SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAYE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. Fob Wellington —Waitaki, This Day, Tuesday, March 23. Passengers by 2.40 p.ta train. To be followed by Rotorua, Friday, March 26. For Napier, Gisborne, Taueanga and Auckland —Rotorua, Friday, March 26. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Penguin, Saturday, March 28. Fob Port Chalmers —Tararua, This Day, Tuesday March 20. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by the Wakatipu, Wed nesday, March 24. Fob Melbourne, via Bluff and Hobart Town Tararua, This Day, Tues day, March 23. Passengers by 2'40 train. To be followed by Te Anau, Tuesday, March 30. Fob Sydney Rotorua, on Friday, March 26. Fob Picton, Nelson, Tabanaki, and Manukau —Waitaki, This Day, Tues day, Marsh 23.

BIRTH.

Pullab.—At the Road Board buildings, Westerfield, on the 22nd March, the wife of Mr. R. D. Pufiar, of a daughter. 641 g

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.

The result of this year’s harvest is not so satisfactory as we had hoped—not that the yield has been disappointing on the whole, but that many prudent farmers, who farmed their land in proper style, and according to well estab'ished rides for its cultivation by a rotation of crops, will not reap the advantage from a monetary point of view that the abundant yield of every thing they have raised should have led them to expect. This year a far greater extent of land has been under cultivation than ever before, and as a consequence aH cereals were raised in correspondingly larger quantity. The greatest increase, however, on the acreage under any par ticular grain is that which this year bore oats. Had oats been an exportable article the great quantity raised would not have mattered so much, but as the crop is one that is almost wholly disposed of in colonial markets, it naturally follows that an overplus means a very great loss to the farmers who have been unfortunate enough to be growers of a large quantity of that grain. Of course, many and un expected changes may take place between the reaping of two harvests, and there is no saying what vicissitudes the value of oats may go through before next harvest is reaped, but meanwhile the prospects are that oats will be very low-priced during the winter. There is every chance that wheat will realise a good figure, and that barley will be worth money, but sup posing that every grain growing centre had been as fortunate as New Zea land has been this year, in reaping an abundant, or even a fair average harvest, there can be little doubt chat our abund ance would have been of very little value to us. Is it wise, then, for the colony to keep on, in the face of a possibly universal good harvest, putting all its eggs in one basket, end trusting wholly and solely, as the Canterbury plains seem to do, to the results of the plough? We know that we cannot be wiped out as a grain-producing country, but when grain ceases, as it some years must, to be a profitable in dustry, is it not better that some atten tion should be given by every farmer to the rearing of stock. In these columns practical correspondents who know this county well, have now and again pointed 00 1 the mistake of trusting wholly to g am growing for a return from the land in farmers’ hands, and urged the advisa lYeness of making it do its share in raising a proportion of stock. Hitherto the great objection to stock raising has been that which is now raised against over-cropping in oats —that beyond the colonial market there is no outlet. Farmers, as a rule, are slow to adopt new things, and are certainly not the class from which agita tors and reformers are drawn, but we "micy they ought to look to this question of stock - raising, and in their Farmers Clubs and Agricul tural and Pastoral Associations give it full consideral ion. The fact that the millions of beef and mutton catei’s in Great Britain and the Continent can now be reached from Australia by the new meat-freezing process is certainly worth a thought, and the stock raising powers of tins colony, and these plains especially, are undeniable. The question, we say, is woi ih thinking over and agitating. It is now believed that the Bell-Coleman sys ■em of meat preserving need not be con fined to steamers, but will answer equally well in sailing vessels properly fitted for the purpose. The enterprising New Zea land Shipping Company are making in quiries in this direction, and we may expect to hear soon what has been the result of these. In any case, with a line of boats in weekly communication with Melborneaud Sydney, any one, or all, of wlu'ch may easily be fitted up with a Bell- Goleman freezing apparatus (it only oc cupies ten feet of space) we could be able to consign large quantities of surplus meat for shipment from either of the Australian ports above-mentioned. The cost of delivering the frozen meat in London (shipped from Australia) is a penny per pound; and it is calculated that New Zealand meat could be conveyed to Aus tralia for a half penny per pound, if regu lar shipments were to be made, so that the cost to London from the colony would only be three half-pence. We gain the foregoing figures of cost from a con temporary who has evidently been at some pains over the subject, and we have every reason to believe the calculations correct. The whole question is worth agitating, as we look upon it as beingof importance to the farming community especially, and to the whole colony also, inasmuch as the prosperity of the farmers is the main spring of the colony’s success. But it will be useless to move in the matter un less the whole farmers of New Zealand as one body support a movement in the direction hinted at. We fancy it only re quires the Agricultural Associations of the colony, and the Chambers of Com merce, to initiate steps that will place New Zealand in direct communication either with Australia or with England, in the article of frozen meat, and that done, wo will have no fear that the future of our plains will hang upon the one string of a sheaf band. We might add that the freezing system is not alone available for meat, but butter and other perishable pro duce may also be carried fresh to the Euiopean market, and this in itself ought to be an inducement for all interested in the produce of the land to tarn their at tention to bringing the Bell-Coleman pro cess into use for the benefit of 'his colony.

