SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Wanaka, s.s., from Manukau via way ports. Stella, C.G.s., from Wellington. Yesterday. Tui, s.s., from Wellington and Kai koura. To-day. Penguin, s.s., from Dunedin. Sailed. Saturday. Enterprise, brigantine, for Timaru. Oreti, s s., for Manukau, via way ports. Stella, C.G.s., for the South. Wanaka, s.s., McGillivray, for Welling ton. Crusader, ship, for the United King dom. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Borealis, brigantine, from Auckland ; Ringarooraa, from Auckland via East Coast; Wanaka, s.s., from the South. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Penguin, s.s., from Northern ports. Sailed —Bengal,barque, for Oatnaru. Greymouxh, Yesterday. Arrived—Annie, from Taranaki; Wild Duck, from Nelson. Sailed—Grafton, for Wellington ; Sarah and Mary, for Lyttelton ; Mary Camp bell, for . Dunedin ; Maud Graham, for Manukau; Wallace, for the South; Charles Edward, for Nelson; Wallabi, for Wanganui.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Monday afternoon. Mr. T. Bullock reports as follows : —At the weekly sale on Saturday of horses, Implements, &c., at the Horse Bazaar, there was a much larger attendance than usual, and more spirited bidding for good draught stock. Our entries for the day were 23 horses, on account of Messrs. McConnell,' Lake. Harvey, Beer, Chamberlain, Bartlett, Williams, and others, which were sold at the following prices, viz. ; Draught horses, L 33, L 32, L2B, L 27, L 26, L 23, L2l, Ll 7 ; hack and light harness horses brought Lio, L 9, L 7, and L 6 15s ; weeds and scrubbers, from Li to L 3; three-horse drays, Lx3 105 to Li 1 18s ; tip carts, Ll 4 10s and L 8; double-furrow ploughs, L 6 and Ls> There were also a quantity of harness, and parcels of wheat, oats, and barley, all of which fetched satisfactory prices. Landed Properties. —During the week we have sold 2'A acres of land, near the East Town belt, to Mr. Patrick Murray, at L 47 10s per acre, equal to cash ; section and small cottage at Tinwald, for Li4s-

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : -

For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a, m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. in. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily.-, \ For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays, and Fridays, at 6 a,m.

Mails: arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

Prom Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 plm.~3.aily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, November 23. Robert Wilkin and Co., Tinwald Yards— -60 Two and Four-tooth Lincoln Ewes.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, November, 22. Ashburton Gas Company, Annual Gene ral Meeting, Templar Hall, 3 p.m. Tuesday, November 23. Public meeting, re railway tariff, Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. St. John’s Lodge, Emergency Meeting, in the Somerset Hall at 7.30 Amateur Dramatic Club, Meeting of Members.

Monday, November 29. Mount Somers Road Board, Monthly Meeting. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Tuesday, November 30. Masonic Ball, in the Town Hall, to com mence at 8.30. Wednesday, December 1. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Wednesday, December 8. Local Industries Association, Monthly Meeting.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

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

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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

The Ashburton Guardian. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1880.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.~\

Merinos. —To-day, Messrs. R. Wilkin and Co. sold by auction, in Christchurch a number of merinos bred by Kermode, of Tasmania. The rams brought 11 to 14 guineas, and the ewes 10 guineas.

Mount Somers Road Board. —An advertisement announces the holding of the ordinary monthly meeting of the Mount Somers Road Board on Monday, November 29, instead of on Monday, December 26.

Trout, —Some four hundred trout have been liberated in the Borough’s stream in the hope that they will take kindly to its waters. There is no reason in the world why they shouldn’t, but every reason why they should, if they are let alone. They are not, we think, likely to be disturbed, as the water is not clear enough for the larrikins to find out where they are yet awhile, and we decline to tell. Another lot have been placed in the creek, near the town, and there is every proba bility that soon every promising stream in the neighborhood will afford sport for the angler.

A Challenge. —ln another column we publish a challenge,, issued by Mr. W. H. Smith, to show his carriage stallion, Tam o’ Shanter, against any other in the district. It will be remembered that at the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Show of 1879, Mr. Smith's horse was placed first in his class, Mr. Carter’s Dexter being behind him, while at the Show of last year the positions were reversed. If the challenge is taken up, (he decision of the judges will be watched for with considerable interest, as both Tam o’ Shanter and Dexter have by their sterling merit secured a host of admirers, and the partisans of each are confident of the superiority of their favorite.

Drowned While Bathing.— The hot weather is always a temptation to out door bathing, and the bath is not without its dangers. Already a goodly number of deaths have this season to be scored up against the rivers of the colony, and on Friday last another occurred —in the Clutha, at Roxburgh, where a lad of twelve years, named Hiscocks, was drowned. His body has not yet been recovered.

