SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For Wellington —Rotorua, This Day, Thursday, Feb. 12. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Penguin, Saturday, Feb. 14th. For Napier, Gisbobnb, Tauranga, and Auckland —Rotorua, This Day, Feb ruary 12th. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Penguin, on Satur day, February 14 Fob Port Chalmers— Wellington, This Day, Thursday, February 12. Pas sengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Wanaka, on Saturday, Feb. 14. Fob Melbourne, via Bluff —Ringa- rooma, on Tuesday, Fob. 17. Pas sengers by 2.40 p.m. train. Fob Sydney —Rotorua, This Day, Thurs day, Feb. 12th. Fob Hobart Town Ringarooma, on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Fob Pioton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau Welllington, Tuesday, Feb. 17. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train.

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at tbe Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10. aoja.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia af 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 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 Longbcach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Scott. —At her residence, Chatmoss, on Feb. 7th, Mi’s. James Scott, of a son.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1880.

Seldom, perhaps, in the colony’s history has a harvest been looked forward to with so much anxiety as the one we are now reaping, and seldom has a year’s yield of grain swayed to such extent the fate of the colony. We were in the thick of a great commercial and financial trouble— a trouble that, like the eddying circles in a pool disturbed by the cast of a stone, reached to every shore, and made its in fluence felt in every direction. The boom of the Glasgow Bank’s crash had scarcely died away before business men in every cor ner of the globe began to gather up their purse-strings in anticipation of the demands that were to come. Men of

straw, reckless traders, hungry specula tor’s with an 03'o larger than their purses, and men of small capital, who might, ere now, but for the bad times, have been on the highroad to a well to-do if not to an affluent position, went down before the sudden pressure brought to bear upon them. Every de partment of trade in Great Britain suf fered, and there was a stillness in the great workshop of the world, such ns has certainly not been experienced within a century. The great strength <>f England’s manufactures the iron trade—was paralysed, the coal trade, as it needs must, following in sympathy ; while every other, department of industry felt the strain in a greater or less degree. The strain reached this colon}' at the very worst time it could possibly have come. We had had two had harvests in succession, the last one especially so, and our borrowed mil lions were spent to the last farthing, and more. Doubly did we in this district feel the tightness. Our land was, so to speak', but newly broken, and nearly every farmer was a beginner—we do not mean a beginner in his profession, but a beginner in this locality. All spare capital had been swallowed up in the extra expenses attending commencing business, and just when a return was expected in the shape of grain, the crops were a failure, the farmer’s hopes were blasted, and a time of anxiety followed to all, not only to the farming interest, but to every interest in the district. This was inevitable, for so closely is the agricultural interest of the district bound up with every other that upon the success of the former depends the existence of every pursuit and every branch of enterprise engaged in by us. It was no wonder then, the last seed time was a sorrowful one, and the harvest pros pects a matter of great moment, seeing so much depended upon the yield. It is satisfactory to find that the hopes of the grain growers have every promise of being fulfilled, and that throughout the colony the return will be a bountiful one. There are always “ stormy petrels ” ready to give warning of danger, and this year we have been told of what damage the wet would do, of the danger that threatened from rust, and other evils, but with all the forebodings of the petrels the average yield will be a high one, and the threatened scourges have passed harmlessly away. Where mischief has been done, and we do not deny that some parts have suffered from one cause or another, the exception ally high 3 T iold in others will compensate. Last year the grain crops covered some 571,000 acres, which was an increase over the previous year of 115,000 acres, and this year a still further increase has taken place, though we cannot give the exact figures until the agricultural statistics have been compiled. Shrewd men who give thought to these matters, estimate the land under wheat at about 300,000 acres this year, and the probable total yield at about eight and a half million bushels, which at 3s. a bushel all over, would give a return for wheat of £1,270,000. The return of all cereals grown in New Zealand last year only amounted to 6,000,000 bushels and everyone knows how fearfully short that crop was of what this one is ex pected to yield, and the price last 3 ear was discouragingly low. To the wheat crop of this year, which wo have given above as calculated at L 1,270,000 value, must be added tlxe oats and baric}' crop, aiid if expectations now held arc realised, as there is every promise they will be, at least another million sterling will be added to the New Zealand farmers’ income. With an exceedingly bad harvest last year, and low priced grain, the cereal export was valued at £875,000, so that the pros pect this year is hopeful indeed. Besides, the promise is a bright one of good prices being maintained in the Homo market, seeing the harvest in Europe was almost a failure, and America is not expected to fulfil the anticipations of her export. Eussia, one of the greatest European ex porters of grain last year, supplied L 10,000,000 worth from her granaries, and this year she is expected to have to resort to importation to supply her own home wants. All this points to high prices, and the country that reaps a largo harvest must of course profit in proportion by tbe wants of those whoso crops have failed them. There is thus reason for assum ing that ruling prices in the European markets will at least be maintained, if they do not yet go up, and with this in view farmers can reasonably hope f?r at least 4s. per bushel, and those who can affoidto choose their merchants, and ship on their own account, may realise a far higher figure.