The Ivess Libel Case. —The evidence in this case, as published in the “ Mail,” has been reprinted in pamphlet form, and circulated amongst the newspapers of the colony. Teachers’ Examination. —At the Nor mal School yesterday the teachers’ ex amination in classes D and E opened. The numbers present were—males, 28; fe males, 27. Irish Relief. —Those gentlemen who took subscription lists for the Irish reb’ef are requested to hand the amounts they have collected to the Mayor as soon as possible. Harvest Thanksgiving. —The services of the Presbyterian Church, Rakaia, on Sunday, were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Westbrook, and special thanks were of fered to the Almighty for the harvest. Larrikinism. —Four larrikins were yes terday dealth witli by the Christchurch R.M. for assaulting Constable M‘Donagh. Three were fined three guineas each or a week in gaol, and a fourth LI, or 96 hours. Ships v. Railways. —lt was anticipated early in the grain season that the only hitch in getting rid of the grain would he the difficulty in discharging from the trucks to the ships at the wharves at port, and the railway folks all agreed that the ships could not take the grain in fast enough. We now hear the reverse is the case, the ships or their skippers are all crying out for “ more grain.” The Mount Somers Railway. —The Mount Somers railway will he officially opened for traffic to-day. The railway officials from Christchurch, comprising Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Cuthbert, engineers, and Mr. F. Back, traffic manager, will arrive by the express train, and the Mount Somers train will start almost imme diately afterwards from Ashburton, reach ing the Mount Somers end at about one o’clock, and returning after refreshments, in time for the returning express. Unregistered Dogs. —The police have been out on the hunt, and have scented out a considerable number of dogs whose owners have not dubbed up the regulation

ten shillings for a stamped collar. The scent is still warm, and many more will be added to the list shortly. The first in stalment of unlawful dog-keepers was dealt with to-day, when the R.M. fined, each LI. The names are Turton, Gale, and Pender. No summons had been served on John Graham, and he didn’t appear. Affecting Scene. —It was the some what unusual experience of the Rev. R. J. Westbrooke, on Sunday afternoon, to perform the burial rites over the graves of three infants, at one time, that had all died in one night in the township of Rakaia. The infants were those of Mr. Tucker, Mr. Gaarder, arid Mr. Boucher, and the fact of so many families being affected by the several deaths brought a largo number of friends to the cemetery. Drunks. —On Saturday the following drunks were disposed of at the Resident Magistrate’s Court : —D. Galbraith, 40s. fine or 48 hours’ imprisonment ; M‘Claf ferty, 10s. fine, or 24 hours’ in gaol; the same for 0. Johnstone ; while a vagrant named J. L. Smith was dismissed with a caution. To-day, W. Jones was fined 20s. for drunkenness, or go to gaol for 48 hours, while Samuel Whiteside, for the same offence was remanded for seven days, to “ suffer a recovery ” from the effects of his boosum. Nabrow Escape. —A man last night jumped off the last train from Christ church, just as it was drawing up at the station, and before it had stopped. He missed his footing and fell, and he had as narrow an escape as possible of getting his head severed from his body. Fortunately for him, however, he just cleared the wheels, and took a new lease of his life. This new lease, however, has a likelihood of being taxed by the R.M. to-day, as the luxury of jumping from a train in motion is one our stationmaster very properly denies to any man without a subsequent interview with the Magistrate, and the passenger who last night indulged in the luxury, was rescued from the jaws of death only to be handed over to the police man. Hung-up Again. —The great water supply scheme of the Borough Council was again discussed last night, and again considered of so unimportant a character that the acceptance of the tenders sent in was postponed for ten days, to enable the Councillors to discover whether water would run down hill or not. We thought everything had been made so plain to the non-engineering minds of the Borough Council that there wo»ld be no doubt as to the settlement of the job. If tlie pro gress of this small work is to be as rapid as other projected ones in the part of the Council, we should say that the prospect of the tenders being opened is very re mote. Anniversary Sermons were preached on Sunday in connection with the Primitive Methodist Sunday School by the Rev. Thomas Sadler, of Geraldine. The children of the Sunday school sung at intervals several pieces with much spirit, and at the con clusion of the evening sermon several of the juveniles rendered, with evident ac curacy and taste, a selection of recitations. A tea meeting is to be held in the Town Hall on Friday next, to be followed by a public meeting, the chief features of which will, wo understand, be the rendering of some choice music, at which the choir and friends have been at persistant practice for a considerable time past. The Weather. —The rain on Sunday has been the cause of much damage to grain stacked at the railway stations. At Dromore and Chertsey especially a largo number of stacks have been stored outside the goods shed, in many cases on the bare ground, and with a very insufficient cover ing, in the shape of tarpaulins. On Sun day afternoon there could not have been less than 3,000 sacks uncovered at Chertsey station, and at Dromore perhaps half that amount, whilst a number of the tarpaulins were being blown about by the south-west gale, by which the ends of the sacks were exposed. Seeing that most of this grain is for shipment, it will be neces sary to shoot and dry it before sending it forward to port. It would be far better for farmers to hold their grain in safety on their own farms for a month or two, than to take the risk of a return from the London market market for a damaged sample, the value of which at home would be less than the freight and railway carriage. Templar Entertainment. —A meeting of the Star of the East Lodge of Good Templars was held on Saturday night in the Templar Hall, to which the public were invited. Notwithstanding the threatening character of the weather a very fair audience assembled, and a sur prisingly good programme of vocal music was presented—consisting of solos, duets, and trios, and one or two very well given readings. The duties of Chairman were very happily discharged by Councillor St. Hill, the father of the Lodge, and a short and pithy address on temperance was given by Brother Isaac Scott. It was intimated that during the winter these open meet ings would be frequent, and that arrange ments had been made for a course of public lectures, to be delivered by local gentlemen.