Good Templaky.— ln reporting on the progress of the Order in this district, we have to note the opening of two now lodges, one at Barrhill, on the 11th ultimo, and one at Alford Forest on the following day. The one at Barrhill was instituted by Bro. R. Elston, D.D.G.W. C.T., assisted by Bros. K. Sando and Isaac Scott, when a good number were in itiated. It was called The Rising Star of Barrhill, and the nights of meeting were fixed for every alternate Saturday—in the schoolroom. The lodge at Alford Forest is named The Bushman’s Pride, and was instituted by Bro. Sando (acting on in structions received from Bro. Elston), with a very fair number of members. Their meeting nights are fixed for every alternate Saturday, commencing on the 27th inst.

Cole’s Circus. Perhaps the most popular kind of entertainment in this colony is the circus, and the public will have recollections of the audiences, num bered by the thousand, who patronised the huge establishments of Messrs. Cooper and Bailej', and Chjarini. A circus of the same description, and even of greater dimensions, has just arrived in Auckland, and has commenced to work its way down the colony. Coles’s Circus is said to wipe out everything we have yet seen for magnitude, and we may expect to see it here about the end of next month. Already an advance agent has been in Ashburton, and this week will see the enormous pictorial posters displayed, that Cole’s people spare no expense in getting up. To display the illustrations of their performers’ feats, and the pictures of the animals that form their menagerie, the circus does not stick at erecting hoardings, 400 or 500 feet Jong, where they find it necessary or desirable, and the gorgeous character of their bills deserve ample display. About the 20th of next month we may expect to see this monster affair, which requires nearly an acre of ground to exhibit in, carries a following of 70 men and 50 horses, and includes the somewhat rare sight in these colonies, of a troupe of American Indians.

Catching the Mail. — The following story shows how fast the Yankees are, and how their “ push” will stick at nothing. The story is told by the New York Tribune in the following words “On Wednesday,” it say's, “Postmaster James (of New York city) learned that the Pacific mail steamer City of Sydney, which left Sydney on September 9, had reached San Francisco on October 5, two days ahead of time. She was just two hours too late to catch he mail train of that day, and a delay of wenty-four hours was unavoidable. The chodule time from San Francisco was two hours too late to catch the first departing British steamer. Mr. James went to the Union Paciffic office in this city and repre sented the facts to Sydney Dillon, and asked if a special could not be put on to catch the regular mail train of the day before. S. H. H. Clarke, general manager of the Union Pacific at Omaha, and A. N. Towne, general superintendent of the Central Pacific, at San Francisco, were present. ‘ Where is the train with the mail at. this time ?’ Dillon asked of Towne —‘ On the Humboldt Division somewhere,’ was the reply. ‘Can a special train catch the other train?’ he asked. Clarke rep.ied in the affirmative, but added : ‘We shall have to run the special a thousand miles, and it will cost a thousand dollars.’ Don’t care what it costs,’ replied Dillon. ‘Do it.’ The tele graph was put into requisition, and it was done. The regular mail train was over taken at Omaha. The Australian mail car was attached, last night at 9.18. It was landed in this city, and to-day it goes by the Arizona to England. If the vessel makes schedule time, the trip from Sydney will have been made in the shortest time on record—about forty days.” The Arizona was expected to reach England in seven days, but did not arrive at Queensland till the evening of October 21. The mail was delivered in London forty-two days from Sydney. A correspondent wrote to the Tribune in quiring who paid the thousand dollars, and James replied that it was the Union and Central Pacific Railroad Companies, that he was proud of his country and the enterprise of its rail road men, and that such a thing was not possible in any other country in the world.

A Hair Snake —To-day Mr. A. 0 Aifckei: while sprinkling the footpath in front of his shop in East street, with water from the public channel, threw out a long worm —about as thick as a horse hair, of a brown color, and about a foot long. He secured the reptile and placed it in water, and now preserves it as a curiosity. The worm is known as the “hair worm,” and is believed by some people to come from a horse hair, as it is often found in horse troughs, cisterns, Ac. “Its scientific name is the Gordius aquations, the first having reference to the Gordian knot, the animal having a way of twisting itself up almost inextricably ; its specific name, aquations, was given because it is always found in the water, there being several species which are not aquatic.” The above quotation is from the American Agriculturist, which goes on to say ; “ These worms lay their eggs, which are hatched, and the young Gordiuses, in some manner, find their way into the bodies of grasshoppers crickets, locusts, and water beetles, being probably taken in with their food. Inside of these insects, like tape worms in large animals, they live and grow, and when they have reached their*full size, after having lived upon the food which these insects have taken for themselves, they at length leave the host that has entertained them so long, and are fortunate if they make their escape near water, where they can live for a while and lay their eggs for » new crop. A friend who gives much attention to the study of insects, informs me that he has often seen these “ Hair Snakes ” coming form the bodies of crickets, and can confirm the observations of European naturalists. That one animal can live within the body of another may be new to you. Such animals are called Entosoa, a word from the Greek, meaning within an animal, There is a very large class of creatures that thus pass the whole or a part of their li ms, it may be within the stomach and intestines of another animal, or it may be in some other part, the liver, the brain, and various other organs, affording a homo for these creatures. That an animal like the hair worm should live within the body of a grasshopper or cricket, is indeed very strange, but it is something more than strange, such knowledge is useful. Our domestic animals are troubled by various creatures that live within them. The hair worm, it is said, does not injure the grass hopper, though it would not be of much consequence if it did, but with our domestic animals, while some of the Entozoa cause little or no trouble, others, when in great numbers, make them ill, and even kill them. . . . • • One more curious thing about the Gordius or hair worm. When the pool in which it happens to be dries up, the worm does not die, but, as we may say, goes to sleep,- and waits until water comes again. Mow long it can wait I do not know, but an Italian naturalist put away one in a drawer, where it was forgotten for three years, and when at the end of that time it was placed in water it became as lively as ever."

