SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON

AS UNDER. For Wellington —Taiaroa, This Day,

Tuesday, Fob. 24. Passengers by

2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Tararua, on Thurs day, Feb. 26th. For Napier, Gisborne, Taitranga and Auckland —Tararua, on Thursday,

Feb. 26th. Passengers by 2.40 p.m.

train. To be followed by Hawca, on Satur day, Feb. 28. For Port Chalmers— Rotoraahana, This

Day, Tuesday, February 24. Pas sengers by 2.40 p.m. train For Melbourne, via Bluff—Roto mahana, This Day, Tuesday, Feb. 24th. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Tc Anau, Tuesday, 2nd March.

For Sydney —Tararua, on Thursday, Feb. 26. Passengers by 2.40 p.m.

train. For Hobart Town —Te Anau, Tues day, March 2. For Pioton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau —Taiaroa, This Day, Tues day, Feb. 2Gth. Passengers by the 2.40 p.m. train.

COMMERCIAL.

The following circular has been issued from the office of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the subject is of sufficient importance to war rant its publication in full : Christchurch, Feb. 19, 1880.

Wheat shipments to United Kingdom. —The observance by shippers of the fol lowing hints concerning the export of corn will atonce so facilitate its treatment at the port of shipment, and ensure for it so much more speedy and satisfactory a turnover on arrival in London, that wo feel confident you will in your own in terest endeavor to bring the suggestion into effect.

1. Branding of sacks. —The subject of indistinct marking has frequently been brought under our notice by our London office during the past season, with a view to the remedy of the defect in future, and we would accordingly urge upon our clients the necessity of clearly star iping upon each sack a distinctive brand, in ad dition to the figures impressed by the railway officials, merely for the con venience of their own department. While the employment of one or two letters is manifestly better than no brand at all, I am of opinion that the adoption of the name of the farm or of the owner would be preferable, being at once original and distinctive.

2. Forwarding by rail to Lyttelton.—ln order that unnecessary delay at the port of shipment and its attendant expenses may be avoided, we trust that you will promptly advise us of the despatch of your produce. The wheat should be con signed to the “New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, Lyttelton, for direct shipment,” and although we cannot guarantee immediate shipment, having no means of controlling the railway traffic and preventing blocks, wc are sanguine that the careful prepara tions we have mad« will enable us to ensure its reception on board ship as it comes to hand. You should also bear in mind the necessity of obtaining from the station-master at your end a railway re ceipt for each parcel of produce delivered, which please post to this office by first opportunity, and thereby enable us im mediately to fix the responsibility of short delivery or damage upon the proper parties 3. Condition of wheat and importance of its thorough dryness.—The practice of thrashing out of stock grain intended for shipment instead of first stacking it for a period, is so calculated to produce sweat ting that we take occasion to warn growers against the adoption of the system. 4. Tonnage errangements. —, Having fixed our freight arrangements for the sea son with the New Zealand Shipping Com pany, we can contldentally refer our friends to that Company's vessels specially chartered for wheat carrying. They are all, as be will observed, first-class iron ships, and every possible care will be exercised to reduce to a minimum the chances of sea damage.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion must be written egibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given, the advertise ment will bo inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Advertisements received after 10 o’clock each evening will be placed over the leader heading and charged double rates. 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 bo addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1880.

In our issue of Saturday we made a hurried reference to “ Fanners and prices of wheat,” hut since writing that article we have'obtained information which en ables us to revise our figures, and place them more accurately before our readers. To make clear the remarks which follow, we will first summarise the items of cost per bushel incurred in disposing of Ash burton wheac in London. They are as follows :—- Rail carriage, Ashbvrton to d. Lyttelton .. •• 3’47 Wharfage ... ... ... "6 Sampling and agency ... '25 Insurance at £1 per sack ... 'B2 Exchange, 90 days, at I per cent. ... ... ... '42

Loss on bags, bought pd., sold 4/<d 1-2 Freight, 50s. per ton of 2240 lbs., and primage 5 per cent. ... ... ... 16 *OB

Loss in weight, say per cent. ... ... ... I 'OS Granary charges ... ... 3‘ Brokerage and del. credere, 2 per cent., based upon selling price of S4S. per quarter ... ... ... 1‘62 Commission, 2 '/> per cent. Do. per cent. (Colonial) 1"j

32.23 Or about 2s. per bushel. From the above it will he seen that wheat realising 545. per quarter of 4961b5. in London, will give the shipper 3s. lOd. per bushel of GOlbs. iu Ashburton, or 4s. l£d. in Lyttelton. We arc well aware that farmers have occasionally paid something beyond our estimates of costs, but our figures are compiled from actual account sales issued by a first-class house, and shippers will do well to make the charac ter of their agents a matter of con sideration.

Independent holdershaving availed them selves of the different sources of information, will form their own views with regard to shipping prospects and act accordingly, but having carefully weighed the several conditions which influence the European markets, we must regard the purchase of wheat at 3s. 9d. in Lyttelton as a very propitious speculation. If such purchases reach a 50s. market they will yield a small profit, and there is at present every pros pect of early shipments commanding a considerably higher figure. American supplies appear to bo in firm hands, and the English harvest is yet only a matter of conjecture ; the collapse of the former, and an unusually abundant return. from

the latter would of course exercise a lowering tendency on the world’s markets, but at present we have no grounds for anticipating either contingency, although the prudent farmer, unable himself to ac cept the risk, will do well to provide against both by disposing of his grain here, at a rate consistent with Home pros pects. We cannot leave this subject with out calling attention to a circular pub lished in another column, which the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company have addressed to their clients. The suggestions it contains are of a thoroughly practical nature, and appli cable to all shippers whether friends or not of that institution.