Thanksgiving Service. —The threaten ing aspect of the weather on Sunday morn ing, no doubt accounted for the rather scanty attendance at the Wesleyan Church yesterday morning, the service at which had previously been announced to be a thankful recognition of the harvest now' being gathered in. There was not much display in the shape of cereals, &c., a simple sheaf of grain on either side of the rostrum being the only noticeable feature in that respect. The Rev. W. Ke.ill took for his subject the anointing of Mary at the Saviour’s feet with the alabaster box of ointment. The tenor of his remarks was that a recognition of blessings re ceived were justifiable, and thank offer ings for blessings in prospective were also justifiable. Referring to the costliness of Mary’s offering, the preacher remarked that there was a propriety also in the gifts of the congregation being profuse on ac count of the mercies received from God. In concluding his discourse the rev. gentleman drew attention to the diversity of opinion which existed with reference to these thankofferings. The objections of Judas to the gifts of Mary represented the opinions of a certain class who thought such offerings out of place, but the men who made such objections were generally those who would sweep away the Sabbath, the Bible, and every vestige of religion—even the name of God itself, but yet failed to supply, like Judas, anything in their place. Ashore and Afloat —For several weeks a company of local amateurs have been bestowing most painstaking study upon rehearsals of the interesting drama, “ Ashore and Afloat,” with a view to its production to an Ashburton audience, and the preliminary announcement of its per formance has appeared. We do not know that the exact date has been fixed, but assuredly will be within the next ten days. The cast of characters, which wo have been shown, includes the names of some old friends, whose faces have long been familiar on the Ashburton boards, and some, whose patronymics are strangers to us, but we are assured the rehearsals have been eminently satisfactory, and pro phecies of the success of the piece are made with groat enthusiasm by those who have had the privilege of being present at the “ drill.” The company are fortunate in the possession of able management, both from a business point of view and from a theatrical standpoint, and if suc cess cannot be commanded it is certainly deserved. But the company’s greatest strength will undoubtedly lie in its scenery. Mr. Charles Bourko, who has

on more than one occasion exhibited con siderable talent in scene painting, has been devoting all his spare time to the pi-oduction of the needful scenery, and his labors have been very successful. They have been very extensive indeed, as may be gathered from the fact that 500 yards of canvas have been absorbed, in the the delineation of no less than 17 distinct representations. From what we can learn no expense and no labor have been spared by the company, both individually and collectively in the preparation of “Ashore and Afloat,” and it only wants the hearty patronage of the townspeople on the night of its performance to make the event a great one.

The Bank of N.Z.—Sir Penrose Julyan has joined the London Directory of the Bank of New Zealand. Presbyterian.—The Rev. Mr. Bruce, agent of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, has resigned. The Gross Amount collected in Vic toria for the relief of the distress in Ire land has now reached over L 19,000. Stephen Longfellow, nephew of the poet, has been held for trial in Boston for forging the name of the latter to a cheque for 1000 dollars Bad Grog.—lt is an old saying that drink is a bad thing, especially bad drink, and the especial part of the proverb is believed in by the Maoris, one of whom, at the Orakei Parliament, on Saturday, said Government ought to take steps to save the natives from being poisoned by bad grog. Antimony.—The “ Tuapeka Times” says :—“ A sample of stone from Waipori has been shown to us, exhibiting rich in dications of antimony. We hope to hear soon of that industry becoming a leading one in that quarter. ABrbadßow. —Inconsequence of the bread at the Parramatta Gaol being con sidered bad, the prisoners refused to re ceive, it, and several threwit over the walls. All the warders were called together, as a mutiny was expected. Bread and biscuits were obtained from neighboring shops,, which quietened the prisoners. Shag Point Coal.—A year ago there were only 25 or 30 men employed in the Shag Point Coal Company’s mines. Now there are nearly 90, and there is every in dication that the end of the present year will see a still further increase in the number of hands employed, and a corres ponding increase in the business of the company. Wakened Up.—A minister named Craig purchased a whistle, and when his hearers went to sleep he emitted from it a very shrill sound. All were awake and stood up to hear him. “ Well,” he said, “ you are smart specimens of humanity,” as he slowly gazed at his wondering people ; “ When I preach the Gospel you go to sleep; when I play the fool you are awake. ” Philosophy.—One ought to get as much consolation as possible out of his grievances. We always admired the cheerful and hopeful spirit of the colored man, who, when struck by lightning, simply, rubbed the abraded spot of his skull and remarked, “ Dat makes free times I’ve been struck ; now I shouldn’t wonder if it let me alone.” Drunken Mourners. —A shocking spectacle was witnessed at an interment at Kircaldy, in Scotland, a short time ago. Nearly all the mourners had become so in toxicated that one of them, when lowering the coffin into the grave, staggered forward and fell into the tomb. He became jammed between the descending corpse and the side of the grave, and was ex tracted with difficulty, Russia and the Cotton Trade.— About a dozen of the most eminent Russian cotton manufacturers lately set out for Fgypt with intent to buy enor mous quantities of raw material, and hire all the largest plantations on the banks of Nile. The chief aim, it would seem, of these merchants, who are stated to be conjointly worth about 20,000,000 roubles, is to shake off the yoke of the English and of the Liverpool market. Choked ey a Dead Hog.—John Wilson, of Paris, Ky., tied together the feet of a freshly-dressed hog that ho pro posed to steal, and putting his head between the legs, carried the hog on his shoulders. In climbing a fence the hog fell on one side and he on the other, and he was found in the morning dead. The legs of the animal had pressed his throat tight against the fence, and his feet could not touch the ground. He choked to death. Treeless lowa is being transformed into a forest covered country, by a law which remits certain taxes for five years on every acre of fruit, and ten years on every acre of forest trees planted and kept alive. Over 75,000 acres of fruit and forest trees have been planted, and 200,000d015. have been remitted in taxes. A “Mystery.”—The Cork police are busy just now investigating a “ mystery.” It appears that on the strand about a mile from Cork there has been found a parcel tied with a piece of rope, and con taining the arm and hand of a man and the hand apparently of a woman. The parcel was weighted with stones. Snake Bite.—A daughter of- Mr. Kirby, dairyman, Sydney, aged 10 years, was recently severely bitten by a black snake. The mother immediately sucked the wound, and the father applied some of Underwood’s antidote, when no ill results followed. The same day a valu able foal belonging to Mr. Kirby was bitten, and it died shortly afterwards. Two children in the same family have been bitten, and cured by the same means. Death op a Wealthy Chief.—Hoterene (Shortland), an influential chief of Grahamstown district, and father of Wi Taipara, the leading chief of Hauraki, died on Saturday morning. Ho was enormously rich, and leaves LI,OOO to be

