SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON.

Arrived. Y ESTBRDAY. Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. Thames, ketch, from Pelorus Sound. To-day. Stella, C.G. s.s., from the North. Oreti, s.s., from Dunedin. Sailed. Yesterday. Ringavooma, s. s., for Auckland, via way ports. To-day. Wanaka, s.s., for Port Chalmers. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Transport, brig, from New castle. Sailed —Southern Cross, for Napier ; Tararua, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Sailed—Hannah Sanders, barque, for San Francisco ; Saucy Lass, schooner, for Lyttelton ; Penguin, for the North ; Lyttelton, for Lyttelton ; Wallace, for Nelson ; Hinemoa, for Opunnke. G key mouth, Y estcrclay. Arrived—Cleopatra, from Lyttelton. 1 Melbourne, Yesterday. ■ Arrived —-Arawata, s.s., from the Bluff.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary ' alterations) as under; Friday, December 31. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, &c., as under Money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m.; books and newspapers, at 9 p.m.; ordlnai’y letters, at 10 p.m. A supplementary mail will be closed at 7 p.ra. on Saturday, January, 1, 1881. Late fee letters may be posted in the guard’s van attached to the 8.30 p.m. train on Saturday, January 1. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a. m., and sp. m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Terauka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 A.m., and 4.20 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 Longheach, *t 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanni, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a, m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.tri., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Fr»m Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.ra. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. in. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G, Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, December 21. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Ashburton Yards —Sheep and Cattle. Friday, December 24. Mr. T. Bullock—Usual Weekly Sale. Tuesday, January 4. Quill and Co., Monthly Sale, Mount Somers. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. To-Night, Friday, December 17. Ashburton Fire Police, Meeting of Mem bers, Shearman’s Hotel, 3 p.m.

TRAVELLERS' GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at G a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly 011 the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will he inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1880. The Water Supply.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p. m. ]

We observed with great pleasure in the Engineers’ report to the Borough Council the inception of a scheme to supply a flow of water to the part of the town on the north-western side of the railway. As is known, the only ap proach to a supply that the town on the other side of the railway possesses is what flows along the channel in West street, the district above that line hav ing no benefit whatever from the excel lent supply that the lower portion of the town enjoys. The Engineer, Mr. Books, proposes to take the water from the course in Winter’s road, along one of the cross streets to Alford Forest road, striking the lattter at a point that would enable him to command suffi cient fall for distribution over nearly every part of the district he desires to water. The details of the scheme have not yet been worked out, but from an examination of the ground we think the idea is perfectly feasible, and will be successful. It seems to us, if it should turn out what we think it will, and what all will no doubt hope it will, to be a far better scheme than lapping the stretch of water above the cricket ground. which would only partially water the upper portion of the town, and has some difficulties in gradients connected with it that would require to be overcome. The new scheme, it is thought, will be able to supply the North-west Town belt, and all the other streets on what has hitherto been called the “ neglected side,” and it is to be hoped that the matter will be taken up energetically. It was we believe, from the eminently practical Mr. Williamson that the suggestion first came, and at once made itself apparent to our equally practical engineer. We do not antici pate that Mr. Books will encounter much difficulty in preparing details of a stoce.e?§ful scheme of the kind he hinted at in hfa peport, and the only possible difficulty ,ip tjhe way is one of

finance. BpLthis .latter difficulty die people of Ashburton ■ have begun to look upon as slight indeed, seeing how admirably the Mayor has financed the Borough into funds an occasions when the prospect seemed dreary enough. It only remains for him to devise some means of readily reducing the obstacles that stand in the way of raising the loan he proposes to obt in, and the history of his term is ample proof that if the money can be pro cured at all, our local Gladstone is the man to do it.