Tenders. —The Wakanui Road Board call for tenders for a good bit of work to be done within the district.

Cricket. —Now that the holidays are over, our cricketers are again beginning to bestir themselves. We are requested to notify that a club match will be played on Saturday next, commencing at two p. m. —married v. Single. A good muster is requested. A challenge has been accepted to play the Geraldine Club on the 7th December, and as they are a very strong club, it is hoped Ashburton players will practice regularly, and thus be enabled to retrieve their position of last year with this club. Who were They ?—We weren’t about when this happened, if it ever did, but some Temuka man appears to have been, anyhow the yarn is told in the Temuka paper ; —The following from Ashburton is too good to be lost sight of. An insurance agent, busy in his office, was accosted by a rev. gentleman, “ You seem rather busy Mr. S—.” “Yes, Jam,” returned that gentleman. “I am filling in some policies fetrlife insurance.” Clergyman, “Life; what is life. Life is tut a shadow. Can you insure the soul!” The ready witted insurance agent replied that he regretted that the Government had not yet seen fit to undertake fire risks. Tableau. The Karamba Savages. —A corres pondent of the Westport Times, writing from the Karamea special settlement, says : —A gentleman from Motueka is at present on a missionary tour amongst the settlers, and judging from the fact tuat he brought through a fiack horse, via Westport, laden with tracts, ho must have expected to find us in a state of savagery. One of the outpost settlers affirms that when the preacher approached his clear ing in the woods he held out a,stick with a red rag on the end of it, after the ortho dox style of approaching savages, meaning that he was friendly, and was replied to with the same signal.

Holloway's Pills, — These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated con stitution than any other medicine in the world. Persons of a nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become deranged by bilious affection, disordered stomach, or liver complaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Coughs, colds, asthma,, or shortness of breath are also within the range of the sanative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete any permanent. They are as mild as they are efficacious, and may be given with confidence to delicate females and young chil dren. Their action on the liver, stomach, and bowels is immediate, beneficial, and lasting, restoring order and health in every case, — Advt

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Renter's Agency.) Further Prorogued. London, Nov. IS. Parliament has been prorogued until December 2nd. Won’t Stump Up. The non-payment of rents in Ireland is still on the increase. The Markets. London, Nov. 19. Consols, 991; New Zealand securities are unchanged. New Zealand wheat; ex ship, 465.; A delaide wheat, ex warehouse, 525.; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 375. Total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain, 1,900,000 quarters. Australian tallow—best beef, 345.; best mutton, 375. Catching It. Teheran, Nov, 20. News has been received that severe re prisals have been inflicted on the tribes of Kurds for their depredations in Persian territory by the Persian troops which were despatched against them. Not an Inch Yielded Yet. Constantinople, Nov. 20. The Albanian chiefs have refused to assist the contingent of Turkish rediffs in enforcing the citizens of Dulcigno to sur render the town, and the latter continue to show open hostilities to the Turkish troops which have been despatched there. Useless. Rome, Nov. 20, The Vatican has sent a strong protest to France against the decrees for the expul sion of the Jesuits.

AU STRALI AN

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Reform Bill.

Melbourne, Nov. 21

In Mr. Berry’s Reform of the Constitu tion Bill, the number of single electorates is thirty, not thirty-five, as previously telegraphed.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press AsoociaHou,) The Te Aroha Rush. Grahamstown, To-day.

To give some idea of the distance of Te Aroha from Grahamstown it may be stated that a Star special rode there yesterday in four and a half hours. There are 100 men camped on the ground, and stores and business places are going up. The prospectors have covered up the face and drives to prevent people taking the same. A half share sold in their claim for L6O. It is proposed to form a company. The opinion of the majority of miners is that the district is worth prospecting. On the day of opening disturbances are contemplated, as parties are already formed to prevent others from pegging out favorite pieces of ground. The field will he opened at 9 o’clock on the 25th, and detachments of police have been warned already to he in readiness to proceed to Te Aroha. Gold is said to have been dis covered two miles on each side of. the prospectors’ claim. Death of an Old Colonist. Wellington, To-day. George Crawford, merchant, died last night from a stroke of paralysis. He was aged seventy, and had been ailing for nearly twelve months, Too Great a Hurry, At the Magistrate’s Court this morn' ing, Walker, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, and Mrs. Harding, of the Union Hotel were each fined LI for a breach of the Licensing Ordinance by selling liquor before transfer of their licenses had beep completed. The Nautilus, The German man-of-war, Nautilus, has just arrived from Melbourne. The Divorce Court. The Divorce Court op.encd this morn ing. Decrees absolute were grnatpd in the following cases Fergusson v. Fer gusson (Dunedin), Hincock v. Hincock (Dunedin), Denly v., Denly and Gilbert (Auckland), Munro v. Munro and another (Christchurch). Decrees nisi were granted in the pages of Gillfellin v. Gilfellin and Scott (Dunedin), and M'Ghee v. M'Ghee (Dunedin).

