COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday afternoon

Mr. Alfred Harrison reports holding an extensive sale of horses and farm imple-. . ments at liis rooms, Havelock street, to day. There was a largo attendance of buyers, and the bidding was spirited. The following prices were realised : —Horses, from LIO to L 27 ; cows, from Lo to L 8 ; foals, LI 10s. to L 10; McCormick’s reaper and hinder, L 33 ; chaflcutter and intermediate, L2l; drays, LlO and Ll 4 ; double-furrow plough, Ll2 ; single-furrow ploughs, L2 and L 4 ; Samuelson’s reaper, LG 10s.; harrows, L2 10s. A quantity of wire, posts and rails, harness, grindstone, swingletrees, saddle, plough chains, and various lots of sundries, all brought good prices.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : The outward mails for the United Kingdom via San Francisco will close at the Ashburton Post Office on Saturday next, at 9 a.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. The' next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi (for correspondence specially addressed only), will be closed at Christ church on May 6th, and will be due in London on June 26th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Thursday, 22nd April. Messrs. J. E. Buchanan and Co., at Chertsey—Horses, Sheep, Pigs, etc.; also a large area of land. Sale at 1 p. m. Messrs. Matson and Co., at the Town Hall, Ashburton—The Fairfield Estate, com prising 2,000 acres of land. Luncheon at one o’clock. Sale at two o’clock. Also, at the same place, and immediately following the above —Large area of land at Ohortscy, Dromore, and Ashbur ton. Saturday, April 24. Messrs. H. Matson & Co., at Tattersall’s, Christchurch—3o head draught un broken Colts and Fillies. Sale at 11 a.m. sharp. Wednesday, May 5. Mr. Alfred Harrison, in conjunction with E. Davies and Co’., Rakaia,at his rooms, Ashburton —Farm of 625 acres at Sea field, in the occupation of Mrs. Dannihy. Sale at 2 o’clock. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his rooms, Baring Square —10 suburban sections on the West Belt, close to the Hospital Grounds. Sale at 2 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1880.

In view of the proposed sitting of the Railway Commission in Ashburton, it would be as well, perhaps, that our public men should look up some of the railway grievances that still continue to afflict us. Not many months ago the Borough Councillors were frequently re minded by the then Mayor, Mr. Bullock, of the danger to which the residents, and especially children, were continually ex posed by the unfenced state of the rail way, and the open crossings. It was a subject which the energetic Mayor never ceased to agitate until even his zeal flagged, and his importunity was worn out by the “ hope deferred that maketh the heart sick.” Ho kept pegging away at the authorities, and always met a gracious reception ; a sweet smile met his interviews, and a polite note replied to his correspondence on the subject; but the practical answer he did and ardently wished for has never been given, and he failed to extract out of the powers that be anything more than the sweet smiles and polite notes above mentioned. Even the almost immolation of one of our most valuable Councillors, and, in their place, equally valuable horse and dray, failed to melt the official heart. . It was thought that when the mighty engine barely escaped

running over a line, gory with the blood of a] revered and invaluable citizen like Councillor St. Hill, with his steed thrown in to magnify the sacrifice, something would be done regarding the crossings. But no. Councillor St. Hill was not killed, and his brave heax-t refused even to be frightened ; so, in revenge, we sup pose, upon the undauntedness of his heart, the railway authorities, finding they could not mangle his body, nor rack his soul with fear, chose to pay him out by keep ing up a continual screech from the throat of the Yankee engine from its debouch from the bridge, to its final halt at the station. Doubtless all this noise was very annoying to the Coun cillor, but it was equally annoying to his constituents, and so, in the end, even this poor substitute for a fence—this railway scarecrow—was discontinued. The agita tors for a protected line were very persis tent and importunate for a time, believing that constant dropping wears away stones; but in the end they found that the official heart was adamantine, and impervious to the most persistent meraorandumiad. With the Railway Commission the matter may have some weight. Acryinggrievance, too, is the railway station itself. The patchwork affair was first stuck up to suit the re quirements of a small and unimportant roadside halting place. With the growth of the town the thing has been added to, and pieced out, until its original “designer would blush to have his name associated with it. It is more than high time we had a new station —one that would give more room and better accommodation ; that would afford a waiting room wider than the deck of a cod lugger, for a retreat to which ladies could re tire ; that would provide some more civilised sort of place at which tickets could be sold, and so avoid the abominable scramble when more than half a score of passengers wish to travel ; and that would leave more space between the wall and the train, so that there would be some chance of moving along the platform without being knocked about by every bui’ly man who makes energetic way to the drinking bar. Then a spurt may be given, possibly, to the Mount Somers extension line. As that railway at present exists it is virtually useless, and will only serve to bring down a few sacks of wheat from the country through which it passes ; that done, its work for the season is over, and the rails so carefully laid by John Fraser and Co. will be idle for a year. Its extension to Mount Somers will make it of at least some service, besides employing somebody on the work. The surveys, we know, aye complete, and only despatch is wanted in preparing the details and getting out the contract. With Mr. Wright upon the Commission we have a friend in court, and any real and remediable grievance we suffer under will be at once seen, if in fluence of his can do it. But he ought to have our wants placed before him, so that he may know how to act, and wo notice that his Worship the Mayor is quite alive to the advantage of our position.