Mount Somers Assessment Court.— The Mount Somers valuation list was con demned by the judge yesterday, and a now one ordered to be made by the valua tor Mr. F. G. P. Loach.

“ Thomas Moore. ’’—Professor Hughes, assistel by Miss Pauline Best, will give one of his admired lecture-entertainments in the Town Hall to-night. In addition to. the attractions of the entertainment itself, which includes Miss Best’s singing of melodics of the bard, and violin solos by the Professor, the proceeds will go to the Irish relief fund, L 59 14s. Od. having already been forwarded to the suffering poor by Professor Hughes. We wish him a full house as a reward for 3ns laudable mission.

Dkomore Goods Sued. —We notice that the new goods shod at Dromore is making rapid progress, the frame work being up, and the other necessary material coming to hand rapidly.

More Immigrants. —The ship Westland arrived at Port Lyttelton yesterday, and was sent to the quarantine ground, having scarlatina and measles on board, although there were a largo number of immigrants as passengers, and a deal of sickness, only three deaths, and those of infants, had oc curred.

Wheat to England. —Farmershaving now harvested their wheat must soon decide whether to sell in New Zealand or ship to England. In either case it is ad visable to thresh at once as the earlier shipments promise the best results. Those who elect to ship to England have unusual facilities offered them this season, as may be seen by a reference to Messrs. Royse Stead and Company’s advertisement.

The Registration of Electors.— Appointments of Registrars under The Registration of Electors Act, 1879,” have been made, and will be gazetted early next week.

Mb. Treadwell and the Land Com pany.—Mr. Treadwell, the gentleman who was so emphatically snubbed by the Auckland Laud Board, has been ex pelled by the Christchurch Co-operative Land Company, and his letter to the Land Board denounced as a misrepresen tation of the company. Greyhound Poisoned. —L’Esprit, a notable greyhound, the property of Messrs. Saunders and Walker, was acci dentally poisoned on Saturday last. It appears that a carbolic dressing had been applied to portions of her coat, and she licked herself dry, death ensuing a few hours afterwards. L’Esprit, by Poll Mell out of Scrap, was one of the most fashion ably bred greyhounds in the colony, and two years ago won the Nelson Gold Cup. A number of her progeny are engaged in the forthcoming Canterbury Coursing Club Derby and Oaks.

Tim Harvest. —All harvesting opera tions arc in full swing, and the magnifi cent weather wo have so far had has enabled the farmers to make exceedingly rapid progress in their operations. Our reporter states that nearly all the grain is cut, and safe so far as nor’-westers arc concerned, and the processes of stack building, threshing, and carting to the railway stations are going on all over the district, while the last operation of the farmer—giving delivery to the railway—is noticeable by the heavily laden trains of grain now daily being conveyed to port— the goods train yesterday morning having two engines attached. That pest, the rust, has made many a promising crop a miserable failure. Grain which was thick and well headed, and reckoned by compe tent judges to bo equal to 30 bushels per acre of good wheat, will now thrash out about 7 bushels of r.hrivclled grains only fit for pig or chicken feed ; and the farms on which it is to be seen are, we regret to sav, neither few in number nor small in acreage. It is a thing for which many theories have been propounded, but none of them arc quite satisfactory. One thing is certain—the rust has chiefly attacked the late and light, crops, amt wc think this should be a caution to our farmers to put their wheat in early in the season, as it makes very little difference to the time harvest sets in whether they sow it in M.oy ov October. This year it has all ripened together. That the soil has no thing to do with generating the pest is proved by the fact that a dean, healthy, crop may be seen on one side of a road, while oil tiie other the heads look as well, but contain no grain. The pickle used with the seed has also an effect on the future of the plant, and when sowing time comes wc intend to reproduce some very valuable information on this import ant portion of the farmer’s work.

Rakaia Railway Bridge. —As the Saturday night train approached the Rakaia bridge the danger signal was observed to ho shown, and the train was stopped. It was discovered that the bridge had taken fire, probably from the use of Malvern coal, but before any serious damage had been done the gate keeper bad extinguished the fire. It would bo as well if the railway authorities adopted the same precautions on this bridge as they have on the Ashburton one, viz., erecting a couple of tanks, and leading the water l:y pipes, with taps at intervals along the whole length, and buckets near the taps. There is no doubt a great risk, in such dry, hot weather as we are now experiencing, of serious damage to the bridge by fire, as the wood work is as liable to ignite as tinder. An other correspondent who crossed in a trap yesterday morning say’s the damage must have been very slight, as he saw no sign of a fire on the structure.

South Rakaia Assessment Court.— A sitting of the above Coux-t was held at the Road Board office, South Rakaia, 0:1 Saturday, Feb. 21, before F. Guinness, Esq., R.M. Mr. A. Makcig, secretary to the South Rakaia lloarl Board, ap pc ii-ed to object on behalf of the Board to the roll in toto, on the grounds of its being incomplete and irregular. Mr. F. G. P. Leach, the compiler of the roll, ap peared to refute objections. After a short argument the objection made by Mr. Makeig was withdrawn. The roll, how ever, being found to be incomplete, his Worship ruled that it had been proved that no valuation list had been prepared as required by the Act, and under pro visions of clause 28 of said Act, ordered a valuation list to bo made, and appointed Mi - . F. G. P. Leach to be the valuer for the district without remuneration. Thursday, March 11, was fixed for the date for com pletion and inspection of such list ; the last day upon which objections to said valuations could be received to he Mon day, March 29, and the Court then ad journed till Monday, April 5.