Sudden Death- Dunedin, To-day. Thomas Davis, a seaman, died suddenly at Port Chalmers of heart disease. First Wool Sale.

• The first wool sale of tho season was held to-day. 120 bales, 49 bags were catalogued. Greasy crossbred fetched Old. to llfd. ; greasy merino, 10Jd. lo lid, ; pieces, 41,d. to 7|d. ; scoured cross breds, Is. C|d, ”

Fire. D dnedin, To-day. ' A ten-roomed house at Maryhill, in the Glen, has been totally destroyed by fire. It was owned by T. Wood. T. Goodlet, the tenant, gave up possession on Friday, but had not removed the whole of his furniture. The fire was detected on Friday night but was thought to be ex tinguished by the neighbors. The pro perty was insured in the Norwich Union for L3OO, part of which was reinsured in the Transatlantic. Six Months. Smith alias Hardie received six months imprisonment for escaping from the prison gang. He was very defiant during the hearing. Yield of Gold. Tipperary’s first crushing this season yielded 364 ounces.

THE INTERNATIONAL REGATTA.

Victory of Laycock.

(By Cable). London, Nov. 20.

The protest which was entered for a foul between Trickett and Smith in one of the heats has been disallowed by the umpires. The final result was— Laycock • ... ... ... ... 1 Ross... ... ... ... ... 2 Hosmer , ... ... ... ... 3 Smith ... ... ... ... 4

Laycock the Australian oarsman has challenged Hanlan for the championship of the world.

SPORTING.

■ — ; — ■ Wellington Cup.

[by telegraph.] Wellington, to-day.

The following arc the weights for the Wellington Cup, as framed by E. Griffiths, handicapper -Le Loup, 9st 131 b ; Foul Play, Bst 131 b ; Grip, Bst 31b ; Betrayer, Bst 21b ; Natator, Bst ; Hornby, 7st 131 b ; Volunteer,; 7st 131 b ; Sinking Fund, 7st 81b; Hailstorm, 7st 51b; Piscatorious, 7st 51b; Soukar, 7st 41b ; Lara, 7st 31b; Libeller, 7st 31b; Grand Duchess, 7st 21b; Virginia Water, 7st 21b; King Quail, 7st lib ; Venus Transit, 7st; Rahdwick, 7st; Badsworth, 6st 131 b; Lady Emma, 6st 131 b ; Norseman, 6st 131 b ; The Governor, fist 111 b ; Amy, fist 91b ; Heather Bell, fist 81b; My Dream, fist 71b; On Dit, fist 71b ; Adamant, fist Gib ; Sir George, fist 51b ; Luna, fist 41b; Sylvanus, fist 21b ; Mischief, fist 11b ; Laerfes, fist ; Don, fist; Midge, fist; Marie Stuart, fist; Holderness, sst 121 b ; Satellite, sst 121 b; Loch Lomond, sst 121 b.

Dunedin Jockey Club Annual Meeting.

Dunedin, Nov. 20. The following weights were declared to day:—

Dunedin Gup. —Le Loup, 9st 91b ; Foul Play, 9st 21b; Fishhook, Ost ; Natator, SstlOlb ; Ariel, Bst 101 b ; Betrayer, Bst 71b ; Maritana, Bst 71b ; Hornby, Bst 71b ; Grip, Bst Clb; Volunteer, 7st 121 b ; Pis catorious, 7st 121 b ; Sir Modred, 7st 101 b; Grand Duchess, 7st 91b ; Longlands, 7st 91b ; Libeller, 7st 71b ; Marie Antionette, 7st 71b ; Norseman, 7st 71b ; Titania, 7st 71b; Sinking Fund, 7st 31b ; Lure, 7st 31b ; Virginia Water, 7st 31b ; On Dit, 7st 21b ; Randwick, 7st 21b ; King Quail, 7st ; Lady Emma, fist 131 b ; The Gover nor, fist 131 b; Leveller fist 131 b; Adamant, fist 101 b; Luna, ' fist 101 b ; Hilarious, fist 101 b ; Sir Garnet, fist 101 b ; Sylvanus, fist 91b ; Laertes, fist 91b; Amy, fist 81b ; Mischief, fist 81b ; Miss Domett, fist 31b : Kosciusko, fist ; Con crete, sst 71b ; Maligner, sst 71b.