Death op a Wealthy Chief. — Hoterene (Shortland), an influential chief of Grahamstown district, and father of Wi Taipara, the leading chief of Hauraki, died on Saturday morning. Ho was enormously rich, and leaves LI,OOO to be spent on his tangi. The township of Shortland was named after him, and the deceased chief was one of the largest land owners of the district. Taipara is his heir. The Yalue of a Good Nose. —The influence of nasal respiration on the ear is illustrated by Mr. George Gatlin in his history of “The North American In dians.” Among 2,000,000 Indians he found not one who was deaf or breathed through the mouth, except three or four deaf mutes; and in the memory of the chiefs of 150 tribes not one case of deaf ness could bo remembered to have oc curred. This is explained by the mother always closing the mouth of the cliild whenever it attempted to breathe through it. The Jewish Sabbath. —If (says the “Jewish Chronicle”) there be an error of Christendom which, more than any other, has separated the Synagogue from the Church, and placed between them an im passable gulf, it was the audacious, arbi irary transfer of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day. It showed the Synagogue to what length the Church was prepared to go in its horror of Judaising. She did not hesitate to make void the Ten Commandments, if only thereby she could prove that she had nothing in com mon with the detested religion of Moses. The Religion of Confucius. —The re h'g’on of Koong-foo-tsze—rendered Con fucius by the early Jesuits —is almost ex clusively moral in its nature. Its ethics are not much behind those of Christianity. It asserts , in the negative form the great fundamental rule of the Saviour, namely: “ Do not to others what you would not wish they should do unto yon.” In the religious aspect it inculcates the worship of ancestors who represent the principle of life]

A Good Young Man. —An audacious theft has come to light in Dunedin. A young man (says the “Times”), now in custody on a serious charge, being the possessor of a good voice, favored the choir of a certain church in this city on a recent Sunday evening by his presence and assis tance. Several pieces of sacred music went a missing that evening, only to turn up again in the possession of the young man upon his arrest. To sing in a church choir for the purpose stealing the music is surely the acme of criminal impudence. The Dunedin Murder. —A Dunedin telegram of Saturday’s date says : —One of the detectives this afternoon discovered,'in the vicinity of the northern cemetery, a coat, which has been identified as the one usually worn by the prisoner Butler, charged with the murder of the Grant family. In the same neighborhood was found a salmon tin of the same brand as that purchased by the prisoner on the murder. The other clothes belonging to Butler were found in the bush this after noon. A Very Plucky Policeman.—On Saturday night, shortly after midnight (says the Press), Constable McDonough arrested a man named John Maiden in the act of assaulting another man, whom he had on the ground. Three or four larri kins immediately set on the constable and succeeded in rescuing the man from his custody, and they all got away. Constable McDonough, however, in a very _ plucky manner followed them up, and assisted by Sergeant Barlow, managed to arrest all four in a quarter of an hour afterwards in Cathedral square, and took them to the lock-up. The Planet Mars. —Several remark able seas —including inland seas, some of them connected and some not connected by straits with still larger seas—are now definable in the southern hemisphere of the planet Mars, in which, as in the case also with the Earth, water seems to be much more widely spread than in the northern hemisphere. There is, for ex ample, a southern sea exceedingly like the Baltic in shape ; and there is another and still more remarkable sea, now defined by the observation of many astronomers — one near the equator, a long straggling arm, twisting almost in the shape of an Salaid on its back, from east to west, at least 1000 miles in length, and 100 miles in breadth. Meat Preserving. —The meat preser ving works at Woodlands (says the “Southland Times”) will commence operations within the next few days, when employment will be afforded to a consider able number of hands. Wc understand that a large number of cattle are expected to be brought forward and disposed of on the terms offered by the Company. It seems that meat in 21b tins is now in great favour in the Home Country, and for the future this size will be mostly pro duced. Arrangements have been made for sending the meat per steamer from the Invercargill jetty to Port Chalmers, where it is to be shipped to London, the ter minal charges and excessive rates on the railway line to the Bluff having brought about this determination on the part of the managers of the Company. A Freemason No Catholic. —ln New York a member of the Roman Catholic Church, who subsequently joined the order of Masons, purchased a family burial plot in the Catholic cemetery, wherein several of his family were in terred. At his decease it was desired to bury his remains in the same plot, but the Church resisted, and a lawsuit ensued. The Court decided that the plot had been sold for burial pui’poses, and paid for, and that deceased, as purchaser, was entitled to interment. The fact of consecration of ground not being recognised by the com mon law, could not be taken into con sideration. This decision, therefore satis factorily settles a long-mooted paint. Nice State op Affairs. —The “ Otago Daily Times” has it, upon the cautious and reliable authority of one who speaks from experience that, omitting altogether the larger retail grocers, drapers, &c., in Dunedin who mix the wholesale in many cases with their retail businesses, the small retailers—a very host, lying thickly along Princes and George streets, and streets contiguous and suburban—have on their books about an average of from LI,OOO to L 1,500 each, and that the aggregate of book debts cannot be much, if at all, under a sum ranging from L 200,000 to L 300,000, say a quarter of a million sterling, apart entirely from current bills of exchange under discount by the banks. The Octagon Fire. —One of the vic tims by the fire at the Octagon, Dunedin, was a man named Swan, who had a wife and family in Scotland. His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin on Wednesday received the following letter from the Provost of Leith, dated January 7th; —“I duly re ceived your letter of November 6bh last, with its enclosure, and arranged that the British Linen Company should pay over to Mrs. Swan, 19, Ferriers street, in small suras, as she might require them, the amount trans mitted (L 65 10s). She is deeply grateful for this unlooked-for assistance, and de sires me to convey to you and to the sub scribers her heartfelt thanks for the kind consideration shown to her in Lor forlorn condition.—l am, &c., John Hendeb son.”