Telegraphic. —A telegraph station is now open at Scfton, in the county of Ashley- Longdeach Assessment Court. —A full report of the sitting of this Court appears els 3 where.

Tea Meeting.— The Presbyterian an nual tea meeting was held on Tuesday. An extended notice appears elsewhere.

The San Francisco Mail.— The out ward mails for the United Kingdom &c., via San Francisco will close at the Ash burton post-office on Saturday next, at 9 a.m.

Mount Somers. —We understand it is contemplated by the Presbyterian com munity of Mount Somers to hold a tea meeting and entertainment next month in the Mount Somers school-room. Trespass. —Some persons have been in the habit of shooting tame pigeons and ducks upon Mr. Hay T. Smith’s land, and as the thing has become a nuisance to him he announces that persons trespassing on his land with dog and gun will be prose cuted.

Musical. Possessors of pianos and organs out of tune or that inquire re pairing in any way, will now have an opportunity of having their instruments attended to. Mr. Symons, a gentleman well known as an adept in this particular business, is now on a visit to Ashburton, and may be communicated with at the Somerset Hotel.

Correction. damage occasioned by the storm last week, we referred to a Corcoran windmill, belonging to Messrs. Jameson and Roberts, as having come to grief through the gale. We have been informed, how ever, that the temporary damage was sus tained by the oversight of a workman who had been engaged in its construction. Important Land Sale. —Messrs. Mat son and Co. will hold a sale to-day at the Town Hall of about a thousand acres of the Fairfield estate, in small blocks suit able for dairy farms and suburban resi dences. From its near position to the township, this property ought to be pro ductive of some considerable competition, being just opposite Mr. Hay T. Smiths farm and the racecourse.

St. George’s Day. The Lyttelton Times is somewhat in error over an an nouncemment made on Tuesday that, being St. George’s Day, the banks would be closed. St George’s Day, according to the “ Southern Provinces Almanac,” is on Friday nest, and on that day the banks will be closed. The Times paragraph has been written, or at least printed, too soon.

New Business. Our enterprising townsman, Mr. Thomas Quill, is about to add a useful branch to his present business in the shape of a wholesale wine and spirit store. The want of such an establish ment has long been felt, where those citizens who do not care to frequent the more public bar,, can call as at any other place of business and make their purchases. Mr. Quill, as soon tho necessity presented itself, with com mendable promptitude, entered into the necessary arrangements for the completion of the project, and announces the opening of the warehouse for Monday next.

New Temperance Hall in Tinware.— Tinwald is badly off for a public meeting place, and to remedy the evil, a company is in course of formation for the building of a hall somewhat similar to the Ashbur ton Templar Hall. The prospectus calls the proposed hall “The Tinw'ald Tem perance Hall,” but does not in any way restrict its use to pui’ely temperance meet ings, but rather courts aid in building it from all classes. The capital is proposed to be L2OO, in 10s. shares, and already half the needful sum is subscribed. A section has been secured for the site near the township, and there is every prospect that the undertaking will take shape at once.