Prehistoric Max in California Spearheads of an Early Race. —B. B. Redding, in the Reno “ Gazette,” urges the miners to carefully save all the curiosi ties they may find. He speaks of the spears of the earlier races, and says there

are two of those spear heads in the Smith sonian collection, one from the hydraulic mines of Calaveras county, and the other, numbered 7342, from Folsom, Sacramento county. This spear head was found, with a disk of slate, having a hole in its centi’c, on a ledge of granite at the bottom of the gold mines, twenty-three feet below the

present surface of the streets of the town of Folsom. About thirty feet below the streets of Folsom the miners found a bed of hard, salt water mud, filled with fossil oyster shells, and shells of the extinct crustaceans of what Clarence King calls the miocene ocean. This ledge of granite is a point from the foothills of the Sierra that jutted out into this ancient sea. Who were the people that hunted and fished along the foothills when ihe base of the Sierra was washed by the ocean ? Was the top of Diablo then an island ? Or was ■‘die Sacramento Valley an inland sea, like Puget Sound or the Black Sea ? It is not singular that more of the spear heads of these primeval people are not found, or that when discovered they should be found beneath the drift and boulders of our gold mines. If any were left on or near the present surface, and had been discovered by the ancestors of our present Indians, they would have been split into knives and arrow heads, for obsidian in any form was of tire first necess’ty, and the most valuable materials in use until white men brought iron to the coast. So far as I can learn, there are five of these peculiar spear heads in public institutions, two at the Smithsonian, two in the pos session of Professor Cope, and one at Harvard. There are probably dozens in miners’ cabins, nr ornamenting bar rooms in the mountains, or used as paper weights in village grocery stores in California and Oregon, which, if they could be gathered in some public institution, with the facts and history of their discovery, would go far to prove that man made his appearance on earth, and lived on this coast when the mastadon, elephant, cave bear and sabre toothed tiger wandered among the foot hills of the Sierra, or, perhaps, earlier still, when the earth had so far evolved from hot chaos as to develop a climate that would give him food and provi lo him with shelter.

An Arctic Arcadia. —About 250 years ago the Tsceukfcschi were distinguished and gallant warriors. The discoverers have gathered a valuable assortment of tho arms and armor of that period. Many of these implements are preserved among the families, whose habits arc no longer aggressive. Very noticeable are their cuirasses, carefully wrought out of mam moth ivory, and fashioned with a remark able resemblance to the old Roman panoply. The spears and bows arc made of whale-bone, wood, and ivorj', spliced and bound with the sinews of the reindeer, and showing an advanced perception of arctic ornamentation on the part of the makers. One hundred and fifty years ago tho famous Russian, Colonel Panlovski commanded an expedition sent against them from Siberian settlements. In his first engagement with them he was badly worsted. He subsequently defeated them, but with heavy loss to his own troops, and has recorded much such a tribute to their valor as Pyrrhus bestowed upon the Italian legions which lie overcame. Strangely enough, they have no Govern ment, no laws, and almost no religion, if any. A Russian starous is their nominal ruler, but has neither authority nor in fluence. Very little foreign clothing is employed by them, their vestments being almost exclusively of skin. The nation probably numbers 10,000 souls, of whom one-half inhabit the littoral between Tschaun bay and Behring strait, and the other half dwell in the interior of the country. On the whole, it is im possible to imagine a more Arcadian race, though no philosopher ever yet expected to discover Arcadia so near the north pole. A people without chiefs and without criminals, experiencing no difficulty in the distribution of their joint exertions in fishing and hunting, whoso sole sign of pride of wealth or fancy is the possession of a boat a little larger than ordinary, may well deserve tho respect they have earned from Nordenskjold and his party and prove fitting subjects for further ethnolo gical study.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(A 'at let’s.) London, Feb. 20.

The present scries of wool auctions to date show the following increases in the prices of fwool as compared with last auction :—Greasy, lf,d to 2d. ; scoured, 2d. ; fleeces, lid. At the wool sales to-day 8800 bales have been catalogued; there was a firm and active demand.

In the House of Lords an important dis cussion took place on the Afghanistan question. The Duke of Argyle again at tacked the policy of the Government. Tho Premier replied, defending the course pursued, stating that Russia sought to embarass England in Asia. The duty of the Government was therefore to secure the gates of India. Until such had been achieved it was impossible to retire from Afghanistan, as anarchy still prevailed in the country.

London, Feb 21. At to-day’s wool sales 0900 bales were offered. Prices were firmly maintained. Buf.lin, Feb. 21.

The German Government are taking active interest in the preparation of ex hibits for the Melbourne Exhibition, and are adopting steps to be adequately repre sented, and have determined to grant a liberal subsidy. Constantinople, Fob. 21.

Colonel Lyngo, accompanied by his wife, who were engaged in relieving the refugees at Roumciia, have been captured by Greek brigands and threatened with death failing an adequate ransom. Galle, Fob. 21.

The P. and O. Company’s steamer Bangalore left here to-day with the in ward Suez mails.

{Argus Special.)

London. Fob. 31. Sir Garnet Wolsolcy has been appointed Quarter-master General. Wool firm, opening rates have advanced : greasy fleece Ikb, scoured 2d., cross breds 2d.

(Age Special.) London, Feb. 20.