New Telegraph Station. —A telegraph station has been opened at Dargaville, County of Hobson. Mail Notices. —The outward Suez mail will close at the Ashburton Post Office at 10 a. ru. to-day (Thursday). Mails for the United Kindom and Aus tralia, per Arawata, will close at the Bluff on the 13th inst. Libel. —The “ Timaru Herald ” is threatened with an action for libel, at the instance of Captain Norris, of the barque Glimpse, for statements made regarding the vessel’s condition. Sergeant Felton. —Our old friend Sergeant Felton arrived in Ashburton on Tuesday. The sergeant has almost com pletely recovered from his recent serious illness, and will probably resume duty about the end of the mouth. A Vacancy. —Owing to the lamented death of Mr. Peed, it has become neces sary to elect a successor for his seat in the County Council, and it is notified that the nomination for a member for the Upper Ashburton riding will take place on Fri day, the 20th inst., at noon, at the Wes terfield schoolhouse, and the poll, if necessary, on-Tuesday, March 2nd, at the same place. Three names are mentioned as probable candidates. C. Y. C.—District corps orders an nounce that Troopers James Wilkin and E. W. Millett and Scrgt. J. Stanley Bruce, having been elected lieutenant and sub lieutenants respectively, will act as such pending their examination for commis sions. Sergt. Bruce was nominated on 24th October by the Ashburton contin gent. The New Court-house. —Plans of the new Court-house for Ashburton now lie for inspection by contractors at the Ash burton Post Office, where they will be seen up to the 2nd March The plans show a very handsome building, that promises to afford at least a fair amount of accom modation. The Court room will be in the centre of the building, and will provide special accommodation for Bench, Clerk, jury, lawyers, witnesses, and the press, with the usual dock and witness box, while a space of 22ft. by 10ft. will be allowed for the general public. Rooms are also pro vided, as we stated some time ago, when we gave their dimensions, for the Judge, j ury, Magistrate, Registrar of the District Court, lawyers, clerk, bailiff, and wit nesses. The police have also a special room, adjoining which are two cells. Con tractors will be required by the general conditions to complete the work within three months from the date of the accep tance of the tender, under a penalty of LlO per week, and the “period of main tenance ” shall be for one month from and after the date of passing by the Engineer. Tenderers must deposit a cheque for LBO with their tenders, and give a bond for L2OO. Progress payments of 90 per cent for work actually done, and 50 par cent on value of materials, &c., will be made as the Engineer may approve. We regret to notice that tenders are called for a wooden building, and not as we hoped for one of brick.

