telegrams.) London, Oct. 18. At a Conservative meeting at Manches ter, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs justified the policy of the Govern ment in reference to the Afghanistan war, and stated that the principle was the defeat of Afghan, not dominion. Calcutta, Oct. 18. An impressive entry was made into Cabul by the British forces. General Roberts issued a proclamation stating that the city should bo spared, but heavy fines would be imposed upon the inhabitants. A general disarmament of the city and suburbs would take place, and prompt measures would be taken for the capture of the mutineers.

Pet. ID. The Ameer Yakoob Khan to abdicate.

General Roberts has made provisional arrangements for the administration of Government.

The Kuram tribes are in a great state of commotion.

Constantinople, Oct. 18.

The Passes of the Balkans are at pre sent unoccupied by the Turks, because no formidable feature of Russian aggression is expected there. The occupation of Novi Bazar was included in the definition of Russian aggression on Turkish territory in that direction. If the rumors of an alliance beteen Germany and Austria are true, the news will be hailed with joy by all valuers of peace. London, October 27.

Australian wheat, 60s Gd per quarter. Arrived —Duke of Sutherland, from Sydney, July 5. Waimate, from Lyt telton,M uly 19th.

New York, Oct. 16. The “ Agricultural Bureau’s ” monthly report states that the average of the crop in the cotton States is 19 per cent short.

Calcutta, Oct. 18. Martial law has been proclaimed at Cabal.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Reuter s Telegram.)

Melbourne, Oct. 20.

Copious rainfall throughout the colony. Crops are looking healthy, and harvest prospects are good.

Sydney, Oct. 20.

Serious floods are reported at Albury, Tumut, and Adelong, causing great loss of property.

A destructive fire has occurred at Mait land ; four shops wore completely des troyed.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Oct. 20.

The damage at the fire in Forster’s is \ estimated at £9OO. Mansfield had the block of buildings insured in the Royal for £IOOO. Broslin and Foster have their > stock insured for £IOOO, their pattern loft’s contents for £350, insured in New Zealand and Queen. A cablegram received announces the death of Captain Carey, on board the Rotomahana, of heart disease, on the passage from Auckland to Sydney. He was well-known on the coast.

A public meeting was held to-night, at which the Mayor presided, to consider the action of the Grand Jury in the case of the Minister of Maxine, and a resolution was carried, with tumultuous applause, as follows:—“That a gross miscarriage of, justice had taken place, calculated to bring the administration of law and" justice into contempt.” It was resolved ■ to petition Government to appoint a Com mittee of Enquiry. New Plymouth, Oct. 20. '

The Parihaka meeting has terminated ! for this month, and this morning a hun-' dred natives passed through town on their way home. Te Whiti delivered his usual speech on Friday last, but it was simply a repetition of his former The only noticeable change he was not quite so sanguine as hitherto of the triumphant return of the prisoners from Wellington. The great sickness which has' prevailed at Parihaka has had the effect of driving away all the natives who did nqt: live there, their faith in the prophet being sufficient for them to rely upon him as the healer of his people’s afflictions. T© Whiti’s claim to divine authority has re ceived a decided check by the recent out break of disease, the most devoted of hif followers being constrained to admit s the prophet can’t heal disease in the mah ner they had expected. Te Whiti may be now considered, for the time being, deserted by his people, as they generally express’ determination never to return to Parihaka so long as sickness prevails. Wellington, October 20.

During an excursion trip of the steamer Huia to Picton on Saturday night, and while going into Tory Channel she struck twice on the rocks. The Captain states she had been driven off her course by a strong current. On reaching Picton she was leaking, but was allowed to retum here, and it is intended to place her joh the slips for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of her injuries. Christchurch, Oct. 20. .

A fire in Victoria street was rather a serious affair. Sharpler’s cottage and store were burned down. They were in-* sured for £250 in the Sun office . :

The police, armed with a search war rant, this afternoon visited the offic6s of a well-known solicitor, in pursuit of a docu T ment which was important to the prosecu tion in the Timaru forgery case. The office was searched in vain by six con stables, and nothing but two safes were left unransackod. The keys were not produced, and two blacksmiths were pro cured who commenced to break them open. After one blow had been struck the solicitor gave in, and handed over the document under protest. He could not see the destruction of the safes which were valued at £l4O.

The Supreme Court was occupied till nearly eight o’clock this evening by the case of Wright versus W. Wilson. The plaintiff sought for equitable relief in the matter of a conveyance of land to the former by the latter. The evidence was of a most conflicting nature, and Judge Johnston said it was quite evident that perjury had been committed. The verdict was substantially for the plaintiff op fdl the issues. Wilson is the well-known Christchurch seedsman.

Timaru, Oct. 20. H. D. Manning, a publican at Pleasant Point, was brought up to-day at the R.M. Court, charged with abetting one Edward James to forge the name of another cer tain Edward James, owner of 100 acres of land situated in Timaru district. The case, on the application of the defendant, was remanded till Monday, bail being allowed.

Edward Jeffreys was committed for trial to-day for attempting to upset a train at Normanby.- It is stated that Mr Whitefoord, the Kaipoi Resident Magistrate is to be re moved to Poverty Bay, while Mr Beswiok Resident Magistrate at Lyttelton, will get his place. The Lyttelton vacancy is to be filled up by an old resident in that town. The Drainage Board have determined to deposit £90,000 of the newly raised loan -t at the Bank of New Zealand for six months.

Dunedin, Oct. 20. Over fifty lunatics are now located at \he temporary asylum at Seaoliff.

[Tuesday, October si, 1879

2

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN





Seedsmen. SEALY BROS., Seedsmen and nurserymen, East Street, ASHBURTON. Farm, Garden, and Flower Seeds and Garden Requisites of every descrip tion at Lowest Rates. Nursery —Moore Street. 43