Colonel Colley, Military Secretary to the Viceroy cf India, has been appointed successor to Sir Garnet Wolsely, at the Transvaal.

Mr. Hannay, a resident of Glasgow, has discovered the process of making artificial diamonds.

London, Feb. 21,

The Duke of Argyle declares the Afghan policy of the British Government to bo deceitful, weak, cowardly, and a stain on the honor and prestige of England. The Orient liner Sorata sailed for Mel bourne on Saturday. AUSTRALIAN. (Reuters). Sydney, Feb. 21. W. Hezlett has been elected member for Paddington in the Legislative Assembly, in place of Mr. Sutherland, resigned. Mr. Hezlett favors the Government education scheme. The International Exhibition closes on the 20th April. Sydney, Feb. 23. Three prisoners effected their escape from Casiro gaol yesterday, by removing a sash in the wall. They secured th»

police's horses and got clear away. The police are now in pursuit. Brisbane, Feb. 21.

A man bathing in the Kautree river yesterday was attacked by an alligator, which seized him in the thigh, and crushed and clawed him severely. The alligator finally slipped his hold, and the man escaped. The steamer Mcnmuir, from Singapore, reports that the comet was seen in Torres Straits. The nucleus was very red and quite visible.

PER OUR SPECIAL WIRE.

INTE RPRO VINCIAL.

Grahamstown, Feb. 23,

Alburnia shares advanced 10s. This price is owing to a statement that gold has been found in the low level.

Archbishop Steins is visiting the Thames. Ho receives an address from the congrega tion and the Hibernian Society and Christian Doctrine Society. A very large congregation heard him preach yesterday. There is small probability of Mr. Rowe floating the Caledonian Company, Auck land capitalists having combined against him.

Government is urged to procure some alteration in the conditions under which the gold fields are leased from the natives, who levy black mail on anyone moving the surface of the soil.

Napier, Feb. 23,

Mr. Mills arrived in town on Saturday, and reported to the police that the Wan ganui natives had shot a number of sheep at Murimutu, belonging to Mr. Moore house, and had threatened to burn clown the homestead. He stated that the whole of the hands had left the station owing to threats made by the natives, and that ho was the last to leave. Murimutu is in the Wanganui police district, and no action can therefore be taken by Inspector Scully in the matter. Topea, the head chief of the Taupo lives at present in Napier. Not withstanding the threatening aspect of the natives, Walker Neville is just about to drive 4000 sheep on to land immediately adjoining that of Mr. Moorehouse. The Taharate natives have given Mr M‘Master notice to leave his run, which he leases from them, within a week, under threats of violence if he refuses to comply with their demands. M‘ Master is now in town, and has reported the matter to the proper authorities. Even the rifle butts seem to be an offence iu the eyes of the Maoris. They have removed some of tho sand bags and other accessories, and doubtless they will next carry off the tar gets for private practice by themselves. Major Routledge has reported the matter to tho Government, and awaits instruc tions before taking any action in the matter.

Haw era, Feb. 21,

Major Tuke, with the whole of the Constabulary under him, are to move to Baylcy’s farm, north of Stoney River, to day. Mama, head chief of the Wanga garua, Napier, visited the Commission at Geo on Thursday. He expressed his in ability to compel his tribe to attend.

Christchurch, Fob. 23.

Mr RoUeston goes to Wellington to morrow. He was interviewed to-day by a deputation from the City Council, asking for some parliamentary help in the shape of a grant of land or money to Christchurch. It was pointed out that the other big towns by reason of their largo or wealthy endowments had to levy comparatively small rates, while Christ church with an endowment not more than LIGjOOO, and consisting of very xmre mnnerative property that brought no mox-e than LISG rental, had the cheering prospect of a rate something like 3s. lid. Mx - . RoUeston would give no decisive answer. He admitted the hardship of the position, hut said that Government had shut dowxx on grants of laud to muni cipalities and fresh legislation would be needed. He did not hold out much en couragement that anything could be doxxc to moot the wishes of the deputation. Tim abu, Feb. 23.

A man named James Munro died in tile hosjiital yesterday, from the effect of injuries received on Saturday while blast ing a rock. The charge went off too soon, terribly mutilating him. He was a single man. At tho inquest to-day, a verdict of accidental death was returned. f Dunedin, Feb. 23.

An instance of rapid telegraphing has occurred. A cable message for London, to be repeated from there to Edinburgh, was answered in Dundin in 24. hours 15 minutes from tho time it was put in. A Corporation laborer named Connolly, who plucki'y saved a child from certain death on Thursday, by snatching it from the front of an approaching engine at Hanover street crossing, is recommended by the “Star” for the consideration of tho Humane Society. The Lincolnshire delegates proceeded to Southland on Wednesday, forwarding their report by the outgoing mail on Friday. They go Home by the March mail.

The City Guards have in a body refused to attend the Easter Review at Christ church, objecting to the terms of 10s. a head, with accommodation in the barracks. The following horses have paid the final sweep on the Cup : —Foul Play, Mata, Natator, Longlanda, Betrayer, Hornby, Titania, Camballo, Grip, Libeller, and A tlantic.

Lamond’s claim at Vinegar Hill, Cam brians, washed up GOO ounces for three months’ working, dividing LSOO per man after paying expenses. In the seven-mile walking match be tween Claxton and M'Donncl, the former won in s(imin. 32sec. At Waikouaiti a Chinaman had both legs cut off by a reaping machine. Andved —The Corialanus, 98 days from anchorage to anchorage. She brings 39 passengers and 1700 tons of cargo. The passage was a mere yachting trip. Feathcrston and Murphy have been committed for trial for sticking-up at the Bald Hill Flat.