New Telegraph Station. —A tele graph station has to-day been opened at Sydenham, County Selwyn. Total Abstinence. —Rev. A. J. Smith preaches a temperance sermon on Sunday morning, in the Primitive Methodist Church. Funeral Tenders. —Mr. T. A. Gates is the successful tenderer for the funerals conducted in Ashburton under the Chari table Aid Board. 1.0. —The Unity Degree Temple holds a meeting on Tuesday evening next, in the Templar Hall, when the Third De gree (Charity) will be conferred. A Strike. — A telegram from Christ church this morning states that all the compositors on the Lyttelton Times, Canterbury Times, and Star have struck, in consequence of a disagreement with the proprietors respecting the payment of certain work—technically termed “fat.” The Old Men’s Home Treat. —Contri- butions will be thankfully received by the master of the Old Men’s Home towards the usual Christmas treat for the inm. Acs, and wo hope the inhabitants of Ashburton will not be backward in contributing, if only a trifle, towards making a cheerful, if not a merry day for the aged ,md crippled. 1.0. —The Will and the Way Lodge held their usual weekly meeting on Wed nesday evening last. There was a good attendance of members, and two candi dates were proposed for membership. 'The reports of the officers were very satis factory. It ivas decided to hold the •• oxt meeting in the new Temperance Hall, Tinwald, and make final arrangements with that company after their next meet ing. Tinwald Temperance Hall. The directors of the Tinwald Temperance Hall Company held an adjourned meeting last evening, at which the new building was formally handed over to the company. The matter of rents for occupation of the hall was then gone into, which occupied a great part of the evening. Mr. Smith was instructed to get seats and tables made suitable for the building. Two gentlemen were rained as auditors, and it was de cided to call a general meeting of the shareholders about the middle of next month. They Were Had.— lt is customary with a certain portion of the public to try and dodge the gatekeeper at the racecourse when races are held, by hitching horses on the gravel reserve opposite Thompson’s corner. This game did not, however, succeed yesterday, as the Secretary to the Race Club had, since last meeting, ob tained a lease of the reserve from the Upper Ashburton Road Board. During yesterday afternoon, the said Secretary, with an assistant, walked off six horses, and took them through the gates, fastened them in the saddling paddock, and there and then handed them over to the tender mercies of the poundkeeper. It is need less to observe that it would have been far cheaper for the owners of these animals to have paid their legitimate fee at the gates, as their entry cost Gs. per head instead of 2s. Consecration of a Royal Arch Chapter. —The Ashburton Kilwinning Royal Arch Chapter, S.C., No.— was duly consecrated and office-bearers in stalled yesterday, at noon in the Masonic Hall, by M.E.Z. Comp. T. Stapleton and Juhal Fleming, P.Z., assisted by M. E. Comp. J. Smith, Z., andL. E. Elerig, H., and the officers and members of the Can terbury Kilwinning, R. A. C., 13G, S. 0. , who assembled in large numbers to do their companions at Ashburton honor on this occasion. The following office-hearers were installed :—R. W. Shearman, Z.; W. H. Gundry, H.; G. -St. Hill, J.; C. Braddell, S.E. ; W. Power, S.N.; J. Smith, trea surer ; H. Zander, Ist soj.; T. Bullock, 2nd soj.; A. Thiele, 3rd soj. The Chapter was consecrated under warrant fromM.E. Comp. P. Patterson, 33. - ., P.G. S. for New Zealand, Dunedin. After the con secration, the Comps, sat down to a splendid luncheon, catered for by Comp. A. Thiele, after which the usual loyal toasts were duly honored. The Christ church visitors returned by the express to town, after having spent a very enjoyable day. Cole’s Circus. —To-day the town has presented the appearance of a fair, owing to the arrival of Cole’s immense circus, and the influx of visitors which it attracted. The circus arrived by special train of fifty carriages and trucks early in the morning, and during the forenoon innumerable workmen were busy erecting the large marquees on the Baring square reserve. For a time the place at a distance looked more like a good-sized harbor than a corner section in an inland town, so many tall masts were standing up. These, however, were dressed in canvas in an amazingly short time, and soon everything was shipshape. The large troop of excel lent horses, the drove of camels, and the herd of elephants were the subjects of close scrutiny and great admiration during the day. The large Mai’queca are three in number; the first contains the menagerie, Ac., the second is devoted to exhibitions proper to a circus, while the third is the “ sideshow.” In addition to these are a large dressing tent for the performers, a canvas stable for the horses, and other smaller erections, while just outside stands the electric light apparatus, which we understand Avill be at work in the evening. The first performance began to-day at one o’clock, and was fairly patronised, hut of course the great attrac tion will be in the evening. The entrance to the show faces Mr. Tucker’s yard, and admits the visitor to the menagerie, and after time has been allowed for an inspec tion of the wild beasts, the circus per formance takes place in the adjoining marque.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Peu/er’s Agency.) The Greek Question. London, Dec. 16.

Turkey has issued a circular note in voking the Great Powers to urge Greece to abandon her armament and negotiate instead. The Times, in a leading article, announces that England is will ing to join the Great Powers for the purpose of settling the Greek question if France imitates. Got Off.

London, Dec. 1,0.

T. M,' Healy, who accompanied Mr. Parnell on bis American tour, and Mr. J. M. Walsh, one of the prominent leaguers, who were committed for trial on a charge of intimidating a farmer named Mailing, and were recently brought up for trial, have now been acquitted of the charge brought against them.

AUSTRALIAN.

[Per Reuter's Agency.) The Reform Bill. Melbourne, Dec. 16,

It is expected that an animated dis cussion will take place on the Reform Bill, and it is probable that Parlia ment will be summoned soon for its discussion.