Sack Ripping. During the grain season no small annoyance has been caused now and again by either wantonly mis chievous people, or people who were theft uously inclined, ripping the sides of the sacks of grain stacked in the open air. The loss of the grain carried off from the individual sacks operated upon is not so much the cause of complaint as the fact that a very large quantity of wheat is spilt through the rip, the sack itself “ caves in,” and the stability of the whole pile is threatened, and persons passing a pile of wheat stacks thus, so to speak, undermined, may get an avalanche of “ yield ” upon them that would necessitate the aid of the coroner. We may . state that should any delinquent of the kind we refer to be clumsy enough to be found out, he will come to grief that he will have to hide in prison,

Stamp Collectors’ Magazine. —We ai’e in receipt of the New South Wales Stamp Collectors’ Magazine, an eight page journal of information interesting solely to enthusiasts in philatelic matters. It is five months since the first number of the journal was published, and hence the second issue is the first opportunity that has been afforded for recording the deith of Sir Rowland Hill in its columns, an event which transpired last August. Stamp collectors are surely not very eager for the latest news.

(Very Pitiful Indeed. —The last number of the New Zealand Tablet com mences as follows:—“ Amidst the general breaking up of T roteatantism as a religion, of which wo discern clear signs everywhere, it is somewhat pitiful to find that frantic pretences are still being made of extend-' ing the system by scattering its ‘ mission aries’ broadcast over the world. W \nganui Lunatics. —There have been so many persons with disordered intellects sent from Wanganui to the Wellington asylum, that the Wellington Post thinks Wanganui must present a deplorably detached appearance. It also commends the suggestion "to the Colonial Treasurer that a special tax should be levied .on the Wanganui district for the conveyance and maintenance of their insane population. Officiating Ministers Under the Marriage Act. —The following names of Ministers have been gazetted as such with in the meaning of the Marriage Act : Roman Catholic Church —The Rev. Wil liam Purton. Wesleyan Methodist Society —The Revs. Andrew Caughey, John Dukes, Francis White Martin, Daniel James Murray Murray, Martin Luther Waiti. Church of Christ —The Rev. John Morrison limes. Can any Good Thing Comb out of Nazareth. — Referring to the Ballarat Juvenile Exhibition, the Post says:—A rather unexpected award is made to Miss C. C. Macfarlane, of Jackson’s Bay, in the shape of a first-class certificate for a crochet quilt. The singularity is not that the young lady in question should be pre-emineutf in the crochet art, but that she should be a resident in a place that is supposed to be the term incognita of this colony, where barbarism only is supposed to prevail. Truly, there must be hope for the Jackson’s Bay settlement yet. Odd Names. —In examples of curious Christian names (says a correspondent of Notes and Queries) there is probably no district richer than the West Riding of Yorkshire. Every out-of-the-way Scrip ture name is to be found. Levi and Moses are great favourites. Marquis, Duke, Earl, Lord and Squire are common, and children are actually baptized Little Ten der, Little Scribbler, etc., from the branch of the woolen manufacture carried on by their parents. I have met with a? boy named Washington christened General George, a girl named Togotubuline, and still more extraordinary a boy called Wonderful Counsellor (Isaiah ix., G.) Nicknames aro quite common, Tom, Ben, Bill, Jerry being conferred at baptism instead of "the full name. In some of the rougher villages I should add that sur names are still dispensed with or unknown. Tom’s Bill means Tom’s son Bill. Tom o’Bills is the same, while Tom’s Bill o’ Jack’s means that Bill is the son of Tom, the son of Jack.

Sulphur for Diphtheria. —A writer in an English magazine says: “ A few years ago, when diphtheria was raging in England, I was prevailed upon to accom pany the celebrated Dr. Field on his rounds to witness the so called wonderful cure, which he performed, while the patients of the others were dropping on all sides. The remedy, to be so rapid, must be simple. All he took with him was flour of sulphur and a quill, and with those he cured every patient without exemption. He put a teaspoonful of flour of brimstone into a wineglassful of water, and stirred it with his finger, instead of a spoon, as the sulphur does not readily amalgamate with water. When the sulphur was well mixed he gave it as a gargle, and in ten minutes the patient was out of danger. Brimstone kills every species of fungus in man, beast, and plant in a few minutes. In stead of spitting out the gargle, he recom mended the swallowing of it. In extreme cases, in which he had been called in just the nick of time, when the fungus was too nearly closing to allow the gargling, he blew the sulphur through a "quill into the throat, and, after the fungus had shrunk to allow of it, then gave the gargle. He never lost a patient from diphtheria. If a pa tient cannot gargle, take a live coal, put it on a shovel, and sprinkle a spoonful or two of flour of brimstone upon it; let the sufferer inhale the fumes, and the fungus wall die.”