The Standard Insurance Company’s re port states that owing to the depressed state of business, and frequent heavy losses, the company has been gradually diminishing its risks. No dividend is recommended. Net premiums received during the half-year, L 32,452 ; interest on investments, L34BG ; fire and marine losses, L‘20,010, The Chamber of {Commerce have re ceived the following telegram from the Hon. Mr. Oliver ;—“ lie steamer com munication with West Coast ports, the Premier tells me that upon discussion of the Postal estimates in Committee of Sup ply, the expenditure for the service was strongly objected to. It was pointed out that it was only required to keep ports south of Hokitika in communication with the rest of the world, and that for this purpose communication with Hokitika or Greymouth would suffice. He promised to endeavor to reduce this expenditure by inviting tenders for a service from one of the larger West Coast ports, and is only acting up to that promise. There is no thing to prevent Dunedin steamboat owners tendering for the service, but the colony generally would not be content to subsidise a steamer to run from Dunedin at much greater expense than is war ranted. ”

Thomas Brian, engaged on the Govern ment survey staff in the Tuapoka district, died from sunstroke received at Waipori. He was aged 21, and was unmarried. The racing privileges realised LG74 10s. against L6lO last year. The “ Star ” hears a well known Can terbury racing man has instituted criminal proceedings against the “ Timas” and “Witness” Company for alleged libels concerning running his horses.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present—His Worship the Mayor (pre siding), Messrs. G. M. Robinson, R. Fried lander, E. Saunders, D. Williamson, A. Orr, and G. St. Hill. The Chairman said the only matter of importance which had occurred during the fortnight was the sitting of the Assess ment Court, and only in one case had a serious reduction been made. The total reduction in the roll was L 430. It would be necessary, as, tho rate book had been prepared, to give the necessary 12 days’ notice to-night of the Borough’s intention to strike a rate. THE DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. Mr. J. V. Colborne Yeel wrote, en closing correspondence relative to the institution for deaf mutes. It was resolved to acknowledge the letter. REGISTRAR OF DOGS. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary’s office, informing the Borough that Mr. Charles Braddell had been ap pointed Registrar of dogs for the Borough. AN APPEAL AGAINST BEING RATED. The Rev. W. Keall wrote, objecting to his residence being rated, on the ground —(lst.) That it was the property of the trustees of tho church, and was precisely similar as a trust to the church in Cameron street; (2nd.) That the generous reason which relieves churches in the colony from taxation applies with equal force to parsonages ; (3rd.) That as the parsonage was solely maintained by public beneficence, there was an injustice done to those who subscribed to support the church. Mr. Robinson could not see that this manse should be exempted from rates, as all other manses in the district were rated, being outside the Borough and rated by the Road Board. Mr, St. Hill endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks. A monstrous injustice would be done to the ratepayers if such a request were granted, and he could not look upon it as other than an appeal on tho plea of poverty. Not long ago Mr. Keall had written to them complaining that they had not kept a lot of circus dogs from barking near Ins residence. The Mayor read clause 115 of the Municipal Corporations Act,providing that a remission of rates could not be granted except on the plea of extreme poverty.

Mr. Oxt understood that Mr. Kcall would attend the meeting,' and perhaps could throw more light on the matter. He had been informed that the parsonages, &c., were not rated by the Road Hoard. Mr. Robinson proposed, and Mr. St. Hill seconded—“ That a reply be sent to Mr. Keall that the Borough could not legally remit the rate.” AN UNFAIR DEMAND. Mrs. V. Callaghan wrote, stating that Mr. Crisp had charged Os. for writing a letter demanding payment of a rate, and putting her to unnecessary expense. Mr. R. Fried lander said it was no part of the duty of the collector to call for rates. Mr. Robinson said that a paid servant of the Council had no right to charge for writing letters; and he thought the Borough’s solicitor should not have de manded payment for doing work his salary was intended to cover. ' Mr. St. Hill said it looked as if the collector and solicitor had agreed that their screw was not very large, and they must “ send a letter,” and he would like to know whence Mr. Crisp obtained his authority to write that letter. The Borough were responsible for the acts of its servants, and he considered the borough should refund the money, both as an act of courtesy and of justice.

Mr. Friedlaudcr —But the Council did not receive the money. Mr. St. Hill moved, and Mr. Robinson seconded—“ That the (ss. be refunded.” Mr. Saunders recollected that instruc tions were given to the collector to collect the rates and to obtain the assistance of tbo solicitor. Ke thought Mr. Crisp might have acted in the usual way, and sued for the rate, and not have written, and charged for the letter. The Mayor said if this resolution were carried, there was no saying whore the matter would stop. It would be the bet ter course to write to Mr. Crisp to pay it. Mr. Robinson withdrew his motion. Mr. Saunders then proposed—“ That Miss Callaghan’s letter be forwarded to Mr. Crisp for an explanation, to be laid before the next meeting.” Seconded by Mr. Williamson and car carried. BUILDING REGULATIONS. Mr. C. E. Fooks, engineer to the borough, wrote stating that the building bye-laws had been completed by him with the assistance of the solicitor, and sug gesting that the whole of the borough from South street to Peter street, and from East street to Cass street, be in cluded in the operations of the bye-laws. Mr. St, Hill said the old boundaries were fixed at Tancred street, and he thought the alteration of the boundaries would tend to check building. Mr. Robinson said that Christchurch had been closely packed with houses be fore a building bye-law was thought of. Mr. R. Friedlaudcr proposed that Mr, Fooks be instructed to act on his original instructions. —Carried. defaulters’ list.