Melbourne, To-day

In consequence of the Liberals ob jecting to any delay with the.,Reform, of the Constitution Bill, Mr. Berry' has abandoned the proposed prorogation of Parliament, on the understanding that the Reform Bill will be immediately discussed. It is expected that the recess will, therefore, be indefinitely postponed, and Messrs. Berry and Vale will be unable to represent Victoria at the Intercolonial Conference when it meets at Sydney next month. More Protection. The Government have : doubled the duty on oatmeal imported into Victoria. The Governor’s Speech. Sydney, Dec IC.

Parliament has been opened by the Governor, who, in his speech on the occasion, promised the introduction of Bills dealing with municipal and local self-government, the inspection of sea going vessels, regulation of the liquor traffic, fisheries, also oyster fisheries, consolidation of the criminal lav.', and contempt of Court He further stated that an increase of revenue,'amounting to L 600,000 was shown since July Ist as compared with last year. He re ferred slightly to the extension of ex isting railways, and concluded by mak ing reference to the Inter-colonial con ference lately silting.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) The Judges. Auckland, To-day. Owing to the leave of absence granted to his Honor Judge Williams, Judge Gillies takes the Otago circuit, and Judge Richmond returns to Auckland to trans act the judicial business till Judge Gillies returns. Important Items. Bishop Stuart, accompanied by Arthur Mills, Esq., ex M. P. for Exeter, proceeded to the Hot Lakes. Mr. Mills afterwards goes to Canterbury. Mr. R. Stout passed through Auckland yesterday, having attended the Land Court at Taupo on behalf of Kemp. Ho returned through the Lake country. ' The Court was adjourned owing to incorrect boundaries. The King Natives and Tuhi. The latest news from the Maori king country, relates that the Kingites have no sympathy with Tuhi They express satisfaction that he did not escape, and “ Take his trouble there.” Betting on the Auckland Cup. The following are the latest quotations on the Auckland Cup : —Betrayer, 100 to 80 ; Foul Play, 100 to 50 : Lara, 100 ,to 20 ; Le Loup, 100 to 10 ; 100 to 8 to 100 to 1 against the rest. Remanded. Wellington, To-day. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, John Robertson was remanded to Sydney, it being alleged that he was one of the persons concerned in the robbery of a sum of money and jewellery there in 1878. A respectable looking man named John Keele, who was arrested at Wanganui, was brought up 011 a chare of issuing value less cheques in Wellington, and was re manded until to-morrow. 1.0.G.T. The Temperance Conference resumed its sittings to-day. Tlie officers for the ensuing year were elected, and it was de cided that the next session of the Grand Lodge should be hold at Invercargill.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN WELLING TON.

(by telegraph.) Wellington, To-day. A fire broke out in an unoccupied cottage in Fraser’s lane at 1.30 this morning. Tire building was soon burned to the ground, and the flames rapidly spread to a five-roomed cottage, occupied by Mr. A, Cutter, and owned by J. Gascoigne, which was also des troyed. An attached house, occupied by Mrs. Delacy, was partly burnt. The unoccupied house was owned by Mr. Thompson, boardinghouse-keeper, and was insured in the Union for LIOO, but Mr. Gascoigne is insured for Ll5O in the New Zealand Insurance Com pany. Mr. Cutter is a heavy looser, as his furniture was entirely uninsured. The origin of the fire is at present unknown.

THE CONVICTION OF THE TIMARU RIOTERS UPHELD.

♦ (By Telegraph.) Christchurch, To-day. At the Supreme Court, in Banco, this morning, the appeal against the decision of the Lower Court in the case of the Timaru rioters was argued. Mr. Harper appeared for the Queen, and Mr. Joynt for the appellants,,.-The,, appeal was dismissed.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

—« ASH BURTON. -To-bay! (Before Mr. Nugent Wood, 11. M.) Creditors, Trustee of Joseph Dale, with Culf and Graham, v. Orr and Co. This was a case in which Cuff and Graham claimed L 37 ns the value of a reaper and binder seized by defendants under a bill of sale, and which plaintiffs alleged was not included in the schedule. Evidence at some length was taken, and the case lasted an hour and a half, and was finally disposed of by the parties agreeing to sell the machine and divide the proceeds. Bradford v. Wilkie.—Claim L 4 13s. for wages. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff. L 3 11s. 6d. was paid into Court. After argu ment, the Magistrate gave judgment for the amount paid into Court, without costs.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

Welter Handicap Race, of 10 sovs. Three miles. Entry 15s. To be ridden by members of the Club. No weight less than 15 stone. Mr. J. M'Rae’s Ploughman, 150 yds. (owner) ... ... ... ... 1 Mr. O. Digby’s Jess, stratch (owner) 2 This was the best contested race of tie day, Mr. Digby tiding his mare with great care and judgment, gradually made up to Ploughitiaii from the'start, but eventually suffered defeat by two lengths. Time— -10 mins. 15 secs.