Grain Buying. —Mr. 0. Percy Cox lias been appointed the local agent for Messrs. Roy so, Stead, and Co. in the purchase of, and advance of moneys on, grain for this season. Another Objection. The South Rakaia Road Board are as averse to their rate roll as all the other Boards, and notify their intention of objecting to the whole thing. The County Council’s first experiment at assuming Road Board’s work is nut gratifying in the result. Rust. —We have received from seve ral quarters most unfavorable accounts of the ravages this pest is affecting amongst the wheat crops. Some parts of the Sea field and Wakanui districts have suffered largely, and the average yield will be con siderably affected. The crop on the Edu cation Reserve, Seafield, about 1000 acres of wheat, the property of Messrs. Saunders Bros., and which several of our corres pondents have referred to us as the best in the district, has suffered to such an extent that we are informed by the pro prietors that they do not anticipate the yield will exceed 15 bushels per acre, or a reduction of fully one half on its appear ance two weeks ago. No Followers. A correspondent sends us an indignant letter. He has been accused of following a servant girl through the town on several occasions, and he denies the impeachment in strong terms, adding that things have come to a sorry pass when a man cannot take a walk without being accused of following some “fairnymph,” desirous of attaining “ wliat a certain class mistake for fa me—notoriety. ” He also asks “ Is there really a woman so conceited as to imagine that every man who walks in the same direction must necessarily be following her?” We are exceedingly sorry for our correspondent. Perhaps he is handsome and a lady killer, and like to admire a pretty face. Let us remind him of a proverb made use of ex tensively in Scotland, which we dare say he will be able to remember as a caution in the future when he gets too near a girl’s track to be safe —“ There’s always some water where the calf is drowned.” We have heard very many complaints recentlyahout the conduct of certain well educated larri kins, and we do not wonder much at “even a servant girl” being afraid of “ followers. ” Public Building Architecture.—A correspondent who had seen the new Court-house plans looked in upon us last night, and left a fierce article, from which we extract the following :—“ The archi tecture is of the usual New Zealand public buildings’ type, and I oan find no bettor term to apply to it than the 1 ‘ flat tened extinguisher style.” It has the merit of being uglier than the lonic, not so ornamental as the Corinthian, dearer than the Doric and perhaps equal to the sod hut era in point of beauty. The material of which it is to be built is— wood—notwithstanding that it was pointed out that bricks could be utilised here for such buildings at almost as cheap a rate as timber. But as the Government architects have a lot of stock plans of wooden buildings on hand, and very few brick ones, it is easier to take tracings off old plans than to make new ones, and brick is a material of which colonial Government architects seem to have an abhorrence, as new plans would have had to bo made out. I think a pro test should he forwarded on this matter. Moreover, I decidedly object to the “squat” looking appearance of the build ing. Our County Council offices are bad enough, but the abortion proposed to be built to dispense justice in, will, if a stranger wishes to find it, require the erection of a tower or flag station to en able him to discover the habitat on court days of the Bench and Bar.” A Practical Sympathiser- —At the meeting held at the Town Hall last night one of our most respected residents was absent. If not present in the flesh, he ■ was in the spirit, as the following letter which was read by the Mayor will testify : —“Feb. 11th, 1860. —To the Mayor of Ashburton. Dear Sir, —I am very sorry that I cannot attend the meeting at the Hall to night, the time is most awkward for farmers. With regard to any produce contributed by farmers, I will receive it in store and forward to destination free of charge, also, I am trying to persuade the men at each threshing machine to thresh 1000 bushels gratuitously, if farmers will contribute that amount of grain. I shall not venture an opinion whether it would be advisable to sell here or ship. But in all cases be guided by head Committee. I think if something of this kind were well organised there would be a liberal sum to send homo. Hoping your meeting will be successful — I am, Ac., Joseph Clark.” We do not wish to hold Mr. Clark’s offer up as being something extraordinary, for the reason that whenever any charitable object is being canvassed for, ho is usually one of the first who has the subscription list placed before him, with a request to “head the list,” which he never fails to do when the cause is a good 0:10. In this case we can only remark that Mr. Clark has excelled himself, and his example is one which is worth the while of other machine owners taking a note of As the late Mayor truly observed, “ cash might be scarce, but grain is plentiful,” and wo may add that there are plenty of idle Irishmen about just now who would do well to give a day’s work or its equivalent for their unfortunate fellow-countrymen. The Florence Entertainment.— The complimentary entertainment given by several vocal and dramatic amateurs in Ashburton to Mr. and Mrs. Florence came o(T on Tuesday night in the Town Hall. Wc had hoped to see a larger audience than that assembled, the hall being only about half full, but the chairs were nearly all filled, the thinness being especially remarkable in the back benches, which were almost unoccupied. After the usual instrumental piece, played by Mrs. Paige, with her customary taste, the vocal work was initiated by a, trio, “ Through the world,” in wliich the abilities of Mr. and Mrs. Florence were well displayed, but to no greater advantage certainly than were those of Mr. Branson, who also took part in it, and rendered invaluable service. Mr. Pratt followed, singing “The sexton.” Mr. Pratt has a very useful voice, but scarcely enough of it, we should say, for a song like “ The sexton ” in such a wretched hall as ours. Mr. Harrison was as happy as usual in “Nothing else to do,” and in response to an encore he gave “The bell-ringer,” Mr. Branson and Mr. Florence then delighted the audience with the lively duet, “The moon has raised her lamp,” and had to repeat it in acknowledgement of hearty compliments. ‘ ’The mountebank” afforded Mrs Florence an opportunity of pleasing the audience greatly, and when they signified their ap proval by an encore, she sang in response “ Norah O’Neil,” an effort that made her more popular than ever. Mr. Branson is always acceptable, as his very effective singing of “Twilight is darkening” proved. After a duet “Flow Gently, Dova ” had been sung by Mr. and Mrs. Florence, and a song by Mr. Jacobson, which bad to be repeated, the vocal part concluded with the prison scone from “ Maritana,” Mr. Branson being 'particularly successful in his exposition of “In Happy Moments,” and Mr. Florence very telling in “ Let me like a Soldier Full. ” The entertainment concluded with the comedietta entitled “Jack’s Delight,” in which much amuse ment was caused by the lively personifica tion of Mrs. Brush by a lady amateur, and the drolleries of “Titus” and his father. The piece, wliich was well put on, and put through without any hitch and with much spirit, kept the audience in good humor to the close. Wo must not omit to mention how much the success of the vocal part of the entertainment was owing to Mrs. Paige’s admirable aid at the piano.