The Otago Trout Streams. Mr. Dryden Grieve last week took from Upper Taieri streams some splendid trout—one 201 b. in weight, 34 inches in length, and 31 inches in girth. It was taken with a minnow. Another fish turned the scale at 101 b., and several others were between three and six pounds. The capture of the 201 b. fish—the largest, wo believe, yet taken in the colony—will no doubt have the effect of turning the attention of sportsmen to the Upper Taieri, where good accommodation can be found at Tannahill’s Hotel, while Mr. Grieve will be glad to do the honors of the stream. As illustrating the capacities of our rivers in this part of Otago for the breed ing of trout (says the “Bruce Herald”) we are able to state that a male fish, weighing ll|lb., was taken on Saturday last in Lovell’s Creek, just below the old bridge, by Mr. Fraser, the storekeeper. The same party caught, during the pre vious week, two fish of 51b. and Gib. re spectively. A Chiniquy Incident.— A rather sin gular incident occurred on the arrival of Pastor Ohiniquy at the railway station on Saturday evening (says the “Southland News ”). When the train came in the constables on duty formed an opening through the crowd opposite the entrance, so that there should be no hitch or stop page of any kind, and it was naturally ex pected that the pastor would avail himself of this lane. It happened, however, that the carriage which he occupied was not quite close to the place, and so the Pastor and those who were with him pushed through the crowd, passed out into the passage, and had entered a cab and were being driven off while the majority of those present were awaiting his appearance. At this stage the Rev. Father Larkin, who had travelled inthe same carriage, came through the opening, and the impression became general among those to whom the genial priest was not known that he was Pastor Ohiniquy. Any doubt that might have been felt on the point was removed by a railway official, who took in the situation at a glance and wickedly whispered, loud enough t* be heard by those around, “That’s the man.” And thus it happened that many people left the station without seeing the object of their curiosity. It is said that when the circumstance was mentioned to Father Larkin he fully appreciated the joke, goodhumouredly remarking “You see what a fine presence does."

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. ( Renter’s 7 degrains.) London, March 10. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,810,000 qrs. New Zealand 5 per cent. (10‘40 scrip) loan, JO4A The House of Commons has adjourned until Wednesday next, when the dissolu tion will take place. Information has been received of the seizure of two Italian vessels by an Aus trian man-of-war. The former were con veying arms and ammunition to the Albanians, and the Austrian commander, upon receiving information of their mission, seized the Italian vessels as smugglers. London, March 20. The Oxford and Cambridge boat race, which was to have taken place to-day, could not be rowed, owing to the heavy fog. The contest will come off on Mon day. The home mails via Suez, were delivered in London yesterday. Four and a-half per cent. New Zealand loan, 96. Washington, March 20. The committee appointed by Congress to inquire into the question of Chinese ?mm ; gratidn has issued its report. The complete exclusion of the Chinese from the United States is strongly recommended by the Committee. London, March 18. Three per cent, consols, 97|. New Zealand securities unchanged. The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is L 17,718,256.