The Rate Collector stated that thcfollow ■ing was the state of last year’s rate fist: — Amount collected—Llo39 12s. ; paid in that day, Ll 9 12s. ; still due, LBO 18s. Total—Li t4O 2s.

The Mayor said tho most prominent of the defaulters was the late Mayor, who still owed his dues on six sections ; and the Town Hall Company, who were in debt LlO, the Town Clerk being secretary, and several others.

Mr. R. Fricdlander proposed that the solicitor bo instructed to sue at once for all overdue rates.

Mr. St. Hill seconded, and paid a high compliment to the perseverance of the rate collector, who had been very diligent in his duties. The motion was carried. DESERVES COMMITTEE'S RETORT. The Committee appointed to report on the best method of dealing with the borough reserves recommended that Nos. 7G7, 210, and 211 he let for 21 years, and 1080, with cottages, for 14 years. These were to be submitted by public auction, with the reserve prices fixed by the Coun cil ; Nos. 704 and 705 to be planted. Mr. Saunders proposed that the Coun cil adopt the report prepared by the Com mittee. Mr. R. Friedlander seconded. Mr. Robinson thought the reserves should be put up to public auction, and sold at a less price than the reserve in the report, and that a rental should not he fixed dogmatically. The Mayor said the Reserve Committee had acted for the best, and considering the depression existing, ho was of opinion that there would be a great loss if the reserves were sacrificed by auction. The motion was then put and carried. Mr. R. Friedlander proposed, and Mr. Orr seconded, “ That the Reserves Com mittee take the necessary action re letting the reserves. ” ‘Carried. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. The Inspector reported that great damage was done to the side drains by drays. Mr. St. Hill said that at Messrs. Fried lander Bros.’ corner farmers and carters occupied the footpath to such an extent that it was frequently impassable. Mr. R. Friedlander said that if drays drew over the footpath at their store it was not by their request, and it was a matter for the Inspector to deal with. There were plenty other obstructions, such as packing cases, on the footpath.

The Mayor said there were no bye-laws as yet, and the matter dropped. REX To DUE. The'Mayor reported that a largo amount (LG4) of outstanding debts were due by the tenants of the cottages, who only paid | ,4s. per week for each, and lie would sug gest that proceedings be taken for the re covery of the rents. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr. Weymouth Roberts was granted leave of absence for a term. THE NEW RATE. Mr. Saunders proposed the resolution standing in his name : “ That the Council strike a rate of a shilling in the £ seconded by Mr. St. Hill and carried. FLUSHING THE SIDE CHANNELS. Mr. Saunders said that he considered the nuisances arising from the Burnett street and other drains were such that it was absolutely necessary to do something in the matter. The state of the funds did not permit of any permanent works, but he was of opinion that water could he brought down the gully in the domain and into East street and thence down other streets. He believed a regulating hatch could be put in for about LlO. He had previously explained his siheme to the Council. The Mayor said he was prepared with a scheme something similar to Mr. Saun ders, and would suggest a special meeting of the Council at an early date. Mr. Williamson thought the Mayor might give some information to the Council as to the nature of his scheme, to give them an idea of its value. There was another very important matter, the question of the right to bring the water through private lands. It was then resolved to hold a special meeting next Monday night. Mr. Robinson said that where vested interests were concerned people usually claimed compensation, even whore the water being brought through their lands was a direct benefit to them. Mr. Saunders said that he had made enquiries of the people interested, and thought there would be no objection. At any rate, it was only a temporary measure. Accounts amounting to L 43 7d. were passed for payment, and the Council ad-

TEMPERANCE LECTURE.