The Honorarium.— Mr J. B. Bain, M.H.R. for Invercargill, has divided one half of his honorarium between the Hospital and the Benevolent Institution — L 52 10s, to each. Smuggling Tobacco. —Two men were fined L 25 each with L 3 10s. costs, at the Auckland Police Court on Tuesday, for smuggling tobacco from the City of New York mail steamer. Cambridge School. —Wo learn that this school will commence work on the first Monday in March. Prior to opening there w r ill be a public tea meeting and entertainment, due notice of which will be given. The County Council Vacancy. —Mr. Bullock has consented to stand for the seat vacated by the late Mr. Charles Reed, in the County Council for the Upper Ashburton riding. Mr. Bullock was a member of the first County Council. Pastor Ghiniquy. —Pastor Chiniquy is advertised to preach in Ashburton on Sunday-—in the morning in the Presby terian Church, and in the evening in the Wesleyan. He will also give one of his lectures in the Town Hall on the Monday following. Doubtless both churches will be crowded on Sunday, as well as the hall on Monday. Sad Case of Drowning. —A most melancholy accident happened at Waikari on Sunday last. About 10 a.ra. William Acliffo, a young man in the employ of Mr. John M'Lcan, went to have a bath in one of the pools formed by the Waikari Creek. He was accompanied by a lad of 12 or 13 years. Acliffo undressed and jumped into the water (there about 12 feet deep), and though professedly a good swimmer, after once rising to the surface of the w r ater, he, without making any attempt to swim, sank and was drowned. The lad raised an alarm which brought a party of eight or ten men to the scene, two of whom im mediately undressed and dived to try and raise the body, but though they both wrought most untiringly they were not successful, the body not being found till Mr. M‘Lean brought an iron drag, for which he had to go a mile and a half. Deceased came to the colony only six months ago, but during that time he had gained the good will of both his employer and his neighbors. “Black” Fishing.— A case of wliat poachers in the Old Country call “ black” fishing—that is, fishing during close time, has been heard at the Port Chalmers Magistrate’s Court, whore Louis F. Drew, master of the schooner Awaroa, was charged on the information of the police with killing 319 seals between Dec. 1, 1879, and Feb. 4, 1880, during the time the animals were protected by statute. The offence took place at the Campbell Islands. The evidence having been heard, defendant urged that it had not been proved that he had killed even one seal. His Worship then committed defendant to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supremo Court. Defendant stated that he had left seven men on the island who by the time this case w'as decided might be dead. There was no person but him self who know whore to look for them, and he therefore asked for bail to be allowed. Bail was fixed, himself in L2OO, and two sureties in LIOO each. A Hint to the Farmers.— “ An Old Farmer,” writing to the “ Timaru Herald, ’ says:—-“Last year I was offered by the representative of a large firm here 3s. 4d. per bushel for my wheat. I shipped it Home, and find from my account sales, recently received, that upon a produce of some 230 acres 1 have made a clear profit of over L 450 over the price offered me on the spot. I find, upon taking out a calcu lation, (hat my wheat cost mo last year about Is. Bid. per bushel to ship Home, including .all charges. Taking the freight this year at 595. (which, although very high as compared with last year, is really not exorbitant, comparing the relative value of wheat in England), the outside charges will not exceed 2s. to 2s. Id. This means that New Zealand wheat at 5Gs. to 5Ss. per quarter will leave a margin of 4s. lid. to the New Zealand' shipper, so that if the merchants mean offering 3s. Gd. to 3s. 9d. as opening prices, it means that they intend making a similar 1 ring’ to the one already started in Christchurch, and to fleece the grower by making enormous profits out of him. There is one thing I can assure the merchant of, wo are not nearly so hard-up as they imagine, and the monopolies of buying they are now creat ing will work their own cure.” Revival of Trade in England. — The “Argus” correspondent writes by the Suez mail:—We arc now in the midst of the fourth month of the revival of trade. Although there had not been wanting hopeful signs of the re-awakening of our dormant industries before that date, it was not till September that the great improve ment in the iron trade, and the decided advances in the prices of iron mannfatures took place, which have since been followed by a rise in the value of almost every article of produce, an increase of demand at the manufacturing centres, the more active employment of capital and labor throughout the country, and a buoyancy of Stock Exchange business which lias not keen witnessed for many years. Among the evidences of this gratifying improve ment in trade which at once strike us are —the magnitude of the rise of prices, the great increase in the transactions at the bankers’ clearing house, amounting in the month of November to 2-5 per cent in excess of the previous year, and an increase in the railway goods traffic, which is at the rate of 5 per cent on the leading linos on the traffic of the corresponding period of last year. The branch in which the improvement lias bean -most conspicuous, as has been before remarked, is the iron trade. There have been large indents on this country for consumers in the United States, as well as purchases on speculation and for stock, and those have been supple mented by larger orders at home in the shipbuilding trades. There have also been some increased shipments of cotton manufactures to the East, and of various manufactures to the United States ; but the evidences of revival pu these depart ments are neither so pronounced nor reliable. Another remarkable feature of the revival, lately noticed by tbe “Times,” is the great stimulus given to speculative demand on the part of merchants, retailors, and others, who have acted in the firm belief that better times are at band.

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Aigits Special.) London, Feb. 9. Sydney mutton sold to-day at 6ld. to Gd. ; beef, 4id. to sd. The beef is not going so quickly. The sa'e of Home beef and mutton averages Gid. ; Ameri can beef, the same as Australian. The Irish members only moved an amendment to the Address, proposing that the loans to landlords shall be at one per cent. They demand the same privileges for tenants and general improvement in the land laws. Owing to the continued wet of last year sheep rot is extremely prevalent, es pecially in the Midland and Western Counties. Ten thousand, chiefly ewes, are dead and dying in parts of Oxford, Warwick, Somerset, and Gloucester. It is expected that a large proportion of the lambing ewes will succumb. The state of affairs is becoming a matter of serious consideration. Tugs are bringing the mail steamer Hankow to Plymouth, her engines being disabled.