The wheat and tallow markets are un changed. The Nihilist Hartmann, who was de ported by the French Government to England, when his extradition was de manded by the Russian Government, has publicly confessed he was the principal author of the attempt made last year at Moscow on the life of the Czar. Hart mann is shortly going to America. Constantinople, March 18. A popular rising of a somewhat serious character having taken place at Smyrna, the various foreign Consuls have sum moned war vessels from their respective countries as a precautionary measure. AUSTRALIAN. Melbourne, March 19. The Australian cricketers sailed to-day for England in the Garonne. The Hon. F. F. Sargood, M.L.C., who is visiting England, will represent Victoria on the Colonial Defence Commission, and will further act as a member of the Board of the Agent-General to further, the in terests of Victoria in London. It is stated here that the New Zealand Railway Commission is desirous of secur ing the services of Mr. Higginbotham, the former Bngineer-in-Ohief of the Victorian Railways. It is further stated that Mr. Higginbotham has been communicated with by the New Zealand Government. The new Government contemplate mak ing important reductions in the expenses connected with the collecting of the Land Tax. Sydney, March 20. A crowded meeting of the members of the School of Arts was held last night, at which it was decided, by a small majority, to rescind the resolution in favor of open ing on Sundays, passed at the meeting on Ist inst. Hennessy’s brandy, bulk quarters, 11s. 3d. to 11s. Cd. ; kerosene, diamond, Is. 3d. per gallon, Devoe’s Is. Old. per gallon. Rice, Patna, Ll 9 per ton ; New Zealand oats 2s. to 2s. 4d. per 40 lbs. ; maize, Is. Gd. to 2s. 3d. per 00 lbs. ; candles, D. R. J. ”s, 7d. to7|d. per lb. Adelaide, March 20. The P. and 0. steamship Siam, with the inward Suez mail, arrived here to-day. Adelaide wheat, 4s. 7d. per bushel; Adelaide flour, country, LlO ss. to LlO 7 6d. ; market dull. Freights 525. 6d. s. 555. Brisbane, March 20. The law points have been decided against the bushranger Wells, and he will be hanged.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, March 20. Government have sent a memo to the Secretary of the Benevolent Institution, authorising him to engage 30 men to be immediately forwarded to Murimotu Plains for the purpose of road-making. Blenheim:, March 23. A heavy rain has fallen during the last three days, overflowing the rivers, and flooding the greater part of the town to the depth of several feet. Ho church services were held yesterday except in the Roman Catholic chapel, and to-day business is almost entirely suspended. Nelson, March 22. William Stuart, photographer, who had recently been living at Motueka, was missed on Friday last, and search was made and continued till this morning, when his body was discovered near the cemetery. It appears he wrote to his mother on Friday last, intimating that he intended destroying himself. An inquest is to be held shortly. Timaku, March 20. The sheep riot cases terminated to-day by the Bench declaring they should never have been brought before the Court, and without calling for the defence, simply binding McLeish in LSO and two sureties of L 25, and Bull, the chief cudgelist, in L2O and two sureties of LlO, to keep the peace. Timarh, March 22. Narrow escapes from several fatal ac cidents occured tin's afternoon. The horses of an express waggon bolted down the footpath in the main street. The pas sengers were scattered in every direction, and a child 5 years old was pulled aside just in time to escape being driven over. A boy of 12 fell on the path and missed the wheels by rolling himself over the kirb. The new boat, built for the harbor engineer, was launched on Saturday, and the same night it broke loose, and was smashed amongst the concrete blocks. Dunedin, March 22. Burglaries are greatly on the increase here. Two were reported last night. At the Police Court this morning, Butler was charged with the murder of the Dewar family. A lot of evidence was taken, and prisoner was remanded till Monday next. Mr. Daniel Haggart, an early settler at Clutha, died suddenly, aged 80. The premises of Wong Tape, Chinese merchant, Stafford street, were broken into last night and Ll5O in notes and gold stolen. The strangest part of the affair is that fifty sovereigns and four pieces of gold in the same chest were not abstracted. The inquest concludes on Tuesday, the only witnesses being Inspector Mallard and Dr. Brown. From evidence it ap pears that the prisoner Butler—who had been under police surveillance since his discharge from gaol on Feb. 16 —was seen by Detective Bain on the Saturday pre vious to the murder. On a former occa sion he said to Detective Bain after asking for work —“ I want to do well for myself this time, and would like to get work, because if I break loose again I will be one of the most desperate tigers ever let loose in a community.” Bain got him some manual work at Ravensbourne. He had previously asked to be introduced to some of the newspaper editors, as he was desir ous of writing some articles for them. A cake of 443 ounces, from 400 tons of stone, was sent down from the Tipperary claim to-day.

Invercargill, March 22. Another destructive fire occurred at Guthrie and Larnach’s mill, which was burned down on the 11th inst. A heap of sawdust which had been smouldering since the last fire, burst out yesterday, and des troyed about GO,oooft. of sawn timber. The lire is still burning.

GREAT FLOODS IN THE NORTH

FAMILIES IN DANGER—A CHILD DROWNED. GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY. (by telegraph.) Wellington, March 22. Heavy rains have caused serious land slips on the Featherstone railway, which will obstruct traffic for three or four days. In some places embankments have been carried away and will take considerable time to repair. Floods have also occurred in the Hutt river, but no damage has yet been done. Palmerston North, March 22. Most disastrous floods occurred between Saturday and mid-day yesterday, damage amounting to thousands of pounds being done. The flood could not be the result of the rain, as in Manawatu it had not been raining for twelve hours. It is supposed it must have been raining up the ranges for days. Manawatu river, at Pal merston, rose seven feet in four hours, over-flowed the bank, and spread over the country. The Maoris at Hokowhitu had taken to the canoes. Ghenstone’s farm was completely surrounded by water which stood six inches on the verandah. The inmates, four men and a woman were imprisoned until five last evening, when a boat was launched, and after some diffi culty they were rescued and conveyed to the Fitzhorbert side. There were six feet of water on the Gorge road, and inmates of houses were being taken out in boats. On the Foxton read all the settlers were flooded out, the rails were washed away, and five feet of water was covering the line between Jockey Town und Otoiua bridge. On Saturday night a settler named Shannan attempted to escape with his wife and children in a trap. Going along the road a log struck the wheel and turned the trap over. His wife was swept away, and was only saved with great diffi culty, but the little girl of two years was drowned. The body was recovered this morning in a side drain. The destruction of property is something immense. The Maoris say there has been nothing like it for 20 years. The flood has gone down considerably since morning, but is now raining hard, and fears of a renewal are en tained.

THE CARANDINIS.