Hurry Scurry Flat-Race, for a sweep of 10s. each ; second horse to save his st .kes. Mr. Mcßae’s Darkle ... ... ... 1

Mr. Moorsehead’s Spot ... ... 2 So ven others ran. Darkle jumped away with the lead, was never headed, and won by any number of lengths. As a whole, the meeting cannot be pro nounced a success, either as regards mangement or sport. We cannot attach blame to any particular official, all ap peared to do their best, but there was a lack of enthusiasm about the affair which made the proceedings rather dreary, and we have no fear that the “national pastime” will materially suffer by the attraction of its votaries to this newer sport. There is little doubt that, should trotting become a popular and richly endowed sport, it would do more for the improvement of our or dinary horses than flat racing as it is now conducted. If sufficient inducement was offered for the systematic breeding of trot ters, wo have no hesitation in saying a very beneficial effect would be produced on our roadsters and horses, but until this particular sport occupies a little higher place in public estimation, its pursuit will do little towards the desirable ends we have referred to.

A Kentucky Trial.

The New York Herald contains a graphic account of a series of “ scenes ” at atrial at Nieholasville, Kentucky, of a man named Arnold for shooting his brother-in-law, named Little. The men’s wives were sisters, and, upon the death of the father, the husbands had a con ference about the division of the pro perty, which was considerable. The prosecution charged that Arnold ex hibited a forged promissory note of the dead man in his favor, which he insisted should be paid as a first charge. Little denounced the document as a forgery; a quarrel ensued, and Arnpld shot Little dead. The shooting was not denied, but there was much heated controversy between the lawyers as to whether the note had been produced at all, and, assuming it to have been produced, whether it was a forgery. The State Attorney, sum ming up for the prosecution, declared that Arnold was a forger. The state ment was flatly contradicted by counsel for the defence, and one of the audience shouted out with an oath, “ It’s a lie.” A brother of the prisoner cocked a revolver, jumped over the dividing-railing, and rushed at the State Attorney. Instantly several persons whipped out revolvers, and “ matters began to look serious.” Mrs. Arnold rushed forward to defend her husband, several ladies fainted, and men jumped out through the windows. At length the Court was cleared. The jury deliberated some hours, and ac quitted the prisoner. The verdict was delivered “ amid intense excitement,” and was received with shouts. When the despatch left Nieholasville a crowd of several hundred persons was sur rounding the Courthouse, and “ great uneasiness was felt as to the safety of Arnold.” The State Attorney was denouncing the verdict as a crowning stroke of infamy.”

A Detective's Story.

There is a story told of a lady and gentleman travelling together on an English railroad. They were strangers to each other. Suddenly the gentle man said :—“ Madame, I will trouble you to look but of the window for a few minutes, as I am going to make some changes in my wearing apparel.” Gertajply sir,” she replied, with great politeness, rising and turning her back upon him. In a short time he added : “ Now, madame, my change is corp pleted and you may resume your seat,” When the lady turned she beheld, her male companion transformed into a dashing lady, with a heavy veil over her face. “ Now, sir or madame, which ever you are,” said the lady, “ I must trouble you to look out of the window, for I also have some changes to make in my apparel.” “ Certainly, madame,” and the gentleman in ladies’ attire immediately complied. “Now, sir, you may resume your seat.” To his great surprise on resuming his seat, the gentleman in female attire found his lady companion transformed into a man. He laughed and said, “It appears we are both anxious to escape recognition. What have you done ? I have robbed a bank.” “ And I,” said the whilom lady, as he dexterously fettered his companion’s wrists with a pair of handcuffs, “ I am Detective J , of Scotland Yard, and in female apparel have shadowed you for two days, Now,” —drawing a revolver —■“ keep still.”

The Parisian in the Future.

M. Jules Clareties prophesies in Le Temps that the day will come when Parisians will no longer live in Paris. In ten years’ time, he says, the Paris ians will come to Paris in the morning to attend to their business and go home to dinner at night. They will have their office at Paris and their home at St. Cloud, St. Germain, Boulevard or Sevres. What, he asks, will then be come of the theatres? “ They will be, I am afraid, what they are now at Lon don, establishments for the serving up tears or of laughter, but above all of scenery, but no longer, as of old, the resort of amateurs, who went there to follow the progress of art or the trans formation of an actor. Ah, the progress of art! It will be no longer on a picked public that dramatic purveyors will then count (as for the actors, where will they be ?), but on excursion trains and batches of foreigners. They will have some wonderful trick like platinum .wire of Miss AEna, or some artistic phenomenon like Mlee. Sara Bern hardt, and they' will offer this attraction to the Yankees who have just arrived from the railway station, while the 'Parisians will be breathing the fresh air under the trees at Ville d’Avray, or warrping flfeur fgef in. the winter around the family heart’ll, : r< \

How De Lesseps Won His Wife.