{Renter's), London, Fob. 10. The Theatre Royal, Dublin, has bees*

burnt down. Six persons were killed and several injured. Constantinople, Feb. 10. During the soldiers’ fete at Stamboul, the barracks fell, and 200 were killed, while large numbers were injured. Rome, Feb. 0. The Vatican is at present engaged in discussing certain proposals which have been submitted to his Holiness with a view to promoting a union of the English Ritualists with the -Roman Catholic Church. New York, Feb. 9. A Bill has been introduced into the State Legislature of lowa to make women eligible for election to Congress. (Age Special.) London, Feb. 9. Fighting has been renewed at Herat, between the Cabulcse troops and the Heratese. The Marquis of Salisbury is suffering from gastritis. A serious famine is raging at Cyprus, which the British authorities are alleviat ing. London, Feb. 10. Latest news from Afghanistan states that the fiercest attempts are being made to arouse fanaticism. The High Priest appeals to all true believers to massacre the British. Lord Salisbury is improving. A sculling match took place on the Tyne between Boyd and Eliiot for L2OO a-side, the former winning easily. AUSTRALIAN. {Rented s.) Melbourne, Feb. 10. Mr. Berry addressed the Geelong electors yesterday in a long speech, in which he defended the policy and actions of the Government. He sketched the future programme of the Ministry, and stated that they had resolved to abandon the nominee clause, but would retain the plebiscite and sixth clause in the next Reform Bill. A vote of confidence was carried by a large majority. A woman named M‘Mahon, while suf fering from religious mania, murdered her infant child yesterday. Sailed—Te Anau. Sydney, Feb. 11. At the Exhibition, in the class for mild ales, Joel, of Dunedin, took first prize, and Brown and Campbell, of Auckland, wore highly commended. In the pale ale class, Martin, of Invercargill, took first prize, and Pascoe, of Wellington, and Wilson, of Dunedin, were highly com mended. In strong ales, Vincent, Christ church, took first prize, the Phoenix Brewery (probably Ehrenfried) second. No awards were given for bottled ales. Adelaide, Feb. 10. Arrived—Deccan. PER OUR SPECIAL WIRE. INTERPRO VIN 01AL. Auckland, Feb. 11. The Hon. Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Fen ton have induced about 50 natives belong ing to a hapu in the King Country, lately owning allegiance to Tawhiao, to settle on four thousand acres of laud at Onowhcro, near Tukuti, thereby virtually detaching them from the King party. Tawhaio told them not to accept the Crown grant, or, if they did, to throw it into the river, but they ignored bis advice and accepted the grant and plan of the ground from Mr. Whitaker. The laud is alienable by lease or sale. It is ex pected that many more natives will follow. Captain Johnston, of the Marine De partment, Mr. Hamilton, of the Stamp Office, and Mr. Batkin, of the Treasury, are here 011 official business. It is said there is a difficulty with the accounts of one of the officials at Tauranga. The “ Waikato Times ” announces that Government have purchased land at a satisfactory figure, which it is not yet at liberty to quote. The “ Times ” Alexan dra correspondent says Rewi and Tawhiao meet on Sunday at Kopua. Crahamstown, Feb. 11. Sir George Grey, when here, received invitations from Tukikua, the great native obstructionist, to meet him, and settle the question as to the road and railway through his laud. Sir George Grey recommended him to submit it to the Government officer’s advice, and it appears Tukikua has done so, and the county road and rail way is allowed to be formed. This re moves the only obstruction in the line of the Thames-Waikato railway. Mr. Rowe is not likely' to float the new Caledonian Company, Auckland capitalists opposing the scheme. The share market is very dull. New Plymouth, Feb. 11. One of tlit crew of the steamer Waitara bad his hand caught in .the steam winch, and two fingers completely smashed.' Sir Dillon Ball and Sir Win. Fox, who are both in Hawera, have engaged Mr. Furlong’s house for three months, as a residence. Mi’. Bryce visited Kaikiki camp yester day evening, and went as far as Kaupoko uui to inspect the site for the new camp, wliich had been selected by Col. Roberts in the early part of the day. A move for ward to Kaupokouui is expected to morrow. The work is being vigorously pushed forward, and pay-day passed at the camp without a single drunk. The weather continues exceedingly hot, and the dust is something fearful. Normanby, Feb. 11. There is a rumor here that Titokowaru lias given notice to the Constabulary that they are to clear out in three days. The rumor is without the slightest foundation in fact, Palmerston North, Feb. 11. Total proceeds clear of all expenses of the concert in aid of the Irish relief fund ■are L 47, for which a cheque has been sent to the proprietors of the Wellington ‘ ‘ Post. ” Wellington, Feb. 11. His Excellency, Lady Robinson, and suite, left for the South in the steamer Hinemoa this afternoon. Thirty-two of the native contingent, A. 0., left for New Plymouth last night, to reinforce those now working on the roads. The steamer Kangaroo landed the shore end of the cable at Wakapuaka yesterday afternoon, after which she left for Wan ganui. Sydney Smith, better known as “ old Smith,” an old resident, died last night at the age of 80 years. A poll to elect two members as repre sentatives for the city on the new Harbor Board was taken on Monday, with the fol lowing result : —P. Coffey, 940 ; W. V. Jackson, 977 ; J. B. Harcourt, 781 ; E. W. Mills, 553 ; J. R. George, 331 ; J. Plimmer, 250 ; G. H. Bayliss, 155. Messrs. Coffey and Jackson were there fore returned. The shipping interest re turned Capt. Rose, of the N. Z. Shipping Co., and the Chamber of Commerce re turned Mr. J. E. Nathan, merchant. The Hutt County Council returned W. Lan caster. The settling-up for the Races took place hist night, when the follow ing ; amounts were handed over to the following owners ; —Hon. ,W. Robinson, L 351 10s. ; R. H. Vallanoe, L 194 IGs.; O. Redwood and F. Gentry, LB7 10s.; P. J. Murtagh, L7l 55.; R. M‘lvor, L7l 55.; W, Walters, L 52 55.; J. Desmond, L 47 10s.; R. Ray, L2S 10s.; A. J. Keith, L 23 10s.; A. Young, L 23 155.; total, L9SG 15s. A mooting was held on. Mo ml ay for the purpose of forming a free public library, when it was unanimously decided that a corporated company should be formed in accordance with the terms of The Public Library Acts, 1875 and 1877. The Go vernment have given LGO to provide shelving for books.