Publicans’ Handicap of SOsovs.—Foul Play, Ost 71b ; Natator, Bst 121 b ; Mari tana, Bst 121 b ; Grip, Bst 91b ; Sir Mod red, Bst 41b ; Libeller, Bst 21b ; Luna, Bst ; Marie Antoinette, Bst ; Virginia Water, 7st 121 b ; Randwick, 7st 121 b ; York 7st 101 b ; Lady Emma, 7st 101 b ; The Governor, 7st 91b ; Sinking Fund, 7st 81b ; On Dit, 7st 71b ; Adamant, 7st 71b : Bogardus, 7st 71b; Hilarious, 7st 11b; Sir Garnet, 7st; Sylvanus, 7st ; Laertes, fist 121 b ; Nautilus, fist ; Van duara, sst 71b ; Lampooner, sst 7lb. J. C. Handicap of 200 sovs.—Le Loup, Ost 81b ; Foul Play, Ost 31b ; Natator, Bst 111 b ; Ariel, Bst 91b ; Maritana, Bst 81b ; Betrayer, Bst 81b ; Hornby, Bst 81b ; Grip, Bst 71b ; Volunteer, Bst ; Piscatori ous, Bst; Sir Modred, Bst; Longlands, 7st 101 b ; Marie Antoinette, 7st 81b ; Vir ginia Water, 7st 71b; Titauia, 7st 61b ; Randwick, 7st 51b ; Sinking Fund, 7at 41b ; On Dit, 7st 31b ; Lady Emma, 7st 21b ; The Governor, 7st 21b ; Leveller, 7st 21b ; Adamant 7st; Hilarious, 7st ; Luna, 7st; Sir Garnet, fist 121 b ; Syl vanus, fist 121 b ; Laertes, 6st 101 b ; Mis chief, Ost 91b ; Concrete, sst 71b ; Malig ner, 5s t 71b.

Remarkable and Valuable Discovery.

(A r ezo York Evening Post.)

It has always been easy for house wives who are troubled with rats to poison them, but the problem has been to induce them to die upon the field of honor, so to speak—to wit, the kitchen floor. They have usually preferred to retire to their inaccessible retreats in the walls as soon as they have felt the symptoms of arsenical poisoning, and the low state of sanitary science pre vailing in their - communities is such that poisoned rats are never properly buried or incinerated by their associ ates. The problem has been how to kill the rats without bringing unpleasant odors into the house. Mrs. Benedict has solved the mystery, and is en titled to the honor we give an inventor and benefactor. She was engaged, it appears, in the domestic manufacture of some plaster casts of various kinds, Complaint having been made of the fragility of these wares, Mrs. Benedict began a course of experiments with the hope of giving greater durability to' her casts. One of her devices was to mix wheaten flour with her pulverised plaster of Paris, so that the gluten of the flour might make the paste less brittle. One evening she had visitors, who rang her door-bell just as she was sifting the mixed plaster and flour for the third time by way of mixing them intimately, as the chemists say. She had already set a dish of water at hand, intending to ipake a cast at once, and vyhen the doorbell rang she hastily removed her apron, and went to wel come her guests, leaving her material upon the kitchen table. The guests stayed until late bedtime, and when they bade her adieu Mrs. Benedict Went to bed without returning to the kitchen. What happened in the nighi was this : A rat, sniffling' the odor of flour, made up the legs of the table to the top, where he was speedily joined by other foragers—his brethren. The .dish of flour and plaster was easily reached, and the rats qte freely and hastily of it, a.s it is their custom to do, It was rather a dry supper, and water being at hand, each rat turned from the savory dish of flour and plaster to slake his thirst with water. Everybody who has had to do with plaster of Paris will guess at once what had happened. The water drunk first wetted the plaster in the rats’ stomachs add then, in technical,

phrase, “set” it; that is to say, the plaster thus made into.a paste instantly grew hard in each rat’s stomach, making a cast of all its convulsions. The event proved that, with such a cast in existence it is impossible for a rat to retreat even across a kitchen. The next morning thirteen of them lay dead in a circle around the water-dish, Mrs. Benedict, like a wise woman, kept her secret and made profit of it. She undertook, for a consideration, to clear the premises of her neighbors of the pests, and succeeded. It was not long before the town was as free of this sort of vermin as if the the pied piper of Hamelin had travelled that way. Then Mrs. Benedict advertised for agents to work up the business through out the county, selling each the secret for a fair price.

An Archway Shelter Through the Straw Stack.

\_Amet ican Agt iculturist .]