The Carandinis gave their first concert in Ashburton at the Town Hall last night. There was a very good attendance, and the audience was decidedly an appreciative one. Mias Marie Carandini and Miss Deakin opened the concert with a care fully and tastefully executed selection from “ Martha.” These young ladies are the only members of the company who are new to us, and no doubt equally so to our readers, and of them we propose to speak first. Miss Carandini, besides being a graceful pianist, possesses a sweet, rich soprano, thoroughly adapted to the true rendering of ballad music. By her per fect control over the notes in the upper register of her voice, she is enabled to bestow effectual embellishments upon the text, and to impart to the piano passages an amount of pathetic tenderness unob tainable in most sopranos. This was especially noticed by us in her rendering of Cowen’s exquisite song, “ It was a dream.” The commencement of what may be called the major part was sung pianissimo, and, as may be supposed by those who are acquainted with this touch ing air, with groat effect. We should be inclined to pronounce Mias Carandini’a singing of this song as faultless were it not that we entirely disagree with her in her idea of the way in which the words, “it was a dream,” should be sung. It appears to us contrary to the very spirit of the words that the two last should be dipt, and sung as if forming but one word. As an operatic singer, Miss Caran diui was not so successful. The gentle ness which gave such a charm to her ballads, was out of place in the operatic selections, and there was a marked want of energy and histrionic power. It will be as a singer of ballads, and essentially ballads of a tender and pathetic nature, that Miss Carandini will take her position with the music loving public. Miss Deakin has a very rich mezzo soprano of fair compass, and acquitted herself well in the only song allotted to her—so well, in deed, that wo were surprised to see that her name had been entirely omitted from the vocal portion of the second part. Though it is many years since we have had the pleasure of hearing Madame Carandini, her voice seemed to us as fresh and vigorous as ever. Her singing of Millard’s cavatina, “ Waiting,” was a truly brilliant performance and richly de served an encore. It is, however, with her Scotch ballads that Madame Carandini is particularly effective. For her “ Jessie, the Flower o’ Dumblane” she obtained a rapturous encore, and in response gave that ever-charming ballad “ Cornin’ thro’ the rye.” Mr Sherwin is as usual very useful in concerted pieces, to which he strictly confines himself. In Mr Gordon Gooch (whom we recollect seeing in former years under a less pretentious patronymic) we see little of improvement. Taken all round, his voice is a full and pleasing bass, but without any great compass and defi cient in strong upper notes, and quite un fitted to cope with such songs as, “Ifear no foe” and “The Yeoman’s Wedding.” “ Jack’s Yarn” was more within his reach, and secured for him a well deserved encore. We omitted to mention tnat Miss Caran dini was loudly encored for her rendering of “It was a dream,” and gave as a substi tute “ Take me to thy heart again.” The concerted pieces were all sung well, espe cially the quartette, “ The Blue Bells of Scotland,” and the closing chorus, “ The Merry Gipsies.” Altogether the enter tainment was a most successful one. To night the second and last concert will take place, when an entirely fresh programme will be offered.

The Christchurch Revibiv. The number of men likely to take part in the Review, on Easter Monday, now amounts to over 1700 rank and file, the latest ad ditions being a detatchment of over 100 men from Nelson and the Wellington Guards, w r ho expect to receive their new uniforms from England in time for the Hineraoa, which will bring the men from Northern ports. The influx of visitors for two such attractive events as the Review and the races combined should have a de cidedly enlivening effect on the city.— “ Press.” The Governor and the Turf. —At the Napier J ockey Club dinner on Friday, his Excellency, in responding to the toast of his health, said nothing in New Zea land pleased him more than to see the good old English sports and pastimes pro duced here and flourishing as on their native soil. These national outdoor games constituted an important feature in the formation of a sound and vigorous national character. As they all knew, he was himself fond of horse racing, and, properly carried out, it was one of the most legitimate amusements in which men could indulge. It was a means not only of improving the breed of racehorses, but of affording amusement which not only men, but “ their sisters, their cousins, and their aunts ” could appreciate. It was this participation in the fine old Eng lish sport which prevented the turf de generating into an institution for betting and gambling.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last night, when the following were present:—His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs. R. Friedlauder, D. Williamson, G. Parkin, and G. H. St. Hill. THE MAYOR’S STATEMENT. In his opening statement, the Mayor referred to the proposed water supply scheme, and said tenders had been called for the works. It would be necessary JAr the Council, to go into committee osnyjß subject. Dr. Trevor, Chairman Domain Board, had written to the Council regarding the scheme. The following moneys had been received during the fortnight :—Old rates, Ll 7 65.; new rates, L 213 Os. Gd.; dog taxes, L 22 ; rents, L2 16s. Debit balance at bank, L 502 13s. With reference to the rents his Worship said the income was decreasing, and he had instructed the Clerk to take measures to enforce payment. Times had been good for some time back, and he thought the tenants should now be made to pay up. PARSONAGE EATING. The Corporations of Christchurch, Timaru, Lyttelton, and Rangiora wrote, in reply to the Council’s question, that they only exempted churches from paying rates. WATER SUPPLY. Messrs. Saunders Bros, wrote stating that the license to the Council to take water from their mill-race was in the hands i of their solicitor for preparation. The letter was acknowledged with thanks. CONCRETE CHANNELLING. Dr. Trevor wrote, as a medical men, recommending the concreting of the side channel in East street from Quill’s Hotel to Williamson’s corner, calculating the cost of the work at aVut L3OO, and sug gesting that it could be raised by a special rate on the East street residents to the amount in all of Ll5O, and the other ha'f to be met by the Council. Messrs. St. Hill and Parkin both thought a matter of this kind should be left in the hands of the Works Commit tee. His Worship thought Dr. Trevor’s idea was to prevent East street being made muddy, if the contemplated water scheme were carried out. Mr. Williamson said no mud need exist in East street by this scheme, as the water need not be turned down the chan nel unless it were wanted. The Council decided that the work could not be undertaken at present. ENGINEER’S REPORT. He reported having prepared drawings of retaining wall in the domain, at the junction of Wills and West streets. He had not called for tenders for this work, as he desired the Council’s sanction before doing so. It would be advisable to kerb about four chains of the footpath at the angle of each street. About 11,000 feet of timber would be required for bridges, fluming, etc., for the scheme. Mr. Parkin thought a Committee should be appointed, or the Council should go into Committee, before discussing points of so great importance. His Worship regretted the attendance of members was so small. He understood Mr. Joseph Clark wished to address the Council on the subject. Mr. Joseph Clark came up to the table and said his scheme was not a disinterested one, and he, and others owning land on the old gully, wished to have the water brought down the natural course, and he believed that amongst the people resident on the old creek, a sum of LSO would be subscribed toward the work. The Council, if they adopted the course along Winter’s Road would have to pay torjcr.ogsings to to sections, whereas, if were brought down the gully, would be no such expense, and if the 'Council would defer the consideration of the matter for say ten days, he would undertake to obtain the consent of the ratepayers and land owners to take the water through their ands. Mr. Fooks said there would be con siderable expense in bringing the water out of the river into the gully. After discussion of a conversational character with the Engineer, it was de cided that Mr. Clark’s scheme was not feasible. The Engineer’s scheme was then dis cussed, and Mr. St. Hill was of opinion that a clay bank would be cheaper and quite as effective as a concrete wall. The Engineer said that if a clay bank were erected it would be open to the nor’- westers. The clay bank would gradually melt away, and the streets would be flushed with mud instead of water. Mr. St. Hill called attention to a similar work within the Engineer’s knowledge, which had not washed away, viz., the dam at Lougbeach. The question of opening tenders for the water supply scheme was then discussed, and after a deal of conversation as to when it would be advisable to open the tenders, The Mayor recommended that the matter be held over till the middle of next week, in deference to Mr. Clark’a suggestion, and be referred to the Work’s Committee. Mr. Clark said he hoped to be able to supply the Council within a week with a tracing showing the course of the creek and the owners of all the sections affected. The matter was deferred till the 31st of March. MR. CRISP’S CASE. Mr. R. Friedlander apologised for the absence of Mr. Crisp at the meeting, as ho had been unavoidably called away to Christchurch. If the Council wished to interview Mr. Crisp he would have much pleasure in attending at the next meeting. THE EYE-LAWS. Mr. St. Hill wanted to know when the bye-laws would be ready. The delay in this respect was disgraceful. No satis factory reply could be elicited except that a final revision was required, but the Chairman of the Bye-laws Committee- Mr. R. Friedlander—promised to give the rest of the Committee a look up shortly. PACKING CASES. Mr. St. Hill called attention to the blankets, fryingpans, and other sundries obstructing East street. All the members deprecated the manner in which some shopkeepers displayed their wares outside their shops. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. It was resolved to apply to the Wakanui and Longbeach Road Boards for prompt payment of share of subsidies due. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID COMMITTEE. The Mayor, as Chairman of the above Committee, asked for a month’s extension of time to report, which was granted. The pay sheet was passed and the Council adjourned.