The unemployed immigrants will hold a meeting on {Saturday next, to cohsider the best moans of alleviating distress among them. They consider they were brought to the colonies under false pretences. Nelson, Feb. 11. Mr. Joseph Davis, who was on a visit to Nelson, has been committed to the Lunatic Asylum. The loss of several members of his family, who were pas sengers by the illfatcd ship Knovvslcy Had, is supposed to have preyed on his mind. Mr. Oswald Curtis has accepted a seat on the Royal Commission appointed to investigate as to the public works of the colony. Blenheim, Feb. 11. The criminal libel case against Mr. Samuel Johnston, of the Marlborough “ Express,” raised by Mr. John Gaidar, now'residing in Wanganui, has boon heard. The libel is based upon a paragraph in the Marlborough “ Express, 1 ’ which stated that Mr. Calder had been given free quarters by a grateful country for two years for experiments in illicit distillation. It came out in evidence that the paragraph was published inadvertently, and that a full apology was afterwards published The Bench ruled that a prima facie case had been made out, and committed the accused to take his trial at Blenheim. His own recognisance of L 25 was taken. Christchurch, Feb. 11. At the RM. Court this morning Michael Murphy, a noted money lender, was committed for trial for obtaining two guineas by false pretences. In paying to a client money ho was advancirg on a renewal of mortgage, he stated that he had paid H. E. Alport, land agent, the two guineas for valuing the property, and this was proved to be false. From evi dence it appeared that Murphy charged L2 for the loan of L 8 for three or four days- A constable named Corasher was fined Is., and 20s. costs, for kicking a man named Blowitt, whom he had arrested for using obscene language. Pastor Chiniquy commenced another series of three lectux-es to-night at the Odd Fellows Hall. By the express to-morrow the railway head quarters will bo removed to Dunedin. The following officers go down : —The Commissioner and his Secretary, Mr. Badham; Mr. Fife, Accountant, and staff; Mr Ollivier, Cashier; Mr. Floyd, Inspector of Telegraphs, his constructor, and a lineman. Timahu, Feb. 11. The Minister for Public Works arrived from Oamaru this evening. Ho will be waited on to-morrow b} r deputations from various public bodies, with reference to the new railway station and other matters of importance. At the R. M. Court this morning a man named Wm. Tail was charged with com mitting indecent assaults on three little girls on the beach last evening. He was remanded till Saturday. Dunedin, Fob. 11. Mw J. F. Wabson to-day received a telegram from Reef ton stating that the Welcome Quartz-mining Company’s last return is GoOozs. of gold from 345 tons of stone. Mr. Sydney James to-day received a letter from the Rev. C. M. Moysey Thomp son, Private Secretary to the Governor, stating that las Excellency and Lady Robinson will have much pleasure in ac cepting the invitation to be present at the Dunedin Jockey Club annual meeting. Otago will be strongly represented at the National Rifle Association meeting next month. The additional entry of Sergeant Webster, City Guards, has been received, and the Dunedin Naval Brigade will be represented by Petty Officer Mor rison and Sub-Lieut. Black. Mr. J. E, Hutchinson has been entered for the honorary members’ matches. The police this afternoon received infor mation that a man with his throat cut was found floating iu the bay near Vuaxhall. A small sum of money was found on him, also a note-book, which contained the name of Walter Pierce. The racehorses ■Chancellor, York, Libeller, Billingsgate, and Hippocampus arrived safely by Arawata from Wellington this morning. The Dunedin Artillery made the fine score of 048 against Christchurch. The Battery will be represented at Nelson by Lieut. Peake, Sergeant Thomson, Gunner Lees, and Sergeant Allan. Efforts are being made to secure afifthveprcsontati"e, failing which, Captain Muir, attached to the staff, will request permission to fire in the company’s match. Sergeant Webster, of the City Guards, has entered for the Rifle meeting at Nelson. INVERCARGILL, Feb. 10. A branch of the amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners has been estab lislied hero The result of the poll, re the L 13,000 loan, was as follows : —For, 404 ; against, 74. 0

THE LATEST.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. ( Reuter's Teleg tarns.) London , Feb. 9. The steamer Hankow became useless off the Lizard owing to terrific weather and sea, which caused the loss of her screw, necessitating her being towed to Ply mouth. London, Fob. 10. Diplomatic correspondence has been exchanged between the Foreign Office hero and the Executive of Teheran, the result being that England has released Persia from that danse of the existing treaty which binds the latter not to take Herat. The debate in the House of Commons on Mr. Remond’s amendment on the Ad dress, was continued, but again ad journed, owing to the persistent obstruc tion on the part of the members of the Homo Rule party. The Liberal party was opposed to the amendment, and both Lord Hartington and Air. Forster spoke strongly against it. The quantity of wheat now afloat for Great Britain is 1,730,000 quarters. Ade laide wheat, per 1901 b., ex warehouse, 595. AUSTRALIAN. (Reuter's Telegram.) Melbourne, Feb. 11. Racing sweeps have been declared illegal, and several holders have been fined nominally. Sailed—Albion. Sydney, Feb. 10. According to latest news from New Caledonia a terrific cyclone swept over the island on the 24th, causing almost in calculable damage to property, and leaving a large number of settlers in a state of destitution. The Government, however, promptly took steps to alleviate as much as possible the prevailing misery and dis tress, and voted 100,000 francs. Infor mation has been received of tins loss of 14 vessels during the cyclone. Owing to the operation of the vend sys tem, in limiting the output of coal, and the inability of steamers to procure the coal they had contracted for, several of Smith’s steamers have been laid np at Newcastle. The steamship Chimborazo has been ob liged to put back to Plymouth in conse quence of encountering unusually heavy weather. She shipped one sea, which washed six life boats overboard, drowning Mr. Boyer, a first-class passenger; and killing Mr. J. R. Jones, a second-class passenger. Messrs. J. C. Alexander, and Donald, first-class passengers, were severely injured, and also Joseph Phelps, J. T. Wrigley, and Alfred Tug well, second class.