With winter comes the piercing winds and the intense cold, and, unless well protected, the greatest suffering that the farm animals experience during the whole year. It is,the season when to keep the stock warm is no less a matter of economy than to keep them well fed; in fact, they are fed in a great measure to keep up the animal heat, the food serving much the same end that coal does to the furnace. This being true, it is reasonable to infer that an anjmal will require less food to maintain the proper temperature of the body were it warmed in part by other means. The inference is a true one, as thousands of experiments show—in fact, it goes without questioning that farm stock, when sheltered from the cold of winter, require considerable less food to keep in a good, thriving condition, than do those animals that are continually exposed to the weather. Shelter then has much more in its favor than simply the humane side, which alone is enough to warrant the com fortable protection of animals. There is an appeal to the pocket as well as the sympathy in the lowing of the shivering herd. All farmers, and espe cially those in the newer portions of the country, do not have stables for their cattle or snug sheds for: their sheep. They are called upon to make: the winter as comfortable as possible for their animals, with the limited means at their command. Sheds •.of potefl} with roofs of straw are extensively u&d' and with profit. Not long ago. we an archway shelter, under, or straw stack that was pensive and valuable device Tor stock protection. The “ ground plan ” consisted of two rail pens, of the ordinary sort fat the bottoms for small stacks, pladKi; near enough together so that an arch way of poles could be made between them thus ; —The lower end of each pole was set a short distance in the ground, rested near the middle on the top rail of the pen and crossed with its neighbor pole from the other pen, and was fastened to it with wire at the top and also to a rider beam. Over this structure the straw stack was built, and when finished a snug shelter of considerable size was made beneath the stack, under which the cattle gladly took refuge in stormy -weather. The structure is a permanent one, the rails and poles remaining if necessary from year to year, or. if taken down, to be rearranged again in a short time just before the threshing is done. Such an archway shelter would not be out of keeping in many a well-kept barn-yard. If the stack is a long one a double archway may be made, and each will save many steps in doing the work of the barn-vard.

Condemned Kerosene.

What becomes of all the condemned kerosene (asks the Post)! A year or two ago public attention was directed ; very forcibly to the risk attaching to the use of certain qualities of kerosene then in the market, by a fatal explosion in this city. We urged strenuously the necessity of a stringent inspection of the imported oil, and the result was that on such inspection all the oil then in the town was found to be below the legal standard of safety, so that it could not legally be sold without being distinctly marked as dangerous. Since that time the work of inspection has been energetically carried on by the In spector of Nuisances to the Wellington Corporation, and in fully three instances out of four the inspected oil is con demned. But what happens next ? That is the grim question which it interests the residents in this wooden city to have satisfactorily answered. Assuredly the condemned kerosene is not stored in the Corporation hulk, for enough has been placed under the ban during the last two years to fill a perfect fleet of hulks. Indeed, we have a strong, impression that it would form a lake of very decent size. What on earth can be done with this huge quantity of dangerous oil ? It may be asked in turn, “ What does it matter so long as it is not allowed to be sold to the public ?” That, however, is exactly the point on which we cannot help feeling just a little uneasy. 5 Are we sure that it is not sold to the public after all ? What real check is there ? We wish very much that we could feel quite certain that the condemned kerosene does not find its way into hundreds of domestic lamps just as readily as if the fiat of condemnation had not been pronounced against it. The public is deeply interested in having some distinct assurance on this head, Kerosend with a low flashing point is a much more dangerous substance than gunpowder to have in a household. It gives off inflammable vapor at a tempera ture below that of the human body —some, indeed, that has been tested “ flashed ” at a temperature of more than twenty degrees less than “ blood heat ” —rapd in that case contact with any flame may produce a disastrous ex plosion or conflagration. The existence of sqch a dapger is not, to be lightly ignored, and jt ought to clearly known whether or , not any security exists against the possibility which we have indicated. The frequent fires which haye lately occurred'in New Zealand from kerosene explosions prove incon testibly that the risk is no remote or imaginary ope. What with perils from dynamite and perils from condemned kerosene, there seems no certainty that we are not calmly reposing over a slumbering volcano, which may break forth at any moment, and bring with it death and destruction,

Preserving Potatoes.

If New Zealand cannot compete with the United States in many of its'pro ducts, there are some things in which it can and should compete. The fol lowing extract from the San Francisco Commetcial News is to the point. It tells its own tale. Why not go in for an export of preserved potatoes to England as California has done ? Your labor is quite as cheap, and you can grow equally good potatoes. Let some of your enterprising capitalists try. The machinery may be bought, I have no doubt. The Commercial News says Recently an important industry has sprung up in this State in the way of preserving potatoes for a foreign market. A machine has been invented for pressing and preserving potatoes in such a manner that they may be dried and kept for a number of years in any climate. No exidisation or fermenta tion takes place in the process, and after the potatoes go through the entire process they retain to a great extent their natural taste and original freshness. Shipments made to England during the past- year by Falkner, Bell and Co. have attracted attention, and the demand . for California preserved potatoes in that country already exceeds the supply. The first shipment to Liverpool brought the sum of 160 dol. per ton over all expense of shipment. Last year about 20 tons were shipped from San. Francisco, which brought 45 English shillings per hundredweight, or at the rate of 3dol. per sack for green potatoes. At Areata, Humboldt County, a strong company has been organised to preserve potatoes by this new process. Ventura has an apparatus in working order, and will handle a large quantity of potatoes this fall. San Francisco merchants and capitalists evince a lively interest in the enter prise, and are watching results closely. The testimony of'English merchants, is to the effectJ that. the products are superior and in active demand.