The story of M. De Lesseps’ marriage to his present wife is told by a London writer. She “ was nearly twelve years at the chateau of which she is now the chatelaine, staying on a visit. Her family name was De Braga. She was the very perfection of the French Creole type, and very romantic. She had been in the habit of listening to ac counts of the diplomatic and materia! difficulties which M. De Lesseps over came in Egypt, Paris and London, and of the courage and humanity he dis played in assisting plague-stricken Frenchmen when he was Consul at Alexandria. The relations she heard impressed her as the narrative of Othello’s adventures impressed Desde raona. Ilis courtliness, chivalrous manners, and vivacity enchanted a girl used to the indolent planters of the Isle of France. She was at La Chesnaye when all Europe was astir about the achievement of the Suez enterprise. Mile. Braga grew silent and solitary. One day in the garden she saw De Les seps walking on a terrace. She plucked a rose and going up to him begged of him for her sake to wear it a.t dinner. He asked whether she did not mean it for his son ? No. It was for himself. Her host explained to.her that he was on the wrong side of sixty, while she w'as not yet nineteen. That did not matter. What his age was had never occurred to her. She had only thought of his greatness and his goodness. In short, he was her beau ideal. How was it possible for a man reared on the sunny side of a Pyreneean mountain to reason down the feelings this confession aroused ? Time was given Mile. De Braga to reflect, and she was made to understand that no friendship would be lost were she to change her mind,, after, the banns had been published.- The marriage was celebrated contempo raneously with the Suez fifes."

A French Lower-Class Marriage.

Did you ever witness a wedding at a mairie in Pan’s ? If not, go some Saturday, for that is the day which, though never chosen by fashionable people, seems to be set apart specially for the class who labor, and have no time to lose. They have Sunday to faire la noce, and on Monday they put themselves once more at work. About ii 'a.m., generally, the fiances, their relatives and. their witnesses all meet together. Some of the company have brought with; them their ; children, dressed in new clothes for the grand occasion, frizzed, pomaded, and •' got up regardless ” in honor of the festive event. The garcons do noce are bloom ing in appearance, and the intended husband and wife are critically in spected by all the company. They try, therefore, to put on an air of modest indifference, and, naturally enough, do not make much of a success of it. M. le Maire, or his adjoint, has arrived. Pie puts on the tri-colored scarf across his breast diagonally, which glorious scarf, in the eyes of the people, confers on him alone the power of pronouncing the magic words whose effect no human powe’ - can ever break. He takes in his hands a little book bound in red morocco, gives a glance at th e mirror in order- to assure himself that his cravat is correctly tied, and walks forward to the pretoire, where a low platform supporting a maghony stand represents the tribunal of indis soluble union. A servant playing the role of huissier announces M. le Maire. Pie enters. All rise up. He seats himself. Everybody does the same. Whatever be the reason, however cold it may be, the doors always stand wide open, for the act of marriage is essen tially public. A greffier (or recorder) is seated before a pulpit-like' desk with a register before him, which big book resembles a huge ledger in a counting room. A name is called. Then advance to the little platform the fiances, the relatives, the witnesses; they arrapge themselves in front of the maire in some red velvet arm-chairs, which remind one of the orchestra stalls in our theatres. The greffier read§ the conpnenceraent of the mar riage act. Then the maire, calling the candidates of matrimony by name, asks of them each individually if they con sent to take the other as a spouse. Their response must be made clearly and loudly, in such a manner as to. be dis tinctly heard by all present. If there are present the progenitors of : the couple, the maire asks '.them, if they give their consent to the marriage of their children. Then, if granted, he opens the little red book, reads articles 212, 213, 114, of the Code Civil, re lative to the rights and duties of the spouses, terminating with article 226, which says : “ The wife may make a will without the authorization of her husband.” The ongs who most often accept this permission are, so it is said, Hebrews, r lhe maire then de clares the couple “ united in marriage.” The greffier, resuming his reading, finishes it; the temoins, the relatives and the married couple are all invited to sign the record of the ceremony written down upon the great register of the Etat Civil. The garcon de bureau brawls : “ Don’t forget the poor, s’i! vous plait,” and each one in passing out drops a small coin in the poor box on the table. —Paris American Register.