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, Feb. 10. The City of New York arrived from San Francisco, via Honolulu, at 5.30 this morning, bringing a cai'go for New Zea land of 187 tons, and 331 bags of mails. Carlo tta Patti is a through passenger by steamer for Sydney. The following is a summary of latest English and foreign news ; Terrific gales have taken place in all parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Dur ing the week ending Dec. 31, a heavy storm of rain accompanied by lightning and snow burst over London, and did much damage. The circuit of the gale embraced Ross Castle, Edinburgh, Green ock, Yarmouth, Liverpool, and Plymouth. At the latter place a French barque was lost and eight of her crew drowned. Up to the 31st January the Thames was shrouded in a dense fog for eighteen days, which detained largo ileots of inward and outward vessels. At a railway collision at Southport, Lancashire, throe persons were killed and twenty wounded. Gas properties have recovered much of the ground which they recently lost by the Edison electric light scare. Mr. M'Macarthy, M.P. for Mallow, has resigned, because ho is resolved to have no connection with Mr. Parnell, and is disgusted at the bickerings in the Home Rule party. A number of unemployed laborers plundered bread and meat from shops and stores, and the people in the Comity of Limerick are clamoring for bread. While serving process, the police were violently resisted in Galway and Mayo, the priests at Killarney, Galway, taking the lead, and by ringing the chapel bells, oave notice of the approach of the officers. Serious collisions resulted. Americans, suspected of being Fenians in disguise, have’been arrested. It is now thought certain that Govern ment intend to proceed with the trial of Davitt, Daly, Killeen, and Brennan, for sedition. The distress in the County of Kerry has reached to a state of famine. There is a fresh movement regarding the Channel Tunnel railway, and it is thought it may he completed within the next, ten years. The Queen has sent LSO to the Duchess of Marlborough’s Irish relief fund, which has novv reached LIO,OOO. The Lord Mayor’s fund for the same purpose reached L 2,000 on Christmas Day. The ironmasters of North Staffordshire refuse to take any further orders at cur rent prices. Trade is now in a flourishing condition. Mr. Spurgeon has made an impassioned appeal to the Christian sentiment of English people, endorsing Gladstone’s position, and warns Englishmen that under such tutors as the “Times” a “ Nation of Demons” is being created. Count Schouvaloff has been designated Governor-General of Moscow. The Nihilist agitation has produced a new effect. The peasants being covertly informed that the Czar had issued a ukase directing the landed proprietors to divide their estates among the tillers of the soil, they became impatient, having supposed the order was not to he carried into effect, and rose in every direction on Count Schouvaloff. They seized the castle, sacked it, and expelled all the tenants. The i inters arc said to bo fully armed. The popular indignation in St. Peters burg at the recent attempt on the Czar’s life had altogether died out on account of the reactionary measures of the Govern ment. Russia is equiping a largo army, in the face of her peaceful professions. The to wns of Russian Poland are filled with well armed troops. The Vienna press is of opinion that a collision between Russia and England is inevitable, and they say further, that General Skobeloff recently declared at a banquet that Russia was on the eve of a national war. The Bishop of Manchester has married Miss Duncan, of Bath. The Duchess of Marlborough’s Irish Relief Fund reached L 20,000. A recent article in the “ Times ” indi cates a probability of the appointment of Sir Garnet Wolsaley as Commander-in- Chief of India, on his return from the Cape. Lord Penzance issued a fresh citation .against Mr. 31‘Connoclue, the Ritualist, who disregarded the last sentence of suspension. The prospectus of the new Gorman South Sea Trading Company is issued, and the subscription list opened. An ordinance from the Imperial Chancellor, having reference to the undertaking, is published with the prospectus, as calculated to attract shareholders. Prance intends to follow the example of Germany, and give attention t) the development of trade with distant countries. She increases the number of French consulates. i The Cologne “Gazette” says personal] relations between the German and llus-| sian Emperors are an insufficient guarantee against dangerous complications. The Pesth riots have subsided, and tranquillity is restored. A landslip has destroyed a village called Bscalla De Jura in Spain. Many perished .and many were injured and rendered homeless. The Pope declined to canonise Pius IX. immediately, but approved of an ex amination of his claim. M. Preycinot delivered the programme of the novv French Ministry, and an nounced prudent measures at home and abroad, and a decisive advance in neces ary reforms, and a reduction of taxation. He indicated an adherance to the present customs policy. The extreme Left are dissatisfied. AMERICA. Shearman’s 23,000 Army Bill passed Congress. Parnell’s reception in New York was moderate. His mission is sharply criticised . by the press. Edison’s electric light caused a groat fall in gas stocky Electric light stock is held at °a price giving Edison five million dollars. American and French leading scientists declared the lamp a complete failure, and warned the people against it. Gas stock has since recovered. The Mormons are being deprived of all political rights, and they are negotiating for a home in Mexico. Tiie Peruvian cause is considered hope less.

THE IRISH RELIEF FUND.