WfkE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1880.



Special Advertisements- O. Oarstens & Co. (Late- Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, . and stationery. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrocl, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* METHYEN AGENCY. MORGAN and HIBBS, General Store y-keepers, Methven, are authorised agents for the Ashburton Guardian. Subscribers will please get their papers from the agents in future. Orders en trusted to them will receive prompt attention.



Special Advertisements. NEW GROCERY BUSINESS, ANDREW YOUNG desires to inti mate to hia Mends, and the public of Ashburton generally, that he HAS OPENED A GENERAL STORE on the Wakanui Road (within a few yards of Dunn and Ray’s Foundry) where he trusts by supplying First-class Articles, at Cheapest Current Prices, to obtain a fair share of support. Note the Address— Andrew Young (Just below Dunn and Ray s Foundry), WAKANUI ROAD. In connection with the above, A. Y. wishes it to be understood that he has not laid aside his Carpenter’s tools, as of no further use, but he is still engaged in manufacturing and repairing Gates, Wheelbarrows, Drays, Hurdles, etc. General Joiner’s work and odd jobs executed in a workman-like manner, at exceedingly low rates. The advertiser doing all the work himself, will be a sufficient guarantee for all orders en trusted to him. 340 THE BEST VALUE FOB READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S) CLOTHING (AND BOYS’) MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best descrip tion. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satis faction. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarfs, Bags, Portmanteaus, Rugs, and Blankets at Wholesale Prices. THOUSANDS OF DISCERNING CUSTOMERS Testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch ; EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 910 c Manager. • NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. Professor F. Clark, HAIRDRESSER, STATIONER, AND FANCY GOODS DEALER, MONTGOMERY’S BUILDINGS, ASHBURTON, HAS JUST IMPORTED from Mel bourne a large assortment of FANCY GOODS, too numerous to specify in detail, amongst which are the follow ing : G.B.D. Pipes, in cases Cherry do. do. Also pipes of every other description Dolls, Toy Watches Rowing Boats, Trumpets Shuttlecocks and Battledores Whips, Spades, Popguns Mouth Harmonicous And all kinds of Gentlemen’s Studs West’s Patent Solitaires Also Ladies’ Hair Pads, Frizettes, &c. NOVELS— u Black Angel,” “ Star of the South,” “ Fiery Cross,” &c. Haircutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon. Agent for the Ashburton, Guardian. Note the address : MONTGOMERY’S BUILDINGS. ASHBURTON. 513*



Wanted. RAL SERY4NT. 590 ANTED—AGE Trevor ton. expectable MARRIED without idranibrapce, WANTED, a Cola’Ll for a farrp Jwas® Bl^NnvpEncreio m qod strong LAD, ANTED toJ^^JrNohe' biitfeoodAjpker about a you rGIRL, er. WANTED— A GOOD HAND with the Needle; for sewing up a few tons hams and bacon. Apply, 586 SAUCERS BROS. WANT E D SITUATION, by a, married man, as Farm Manager, or to charge of dairy, etc. Apply, A.M., Ashton Post Office. 580 WANTED TO HIRE, One or Two Good Milk COWS, in full profit, or near calving. Apply, office of this paper. WANTED to BUY swarms of BEES, Hives provided. Apply Sealy Bros. , Seedsmen, East street. 564 ANTED KNOWN, —That GEO. F. HENRY, Saunders’ Build ings, East Street, Ashburton, is the ONLY PHOTOGRAPHER in New Zealand who is supplying the Public with Re-touched PICTURES, Finished Off in the Beat and Latest Fashionable Styles, at TEN SHILLINGS per Dozen. 470 WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE' begs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 908c—286g TXT ANTED. —THE GUARDIAN tells V.V your Wants for Is. —cash. WANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. 6d. each. Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery, Ac. A visit solicited. L.. F. Andrewes, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527 WANTED KNOWN—That Visiting Cards; plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the Guardian office, opposite the Railway Station. Money. SSO kEND on approved Security, at Current Rates, in sums to suit Borrowers. 511 POYNTZ A CO. MONEY TO LEND. TRUST MONEYS— £2,000, £4OO, and £250. These sums are now ready for investment on real security, at current rates of interest. P. P. O REILLY, 899c-226g Solicitor, Tancred street. Barristers, Solicitors, &c. C. W. Ireland, jgARRISTER AND SOLICITOR, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburtqn. 393 Branson & Purnell, JgARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, EAST STREET. 394 1 1 1 WC. DAVIS, BRICKLAYER, Ac., , having commenced business for himself, in the above line, is prepared to undertake all work entrusted to him, at reasonable rates. Ranges Set. Work manship guaranteed. Note the Address — W; G. DAVIS' Ac., East street, south. All orders left at Mr. S. Hhrdley/ will receive prompt attention, ; ■ 593 TWORMS‘PRINTED Jj “■ For Sale”—can be obtained at the Guardian Office,, , , ): ~ -. , ; ■ MR, CAYGILL, of Walker street, Christchurch, is AUTHORISED to CANVASS for Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian,