Last night Dr. Roseby delivered a lecture on temperance in the Town Hall. There were between 300 and 400 people present, and by some stupid error on the part of those in charge of the Juvenile Templars, a crowd of noisy children were first crowded into the back seats of the hall, and then trotted up to the gallery, where they amused themselves and dis turbed the audience by doing a double shuffle on the flat floor. It was some time before the noise subsided sufficiently to enable the Chairman—Mr. Alfred Saunders —to introduce the lecturer. When he did so, in a short speech, he bespoke a fair hearing for Dr. Roseby, who in commencing his lecture, drew a comparison between the town of Ashburton and others to the south, and foretold a fair future for her. A bad harvest had brought on hard times, and if report wore true Ashburton had suffered severely from those hard times, but with an improving market in the Old Country, and a steadily rising wool value, confirmed by a cablegram in the “ Herald that night, he hoped the bad times would soon the past. The Dr. then proceeded to introduce the subject of temperance. He remembered an instance in connection with the recent visit of the Rev. Dr. Somer ville, when no less than 40 requests for prayer were sent into a noonday prayer, meeting. Those 40 were for the reforma tion of persons guilty of intemperance, and those requests he purposed to make the subject of his remarks. Those re quests were very various in their charac ter, and comprised the prayer of fathers for intemperate Sons, mothers for intem perate daughters, and sons and daughters for intemperate parents ; every relation in life seemed to bo represented amongst the 40 petitions—all circumstances and con ditions, young .and old, rich and poor, re ligious and unconverted. The lecturer then proceeded to expatiate on the ter rible amount of sorrow, of misery, of suf fering, of anxiety that must have been in cluded in those 40 requests for prayer. Referring to the case of a drunken hus band he pointed out the degradation of a man who so dishonored the position he held as the head of a household, as to be come, not the example of sobriety that he ought to he, hut a degradation to himself and his family. He drew a sad picture of a drunken father led home inebriated and helpless from a debauch by the hand of liis child—a scene which was, alas, too often to be witnessed. Passing on he dwelt upon the fact that a drunken, son was no uncommon scene, and it Avas a sub ject that could not but cause deep sorrow to a parent. He had known young men with high talents, and brilliant prospects come out into the world with every hope of a bright future before them, and yet that future be blasted by the fell destroyer. The wife and mother was no exception to the clutches of the demon drink, and there were many such ■who had gone down before the tempter The inebriate as he diifted on towards the goal which is the drunkard’s, was left without faith in God, for his continued and oft-repeated sin corroded out his fear of the Lord. The lecturer then proceeded to pointy out that the cause of intemperance lay in a man’s physical nature. After years of moderation a man may find that the struggle to keep within moderate bounds becomes increasingly severe, and may also find that in tlic end he may succumb to the evil. It was time they began to realise the fact that (he difference between one man’s intemperance and another’s moderation was only a physical one. There Avere men who could not touch liquor without becoming inebriates, and there were others Avho could keep on in a mode rate course of drinking. Every deviation, hoAvever, in the direction of excess ren dered future excesses easier, and induced them to be made more frequently. There AA’ore three causes from which habitual intemperance arose. The first Avas home use. In too many homes liquor Avas used, and he did not Avonder at the fact that there were sometimes cases in which clergymen even forgot themselves and took too much, for if they were diligent visitors it Avould be offered to them, nay, forced upon them in many houses. Then our social customs Avere in favor of intem perance, and there Avas scai-cely an event in social life which did not require, by our social customs, to be celebrated by the consumption of liquor. Every marriage celebrated, every birth, ay, every death almost, required to he celebrated by the use of liquor, and there Avere many, many men, Avho made the making of a quarrel, the mending of one, the paying of an account, or the receiving of one, an occasion for drinking. There Avas a third cause, and that Avas the facilities for drunkenness which were at hand at every step. He Avished the noble band of men who Avere noAV working in the Legislature—and of whom their vener able Chairman Avas one—he Avished them God speed in their grand efforts. But the great cause of drunkenness was drinking —that Avas the marrow of the question. He Avas prepared for the question—“ Why should I do this ? I am in no danger. ” His reply to this Avas that he was not sure that any man was in no danger. Men of great moral strength and greater goodness had fallen utterly under the power of the great destroyer, and no man had any guarantee that he was able to keep clear of the great vortex which had draAvn in so many. To such an objection too, he would answer Avith the ques tion, —Axe your children safe ? Is it a safe lesson to teach them by

your example I The lecturer then pro ceeded to give statistics of the drink traffic in England, from which he stated LU,000,000 were last year spent in England in intoxicating liquor, and 120,000 persons had died either a drunk ard’s death, or a death that had been in directly attributable to drink, and those men and women, with their corresponding number in New Zealand, were men and women with the same powers, the same intelligence, the same refinement, the same talent perhaps as the best of those they had left behind. Then there was an argument often used by uiM«who used liquor. It was simply this/W I like it.” That was a purely selfish and to seek an answer to that objection ho would no back to the Persian Queen Esther, to the Apostle Paul, and to Christ, himself—each of whom denied themselves and made sacrifices for the good that they could do. In a splendid • peroration the lecturer ap pealed to his hearers to give their coun tenance to the cause he advocated, and he showed that the Templar order of which he was the head in the colony, strove tosupply the place of the attractions of the bar room to the man who withdrew into Tem plary’s sheltering fold. The lecture was received throughout with hearty applause, and at the close the marks of approbation were renewed. Rev. W. Keall proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Roseby for his admirable lecture.

Rev. A. M. Beattie seconded. He was not a pledged abstainer, but ho drank no thing from January to December. He was glad, however, to see so many wearing the badges of the Templar order that night, as it proved to him that they were not likely to fall into the sin of drunken ness. For himself, he was a Christian clergyman, and as such he was pledged against all sin—not that of drunkenness alone. He would be glad to see all who wore that Templar’s badge, and all who were teetotallers, and all who were not teetotalers as enthusiastic in the cause of Him who was the source of all strength to resist sin, and then the sin of drunkenness would disappear. Rev. Mr. Westbrooko moved, and Rev. A. J. Smith seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Mr. Saunders, in acknowledging the compliment, expressed the pleasure he had had in listening to the lecturer, and also to Mr. Beattie. But he doubted, if the latter gentleman looked upon the subject in another light, whether he would believe the example of not being a total abstainer was the safest one to be set before his dock. There were not many men who could lead such a blameless life, and become so good a man as they knew Mr. Beattie to be, and yet be moderate drinkers. He hoped yet to be able to welcome Mr. Beattie into that Order who tried to win by example, even as St. Paul did, who would drink no wine while the world stood, “lest he make his brother to sin.”

DRINK’S DOINGS.

(From the North Devon Journal.)