Mission Work in Japan.— Preaching the Gospel does not seem to bring large pecuniary reward in Japan at presents We see it stated that at Thihohu a new Presbyterian church has recently been opened, and a graduate of Kioto, who in the service of the Government could com mand per month fifty or one hundred dollars, has become the pastor of it at the pitifully small salary of four dollars a month. An Incident op the Woods. —On the • night of the 13th of a logging camp on Yakima Ter ritory, caved in on a partyrw men, crush ing them to the ground aafcjeverely in juring several. John Allis3!F, one of the party, was crushed- beneath the weight of a heavy wall log into a largo open fire. It became necessary to saw the log off in order to extricate him. While this was being done he lay coals, and was literally roasted alive, '

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.



MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. TAKE NOTICE that the VALUA TION LIST for the year 1880, as amended, is now OPEN for inspection at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers. All objections thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Mount Scmers, on or before the Third day of April, 1880, addressed to the Assessment Court; and a copy of every such objection must be left at the Mount Somers Road Board Office, not less than Seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. C. J. WENTWORTH COOKSON, JUKB. Clerk to the Mount Somers Road Board. Mount Somers, March 13th, 1880. Gilo NOTICE TO FARMERS. rjIHE undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 5500*



TO FARMERS. are CASH BUYERS of WHEAT, or will make LIBERAL ADVANCES on shipments to London on growers’ account. MILES, HASSAL, & CO., Christchurch ; MILES, ARCHER, & CO., 566 g Timaru. MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, March 30, 1880. C. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton. THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY WAS started about five years ago. The proprietors at first in tended to manufacture for the Trade only, but, owing to the persistent op position of importers and Shop keepers who could make a better profit on the imported article, they were compelled in self defence to open Branches for the sale of their goods direct to the public. In this they but followed the example of some of the largest manufacturers at home, and the Public, by purchasing at the undermentioned Branches, will SAVE THE PROFIT OF MIDDLEMEN, AND OBTAIN A SUPERIOR ARTICLE. BRANCHES. Invercargill Christchurch Wellington Dunedin Ashburton Auckland Oamaru Nelson New Plymouth Timaru Wanganui Napier A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE W. SPARROW, Manager, Ashburton Branch, 588g* New Zealand Clothing Factory. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c, JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cttter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cl’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a MAIL NOTICES. Mails closes at the Chief Post Offices for the following places (subject to the necessary alterations) M under : Tuesday, March 23. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Tararua, at 1,50 p.m. The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, .and will be due in London on May 11th. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi, will be closed at Christ church on April 6th, and will he due in London on May 27th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.