Childrens Parties :—Children’s par ties are quite a feature in our modern entertainments, and a new ribbon dance has been especially invented for the juveniles. A ring is suspended from the ceiling to which eight different coloured xdbbons are fastened; eight children, boys and girls, hold each an end of one of these ribbons; when the orchestra strike up a tune the dancers go through certain evolu tions which enable them to plait the ribbons. Then a differont air is blayed by the band, and the performers go through another figure and the plaitinS is undone. The children usually take their own ribbons, and wear dresses to correspond. Flower balls are also a new kind of enter tainment; each child represents some chosen flower ; the dress is covered with the favorite blossom, and the child’s hair is crowned with it. Chinese lanterns are very much used to light up the rooms on these occasions. Some persons think these entertainments a mistake, and fancy they foster vanity and a love of dissipa tion in the infantile breast, declaring bed to be the best place for children of tender years. The late hours seem to present the worst feature of these balls, but, it must be confessed, children run some risk from the danger of overfeeding and the consumption of the indigestible food which is sometimes provided for them by their entertainers.

Harrow Escape of a Wire-Walker. — The “ Southern Argus ” (New South Wales) reports that an accident which at first was thought would be very serious occurred to the Australian wire-walker Blondin and a lad whom lie was carrying on his back on a recent date on a vacant piece of land near St. Clement’s Church of England, Goulburn. Several reports are about as to the reason, one being that a horseman most foolishly tied his horse to a support of the guy, and upon some kerosene being thrown on the fire the horse immediately rushed backwards displacing the piece of wood. Another is that the ground being so hard the timber had not been placed in the ground a sufficient depth. Upon Blondin and his companion in peril (who was as heavy as Blondin) getting a short distance along the wire, it was seen to give, and gradually to fall in towards the other support of the wire. The presence of mind displayed by Blon din was something surprising. He quietly told his campanion not to get flurried or struggle about, but hold on to him tightly, which ho did, and kept walking on the wire in its falling downward incline until within about ten feet of the ground when, with a sudden plunge, he threw himself and his burden away from under the falling guy, sustaining nothing further than a slight bruise to his ancle, and a good shaking, the lad he was carrying, re ceiving a veiy severe shake, and cutting his mouth, which bled a great deal. A Spectre. —lt is said that a Chicago man’s nightmare turned out to be the shadow of his wife’s foot on the bedroom wall, instead 'of an unearthly monster with five horps.

PRESBYTERIAN TEA MEETING.

The annual tea meeting of the Presby terian Church, in the Ashburton district, was held on Tuesday and was an unqualified success from beginning to end. “ Tea fights,” to use the language of the street corner, are to a great many steady going people the very greatest bore on earth. Not that they object to the good things provided by the ladies—a healthy appetite never quarrels with something good to eat —nor to the happy chat that usually goes hopping round the tea table, but the meeting that follows after, when the parsons are let loose upon the crowd, usually acts upon the spirits like, a wet blanket, and before one half of the prosers have finished delivery of their “sermons out of the pulpit,” and the choir has got through its programme of Root, Bliss, and Sankey, or other _ very good but scarcely holiday music, the large majority of the crowd are suffering a species of martyrdom, and eai’nestly wishing the whole thing over. The young men, whom, perhaps, the missionary de sires of the church would prefer to remain and to feel interested in church affairs, have of course left long before the meeting has been half got through, and would pro bably be found, if sought for, where more lively scenes are being enacted. For some reason or other the speakers are mostly always clergymen or amateur preachers, and as the cloth dons not very readily dissociate itself from its Sunday color, the same color shows sombrely from the soiree after meeting platform. As has been often said there is altogether too much “ preach ” at tea meetings, and in these days it would he well if it were ad ministered, sandwich like, between a fair proportion of monotony - relieving ele ments. The church has in the soiree a most powerful aid, if it would only make it attractive to all and tiresome to none. Presbyterianism has become popular since itslong prosy sermons were shortened, and their tone made more lively ; since the long, drawling notes of the old Scotch minor tunes, led by a cracked-voiced pre centor, gave place to more modern and agreeable melodies, in which the congre gation follow the lend of an instrument aided choir ; and since the metrical atro cities of the old Scotch psalms have been supplemented by a modern hymnal equal, botlx as to music and matter, to anything known to the English ear or in the English tongue. It is the raciness of the Wesleyan meetings that makes them attractive, so xvith the Methodists, and hence the crowds they ore able to collect; why not, then introduce an clement of liveliness into the meetings which are held for “ congregational festivity.” On Tuesday the Presbyterians followed this plan, and the result as we have said, was that the meeting was an unqualified suc cess. Every speaker, from the chairman along to the last, indulged in genuine bursts of humor or drollery, as a set-off to the more serious portions of his ad dress, and as a consequence the audience were just in the mood to enjoy the gay, while at the same time they appreciated, and doubtless profited by the grave. The choir, too, were happy in th ;ir selections of pieces, and beyond the