, PUBLIC MEETING. I The meeting which lias been so | anxiously looked for by the sympathisers I with the distressed in Ireland was held I last night, and at 8 p. in. the audience I consisted of nine persons, of whom four I were press representatives ; and by about I half-past eight the body of the hall held I 35 sympathisers, besides those on the I platform. I His Worship the Mayor occupied the I chair, and said the meeting had Jbeen J called in consequence of a requisition pre-! seated to him by several prominent! citizens, and. he regretted so few had re-1 sponded to the call. It was dishearten-1 ing to speak to so thin a house, and it was I not easy to speak on such an important! subject with so small an audience, besides, 1 the question'they had met to consider had I been well ventilated by the press. But I when a good action had to be done, too I much could not bo said in favor of the! cause that called for it. It behoved thel colonists to work hand in hand to assist! those who urgently required their help at! Home. An article had appeared in the! “ Herald ” last night which told a har-1 rowing talc of the distress in Ireland, I

which should cause ail m the district ■, to open their hearts ; and as people , in tlus colony were prosperous the should say to themselves “ Let us do what we can for the sufferers in Ireland.” Pastor Ghiniquy, a foreigner, has held the f Irishmen up as having assisted England in earning her many victories, and all would agree that they were valuable colonists, lie hoped this district would do its boat s to send help to the suffering ones. 4 Mr. Bullock said Ashburton until now had been foremost in subscribing to allevi ate distress. He hoped that on tins occasion it would not b&digckward, and aHhough there might he of money • in this country, there was never shortness of food. If fanners could not give money, they could give grain, which could be con verted into mono}'. Even if in Ireland they had good crops next year, there would still be the high rents to contend with, and farmers would therefore bo in duced to emigrate to this colony. Ho hoped that the present depression would be the cause of a large number of the Irish fanners becoming colonists. He would move—“ That the present meeting deeply sympathises with the people of Ireland in their present distress, and pledge themselves to use every effort to assist in its relief.” Mr. O’Reilly, in seconding the resolu tion, said the present distress was such as had not been known sinceiie famine of 1817. The distress prevailed so much in Ulster as in other parts ; but when Armagh and Tipperary, the richest counties in Ireland, cried out that they were starving, there could be no doubt '>f the magnitude of the suffering. The • appeal made by the Mayor of Dublin had been nobly responded to. He knew the country, and could picture to himself the people of Ireland dying for want of food. The resolution was carried unani mously. The Mayor then read a letter from Mr. Joseph Clark, regretting his unavoidable absence, and offering to receive grain and store it free of charge, and also promising his aid to secure the threshing of a thou sand bushels gratuitously, and to render any other assistance in his power. (Cheers.) Mr. John Orr said he was not ashamed to say lie was an Irishman, and he could say as a colonist the Irishmen were our friends. If wc wanted soldiers to fight, or navvies to make our railways, they were found to be the. best men for it. He would propose—“ That an Irish Relief Fund be formed in Ashburton, and any sum raised be sent to the Lord Mayor of Dublin through the Christchurch Com- mitteo as soon as possible.” Mr. Joseph Ivess seconded the motion, and said no doubt the busy season of the year had a deal to do with the small at tendance. A large sum had already been transmitted from New Zealand, and ho felt certain that Ashburton would keep up its reputation for liberality. Mr. Ivess concluded with an appeal to the meeting for assistance. Qh| His Worship considered that the portiono of the resolution referring to remitting the money collected to Christchurch was un fair to Ashburton. This County would no doubt collect a large sum, and he con sidered the people quite able to make as good arrangements as any other, and he would ask the mover to alter that part of the resolution Mr. Ivess said that as no large amount was likely to be collected, and LSO had already been forwarded, it was undesirable to alter it. The last portion of the resolution was ultimately eliminated. Mr. T. R. Hodder proposed—“ That a Committee comprising his Worship the Mayor, the Revs. Paige, Beattie, Keall, and Smith, Messrs, H. J. Weeks, M. Friedlandcr, ■ J. Orr, A. Orr, J. Ivors, 'T. Williams, C, ■ Dixon, F. P. O’Reilly, and the mover ’ ’ with power to add to their number, be formed to make arrangements for collect- n ing subscriptions, Ac. ” He had refused to subscribe previously, as he considered the matter should have been better venti lated than it had been at that time ; but ; he was of opinion now, that Ashburton’s quota to the fund would be worth men tioning. Our feelings of humanity ought i ; to be stirred up in this cause, and he I hoped the Committee would meet with success, and that quickly, earnestly and , ' heartily. -k Mr. Max. Friodlauder seconded the re- > solution, hoping all would put their i shoulders to the wheel in this matter. ’ Mr. Shearer made some remarks which, , owing to the acousHc properties of the ' hall, were at the reporters’ table. . His Worship gave the experience of a lady who had only that day returned from a visit to Ireland, and she gave a very sad account of the state of the Old Country. The resolution was carried unani mously. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and a subscription list at once opened in the room. ‘ j|;

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THUEBDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1880.



NOTICE. W* have to request a prompt settle ment of a Large number of over due and long standing accounts, otherwise legal proceedings will be taken to recover same. WEEKS & DIXON. “ Herald and Guardian ” office, Feb. 10th, 1880. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT: CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cotter 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 C).’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at ASHBURTON YARDS, on TUESDAY, February 17th, 1880. C. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton. WHEAT FBEIG-HT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE undersigned, having 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 ROYSE, STEAD, & CO., 488o* Christchurch. ENGLISH WHEAT SHIPMENTS. THE 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. Farmers placing their Wheat in our hands for shipment can rely 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, & CO., 489g* Christchurch.