The older a sparkling coquette or a fashionable belle grows the more matchless she becomes. “You will observe from this word pater,” said a schoolmaster to his .pupil, “the great llexibility of the Latin lan guage. Pater is a father ; and here we have patruus, an uncle ; and propatruus, a great-uncle on the father’s side. Can you make any such change in our lan guage ? Pater, partruus, porpartruus— father ; is there any way you can change father into uncle in English ?”, “ I don’t think of any,” replied young'' Hopeful, “unless you get him to marry your aunt.” Holloway's Pills. —lt is difficult. :to de termine what is the more trying to health, intense cold or excessive heat, though every body knows that sudden transitions from the one to the other teem with disease, which may in most instances be staved off by an early resort to these purifying, regulating, and strengthening Pills. This well known and highly esteemed medicine affords a safe and easy remedy for almost every constitutional wrong which climates, changes, or dietetic errors can engender’ and effectually removes any weakness self-indulgent habits may have induced. In all conditions of the system bordering on discease- indicated by apathy, listlessless, and restlessness, Holloway’s Pills will prove especially serviceable in begetting a vivacity appreciated by both sound and'sick.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

PATIENT KITTY. [Continued. ]' I was bound' to believe him, for I had never known Fred to tell a lie, but a week or two afterwards I had good reason to conclude that he had deceived me. I was fond of a little gaiety my self, in which Kitty encouraged me— as I am now firmly persuaded in order that she might have the more oppor tunity for sitting up to work, for when I was at home I would not permit it—. and on a certain occasion I had been to the Adelphi Theatre. As I was walking home, and passing the doors of of a music hall, I could have taken my oath that I saw Frederic Raynor in the crowd that was emerging from it; the next moment I lost sight of him, but if I had spoken to him I could not have been more sure of his identity. He was at the office at the usual hour, look ing very much as if, after the music hall, he had gone to the cider cellars (as the late supper houses were called in those days), but, of course, I had no right to dictate to him as to how he should spend his evenings.

“So you were at ‘the Harmonium/ my, friend, last night,” said I, half in banter, half in remonstrance.

“ Indeed, i was not,” said he, look ing me straight in the face, as was his custom. “ I went home from the office, and remained there all the evening, except for half an hour, when I went out —” he hesitated, then added, “oh business.”

Then somehow 1 felt, not because of the music hall, but because of the lying to me in that composed way, that Fred was going to the bad. At the same time, I little guessed how very fai lle had advanced that way, and least of all the direction his. erring steps had taken.

It was about six months after com munication' between Fred and my sister had been cut off, that for the first time since 1 had been in the employ ment of Halland Brothers, Jacob Ray nor did not appear at his desk at his or dinary hour, or rather minute, for he was punctuality personified. We all concluded that he was ill, particularly as Fred was also absent, but the cause of the non-appearance was. as it turned out, much Worse than anything , which we had imagined. Both the members of the firm were in their .usual places; and when the time for closing 'arrived word came to us that all the clerks were to remain, as there was something of importance to be communicated to them. Even then few of us associated the matter with the Raynors, and perhaps one or two had qualms of conscience as to whether some piccadillo of their own more serious than common might not be'the cause of so portentous an an nouncement. , -

I never saw Mr. Halland, the elder, so moved as when he began to address us. •

“ A great misfortune, raiy friends, has befallen us all” (we thought the house had failed). “Dishonesty, for the first time, as I believe, has crept in among us. One of our number, hitherto trusted on his own account, and much more on account of his relationship to another, has betrayed his trust. It is easy to say that such - a wretched ter mination of a career that prornisqd so bright should be a warning to ns all; but it is an example bought at a dear rate indeed, at the cost (for one thing) of a father’s misery. I left our dear and long-tried friend, Mr. Raynor, this morning, well-nigh . broken-hearted’; a man that will never be bimself again. His son Frederic has falsified his ac counts, with the object of procuring money, no doubt for the purpose of self-indulgence and dissipation.” What he said more l did not rightly understand, the announcement of Frederic’s guilt fell on me like a blow and stunned me, I was pained and shocked on my own account, for he had been my nearest friend, and until lately my most constant companion; but my great distress and wretchedness arose from the thought of poor Kitty, I pictured to myself how she would look that night when I should tell her, “ Frederic is a thief ; you must forget birr}.” I saw her large blue eyes staring at me in mute despair, and the work dropping from her little hands in horror —the work at which there was no need to toil in future, since he, for whose sake