Public Notices. MISS LIVINGSTONE is requested to call at the Office of this Paper. 565 ASSIGNED ESTATE OF SANDO AND - OLSEN. • A THIRD and final DIVIDEND will /V be payable in the above estate on and after November 27th, 1880. - Dividends will be payable at Messrs. B. Hale and Co.’s office, Christchurch, until December 4th, after that- date at Messrs/ Saunders Bros.’ office, Ashburton. 587 IS^ ERS ’| Challenge. THE UNDERSIGNED, will show „ } my horse, TAM O’ S BANTER, against any other travelling the Ashbur ton District as carriage stallion for the sum of TEN POUNDS. Judges to be appointed by: the Canter bury Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion. W. H. SMITH, 588 Mount Somers. [card.] T [HEODORE B. JACOBSEN AND 0. PEEZ, ARCHITECTS. Note office— HEREFORD STREET. WEST Christchurch. 571 MILK! MIL K ! MIL K ! jiyj'R. MALCOLM MILLER intends after Ist December next, to SELL MILK at 3d. PER QUART till further notice. , - 573 ALL DEBTS due to Ashburton Herald . and Guardian business must,he Paid to .Mr. S. E. Poyntz, on, behalf of the Assignees, at the Guardian, Office* East street, ; Ashburton, and his receipt alone will be a sufficient discharge.. S. SAUNDERS, For Self and Co-Assignees.; '■ Tenders. ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. TENDERS are invited for the supply MEAT for the County Hospita' Particulars on view ,at the f Off offices, r' - f i.'i ■ A. ‘ y *" Tenders to be sent itriio the Chairman on or before the 24th ihst By order, T? M ATTSIwA'RTKff K I Ashburton, Nov. 20th, 1880. 574 WAKANUI ROAD DISTRICT. mENDERS aro invited for the following -L WORKS:— No. 32.—Boundary ; Road (Rakaia).— Metalling from Side Drains, about Two Miles. No 33. —Wakanui Township Road.- Forming, full width, about 100 . ■ • ■ Chains. / .i ■ ;1 ';; i 0, 1. 1 No. 34.—Wakanui Township Road.— Metalling about 100 Chains.,, f - Plans and specifications can be seen-at the Board’s Offices. Tenders will be re ceived till 10 a. in. on THURSDAY, December 2nd, addressed to the Chair man, endorsed with number of contract, and accompanied with deposit equal to five per cent, on value of work, _ The lowest or any : tender hbt neces sarily accepted. FOOKS & SON, T 589 - ’ -District 1 TO BUILDERS. TENDERS are invited for-the EREC TION of a VILLA RESIDENCE for John Orr, Esq. : h Plans and specifications may be seen at Orr and Co.’s office, Ashburton, up to November 25th, and after that date at the Architect’s office, Christchurch, where tenders will be received on or before 2nd December. „ The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. * • J " THEODORE B. JACOBSEN AND O. PEEZ, Architect’s, Hereford street, Christqhurch. „ ’ "■ ‘ 550 i UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD, TENDERS are invited for -the RE- ■ PAIRS and MAINTENANCE, of all the Roads in this, district for a term of three years ; each ward to be tendered for separately. Tenders are also invited for. the follow ing works : , i =.- ; i■i 5 No. 91—Formation of Boundary Do main Road Crossing -from Alford ' Forest Road ; about 40 chains. Written tenders, endorsed, ate to be sent in, addressed to the Chairman, not later than noon of MONDAY, the 29th day of November. . , , . - The Clerk will be at the office every! ' Thursday of each week, from nine to J twelve o’clock a.ml, to give " the general'-’ conditions and specifications of the work. ROBT. D. PULLAR, Clerk and Surveyor to the Board. Road Board Office, Westerfieldi Oct. 27, 1880.: .408 : ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. : DOG COLLARS FOR .1881. TENDERS are invited for the Simply of 710 DOG-COLLARS, qnd* for Be-badging 841) Collars,,; now -at the '• Council Offices, Ashburton* for-1881. Particulars to be seen at the Town Clerks’ Offices, Christchurch and -Timaru \ t|ie Road Board Office, South Rakaia ; : and the Council Offices,’Ashburton; - Tenders, endorsed Tender- for Dog- Collars,’’ will be received at/ the Council Offices, Ashburton, up to 11 a.m. on I WEDNESDAY, the. 24th November. • The lowest or any tender, not necessarily-> accepted; ‘ • : - - '. .. • i -Byorder, ;:i. (>".» F. MAINWARING: . ,• .= ; r'i/iw PAirfe/jygsO Aphburion, 11th November, 1880, ; - Gazette in Bankroptcy.'. V, B, i OTICE— The iAsHßUiiToii Guaedjact /1 is. a Gazette for aiL-hotices* under’ Debtors and Creditors Acts