It is a ghastly incident of this Christ mas time Avhicli avc have to report as having happened at the village of Wear gifford, near Bideford, by Avhich one life has been sacrificed and another placed under the shadoAV of the gallows. It av&s the life of a young wife, the mother of two children, and likely so m to have added a third ; and her murderer is her own husband and their father. We need scarcely add, so common is the case, that the inspiration of this foul and unnatural crime was the drink —nothing but the drink ! But for it they had now been a happy family, heart could wish. Strong drink made her a victim, their children motherless, and branded him as a murderer ! And this drink is an indulgence for which many good people plead, and say many soft things in extenuation and even in praise of it. When will our country rise as one man to declare Avar against this monster, which will surely ruin her if she do not crush out its life ? We need not dwell long on the circumstances of this tragedy, for they are but few. A gentleman and his Avife, of the name of West, from Cormvall, have been living at Woargifford a little more than two years. They seem to have been of ample means, and lived, in a style of much respectability. But he Avas known to be a drunkard, and they appear to have made no acquaintance of their own rank in society. Fond of his Avife, and affectionate when he Avas out of his cups, he Avas a demon when the drink possessed him. In his frenzy he had many times threatened to shoot her, and she Avas known to have expressed her apprehension that he Avould some day do so; but Avith a Avoman’s love and a Avoman’s Aveakness she persisted in running the lisk of her life rather than leave him. And her worst fears have been realised. It doss not appear that there had been any quarrel between them on Saturday night ; he had been drinking, but was someAvhat in* a frolicsome mood, and spent an hour or two with their maid-servants in the kitchen, Avhere he induced his Avife to join them, and some pleasantries passed betAveen them. Little did the ill fated lady imagine that she had only a feAV short minutes to live ! Yet so it was. She retired to her bed-room, whither ho followed her. No sound of quarrelling Avas heard, but an ejaculation from her once repeated, “Oh Frank, don’t!” Then a rifle-shot, and all Avas over? Ste satin her chair a corpse, the blood flowing from the fatal Avound in her neck. And there, stupefied with drink, it must be supposed, he remained with the dead . body the rest of the night, Avhile all besides in the house slept. The servant went in the morning Avith a cup of tea for hefi mistress, and found her sitting in the chair dead ! And the murderer—he had gone to his workshop—to amuse himself, it may be, or to aAvait the issue. And the issue came full soon ; and noAV in the hands of j ustice he is immured in a dismal cell, by and by to be exchanged for the murderer’s doom. Such is the tragic story —one of thousands of instances in which the same deamon of drink is multi plying its victims every year. Are there none Avho will he moved, to make the only atonement —if \ve may so speak—possible for the young life thus brutally destroyed, by breaking off from, and vowing eternal enmity to, that accursed habit to which, not in herself, but in him Avho had solemnly sworn to guard and protect her, she oavgs the unutterably cruel fate which has overtaken her?

Threshing. —Mr. Lloyd commenced threshing yesterday, at Newlands and avg understand the Avheat crop is running out about 20 bushels per acre.

Meat-keeping in Hot Weather. —The Japanese method of keeping meat fresh in hot weather is just iioav attracting a good deal of attention in European circles. It consists in placing the raw flesh in por celain vessels and pouring on it boiling water, whereby, the albumen on the sur face is quickly coagulated, and forms a protection against the further action of the water. Oil is then poured on the surface of the Avater so as to prevent the access of air and consequent putrefaction of the meat. The system of protecting animal substances by securing of the albumen and the air is of course no novelty, ancHPcjm hardly be supposed that we are indebted to the Japanese for its original adoption. But undoubtedly their method of applying it is far preferable to that practised by our selves in the process of preserving tinned meats, which appears to consist in boiling them for such a length of time that almost all their flavor is destroyed, and the ultimate result is a mass of tasteless shred of muscular fibre.—“Farmer,”

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, EEBHUAKI 24, 1880.



NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HATE opened those premises situated in Tancred street .adjoining Messrs Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OE TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter 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 Ci.’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. 1 FARMERS REQUIRING HANDS can engage men through the “ Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can engage through the “ Herald ” Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying !/-■ ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p.m., by numbers given to the applicants, who will learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. Further Particulars on application at the “EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. “Or ANTED, those in search of eraploy- YY ment, to call and either enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay nient of Is. SERVANTS requiring situations, call and get your names entered in the Herald Registry, Is. EMPLOYERS requiring any kind of laborers can engage through Herald Registry Office, on payment of Is. in ad vance.



WHEAT FREIGHT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. finHß undersigned, having JL completed their charters for the ensuing grain season, will regularly despatch first class iron ships to various ports in the United Kingdom. Several other equally high class iron vessels are also chartered, and will follow. For freight, apply to P. CUNNINGHAM & CO. ; Or to ROYSB, STEAD, A CO., 4SSo # Christchurch. ENGLISH WHEAT SHIPMENTS. fTAHE Undersigned are prepared to ship § wheat to London or any other Port in the United Kingdom for farmers or others, making liberal CASH ADVANCES against same on favorable terms. placing their Wheat in our hands for shipment can rely upon the ENGLISH CHARGES being REDUCED to a minimum, and upon receiving PROMPT ACCOUNT SALES. Intending shippers wishing to avail themselves of the present opportunity of testing the London and other English wheat markets, are recommended to make IMMEDIATE APPLICATION for space. ROYSE, STEAD, A CO., 489(1* Christchurch. MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, Am., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, March 2nd, 1880. C. PERCY - COX, 42To* Agent, Ashburton. BARLEY. BARLEY. THE UNDERSIGNED are PUR CHASERS of really choice bright MALTING BARLEY. Only extra line samples are wanted. ROYSE, STEAD, A CO., 5230* Christchurch. POST OFFICE NOTICES. Mails close at tiie Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at to 20, a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chcrt-ey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hind-, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gcrakline, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temnka. Timnru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Grecnstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterlon, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Scaficld, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douoi.as, Postmaster.