she wearied herself, had proved un worthy of her. Proved ? No. It was not proved, and before that was done I should tell her nothing.. I asked to have a few words in pri vate with my employers, a liberty which nothing but the urgent necessity of the case would have prompted me to do ; for though, I knew them to be just, their manners to their inferiors were some what austere, and I filled jbuf. g very humble place in their service. They gave permission at once, and I found myself, alone with the two brothers. They looked at me very gravely ; my impression is that, having perhaps heard of my intimacy with Frederic, they expected me to confess to. some con nivance with his evil deeds. This made me feel more embarrassed than ever • I stood speechless. “ What have you got to say, Mr. Clayton?” asked Mr. Halland coldly; “our time is precious.” “ Sir,” cried I, scarce knowing what I said, “ I speak on behalf of another, of my sister Kitty, who was’ engaged to be married to Frederic Raynor. She loves him with all her heart, and you were talking of broken hearts.. Oh, pray have mercy upon her. ;Do not pass sentence upon Fred unless you are quite sure.” The brothers exchanged significant glances with one another. “ This is very sad,” said Mr. John (the younger), gently ; “ we did not know, of it.” “No, sir,” said I, “it was not talked about. Mr. Raynor disapproved of the match, but it was to take place next year, nevertheless.” “ Ah, disobedience was to be ex pected of him,” observed Mr. Halland. “ Your sister, Mr. Clayton, has had a lucky escape.” “She will not think so, sir; and it will kill her.”

“My poor lad,” said the younger partner, laying his hand upon my shoulder, at which I burst into tears, though I strove to restrain them,” We are very sorry, sorry for her and sonry for you j you need not be ashamed, of those tears, which do you honor.”

“ Frederic Raynor will not be punished,” said Mr. Halland in a gentler tone; “or rather he will be left to the stings of his own conscience; for his father’s sake we shall spare him all' public shame. He sails for Aus tralia next week. In a new land and under new influence there is still a hope that he may make amends for his own sinful —nay, his criminal —act, and become another man.”

“ Oh, sir, but are you quite sure he did it ?” •

“ Yes, he confessed as much to my brother and myself this morning, and in his father’s presence; it is a wonder that murder—parricide—was not added to the other crime, for I thought it would have killed the old man.”/■.

“It will kill Kitty,” cried I, vehe mently. - “ No, no,” said the younger brother; “ it will hot kill her, if, as we doubt hot, she is a good girl. She will see that this young man is not worthy of her, and in the end will make a -better choice.” “ Can I see him, sir ?”

“ No, my lad; it is his own wish that he should see no one until he sets sail.- An interview with him would only pain you, for I see you have a tender heart. We must forget him, that is the kindest thing to be done on all accounts; and above all things, let no one speak of him to his father.” “ Could you ask him to write -to Kitty?” said I simply. I had a selfish hope that :! might be spared the telling of his disgrace with my own lips. “We could, of course,” said Mr. Halland; “ but if you will-take s pur advice you will not ask' it. He would only unsettle her by dwelling,, perhaps, on possibilities that ’ may 5 never be realised. We are sorry for you. We shall think no worse of you, but better, for having spoken in his behalf-; but his case is, in bur opinion, a hopeless one. It will be best, much, best, ; to represent it as being so to your sister.” Then I made my bow and de parted in sad distress, only/£re R did so, John Halland held out his -hand, which had never been done to me, or to any of the- clerks, as- I - believe, before; an hour before it would have made me vejy proud, but there| was small comfort tb * nie? ‘ridvv in such' a mark of honor,. , I found-Kitty that evening, as usual, at her embroidery, at which kind of work . she had really attained a great proficiency; she had called tp me from the parlor as. I came in, in a bright, c.heery.iway, which showed me that r she had some good news to communicate, doubtless concerning increased prices paid to her by those who bought her work; but the smile faded from her face directly she caught sight of mine. “ There, is nothing the -.matter■-■•with Frederic ?” she cried, with’agitation: “ Not as to health, darling; but in other ways, alas ! there, is.’f And then I told her all. It was an easier task than I expected, from her never making the least interruption ■. but listening; with pale face and rigid lips until the end— and even when I-had done there was no outburst.

A “Then you believe,Frank;,that Frederic Raynor, your old friend, has been gulity of a fraud was all she said.

“My darling,” cried I, X have no choice but to believe it, though Heaven knows I would give all I have to think him innocent. He has confessed to it himself,”

“ Did you hear him? did you see him ?” inquired Kitty, in quick, pas sionate tones.

“No, dear; but both the Messrs. Hallands were present whenA-’.- - \i (To be continued.)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1880.



Special Advertisements- HE BEST VALUE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. EAST STREET. A NEW DEPARTURE. DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF TAILORING. ONE of the great requirements of the Colonies at the present time, is— CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER, AT READY MADE PRICES. In order to meet this want and bring our PERFECT FITTING SUITS, Within the reach of all, we have made arrangements which will enable us to offer CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER from COLONIAL or IMPORTED Materials, at the following Prices: —- Boy’s SUITS from £2 Men’s SUITS from £3 7s. Gd. Men’s TROUSERS from 18s Gd. Ladies’ MANTLES from £2 ss. PERFECT FlT—Any Style Required, and First-Class Workmanship guaranteed in every case. CRAIGHEAD & CO., TANCRED STREET, (Next Oir A Co.) READY MONEY Ashburton Branch : 751* WM. SPARROW, Manager.



Special Advertisements. FARMERS ! FARMERS ! FARMERS ! R. McKERROW AND CO., RE Cash Purchasers of Wool, Grain, and all kinds of Farm Produce, and are a lso prepared to make Liberal CASH ADVANCES on the above placed in their hands either for sale or shipment to the English or Colonial Markets. A. Large Stock of Cornsacks, Wool packs, Ac., fur sale at lowest current prices. R. McKERBOW & CO., GR A I N M E RCII A N T 3, RAKAIA. 36 O. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1 AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Aailrod, Twist, and Vanity Pair Tobacco • Musical Instruments, etc., etc. ilaircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS ! M. HEALAS HAS just received a large and well assorted Stock ot BOOTS and SHOES of every description, especially suited for the present season, from the best Home markets. Being so over stocked, the advertiser is compelled to sell the same at wholesale prices. M. N. hopes that his numerous customers will take the present opportunity, during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, to furnish themselves with really fresh, new, and cheap goods. Men’s Elastic-side Boots, usually sold at 18s. to £1 —at 155.; Men’s Light Water tights, £i -now sold at 15s. ; Men’s Nailed Bluchers, 13s. 6d.—sold now at 10s. All goods sold proportionately cheap. I 763 XMAS.— Best Cakes, Iced or Plain, at Aitken’s. Short Cakes, all shapes and sizes. Send your orders to AITXEN, Baker and Confectioner, Saunders’ Buildings, where you can get the best value for your money. 779 IJIROTTING MATCH. The MEETING of the Committee to arrange all matters connected with the late meeting will bo hold at Quill’s Com mercial Hotel, at 3 p.m., TO-MORROW, SATURDAY, December 18th. H. C. JACOBSON, 778 Hon. Sec THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. PRICE ONE PENNY. ADVERTISERS are reminded that the ASHBURTON GUARDIAN commands the LARGEST CIRCULA TION in the Borough and Suburbs, and the prices for advertisements are very reasonable.



“How. do you define ‘black as your hat ’ ? ” said a schoolmaster to one of his pupils. “ Darkness that may be felt,” replied the youthful wit. Toddekkins, whose nose is a warning light for young men, says that he has often heard that one swallow does not make a spring, but he is sure that several swallows make a fall. Teacher— “ What is a score 2’’ Pupil “ A base-ball record. ” Teacher—“ No, no ; what I mean is, how much do a score signify numerically ; what idea dp ij give yog 2 That js to say, if I were to tell yoii X had a score of hppses, what would you think?” Pupil—“PWsp, % should think you was stuffin’.” —Bostoii Transcript.



Wanted. WANTED —A BOY, from twelve to thirteen, able to ride' br drive ; with good references. Apply, Matson, Cox, & Co., Ashburton. , • -• ,765 Tf 7ANTED, an APPRENTICE; also an IMPROVER. Apply J. Meech, Cabinetmaker, &c. 758 WANTED— A good General SER VANT. Apply, Office of this Paper. 7 52 ANTED—TENDERS for TYINQ and STOOGING about 300 acres Wheat, qats, and barley. Tenders to close on THURSDAY, Dec. 30. The lowest or any tender not ■ necessarily accepted.. Apply, Matron, Co£, & Cq,, Ashburton. 1 ’ 764 ANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT/ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m,: till 5 p,uf.' Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price.: 606 ANTED KNOWN—.That a Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper/, Twelyetrees’ bined ; ' and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully whiter and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker -and - Importer^ 2 coffigr bP Manchester and .Tuain streets, .Christ church i Price—£9 los/ ' ' M 7OO , WANTED KNOWN.. , SOMERSET LIVERY sAND;. BAIT STABLES. ' JW. M'RAE -begs tb 1 inform the , public that he has taken the above} Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, und/is. making extensive repairs.■. ! Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. ; I :k 908c—2860 WANTED KNOWN—Jhst' from England—Christmas, New" Year, and Birthday Cards.' New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young. Ladies?, Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. 6d. each. Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ-, church Prices. - Colonial and 1 ' European; Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&a ! A visit solicited. L. F. Andrewes, East street, pear Lancaster’s Butchery; >427 Meetings. '■■■’ 3 : | I/~V iTi m UNITY DEGREE .L/.IX. 1 . TEMPLE. The next meeting.wifi be held ; on. TUESDAY NEXT, the 21st inst., at 8 p.m., 'in the Templar Hall. Third degree. Thomas Wiixiams, D.T. ■ 762 TjaRE BRIGADE. —A PULL ..MEET-* Jt? TNG will be held at the COUNCIL CHAMBERS at Eight p.-m. on MONDAY Evening. Plain clothes. No excuses accepted. - ‘ 766 . JAMES WILKIE Captain. , mHE GUARDIAN is on every Tea ’J- Table in Ashburton.