“ Grand old puritan Anthem”

as Longfellow styles the 100th Psalm, and the Doxology at parting, all the music xvas secular, thus making the meeting what it ought to he, more of a holiday outing of the church than a “ service.” The pieces sung by the choir—and sung well, by the xvay, notwithstanding the difficult charac ter of some of them —xvere, “March of the men Harlech,” “ Spring’s delights,” “ Hail to the chief,” “ Hark, the lark,” and “ Comrades in arms.” In the course of the chairman’s remarks at the opening, he stated that during the fexv months of his pastorate he had visited over 200 families, and travelled over nearly every foot of ground in the xvide district from the hills to the sea, and betxveen the Rakaia and Rangitata, which large area had for a time composed his district.

Rev. Mr. Keall, in addressing the meeting on the vocation of the church, had some difficulty with the crowd of boys in the gallery, and he hoped the reporters would have a good tale to tell of their be haviour. One reporter at least is sorry to have to relate that before the meeting was over the “ future men ” had to be igno miniously bundled out, their noise hav ing become unbearable. Corporal punish ment may be a very objectionable thing, but we are Conservative enough to believe that a good cowhide strap would be a use ful article of furniture in some dwellings. The Rev. Mr. Smith, who is always ef fective, was unusually so on Tuesday, and told a few good stories remarkably well. The Rev. Mr. Westbrooke, in the course of his remarks, chatted pleasantly about Scotchmen and their kirk, and in reference to the Scotch psalms, said their peculiarity could scarcely wipe out the following anecdote a worthy Christian, who in honor of the visit of the Bishop to his district gave out as follows :

Let us zing to the prayze an’ glawry o’ God dree vusses o’ the hunclerd an’ vourteeuth zaam, a vnrzk-n ’spechly ’dapted to the ’casion by myself. Fust Vuss. “ Why hop ye zo ye little hills, An’ what vav do ’e skip ? Is it a cas yawn proud lo zee His Grace the Lard Biship ? Zecund Vuss. Why skip yc zo ye little, little hills, And what var do ’e hop ? Is it a ’cas to prach to we Is corn’d the Lard Bishop ? Theerd Vuss. Eeze! he’se corn’d to prach to wc, Then let uz aal stick up, An’ zing a glawrious zong ov praze, An’ bless the Lard Bishup. After the Rev. Mr. Barley, of Oamaru, had shortly spoken, The Rev. Mr. Cairns, an Irish clergy man, and full of the national humor, whq has recently been placed over the Syden ham congregation, addressed the meeting.; He dealt with “ soirees” as a subject, and!, his speech sparkled throughout with fun and story. He was especially taken, he< said, with the superiority of the choir! work that evening, and while speaking of the cultivation of music he told a little tale of a knot of choristers who set about improving their abilities in a peculiar way. They wrote verses, and adapted them to the tunes they usually practised. One genius, to the tune “Martyrdom,” clinked together the following As I cam to the schule to-night, A ghost sight I did sec ; A peerywinkle on a stump. And it threw clods at me. Another genius rnede a fellow chorister the theme of his verse, and to the tune “Bedford” elaborated as follows : Satau entered into the swine, The herd for to destroy ; He left a long-nosed one behind, M’Kinlay, you’re the boy. Rather rough on M’Kinlay. Mr. Cairns kept the meeting in roars of laughter all. through the evening, and was vociferously applauded. We have not given above the best speci mens of humor that enlivened the meeting, but we have chosen the broadest, simply to show how far the speakers at a tea meeting may go with fun, and yet be able to keep the lessons of Christianity before the people, as was assuredly done on this occasion by all the speakers. The tea meeting was attended by over 200 people, and the hall at the after meet ing was crowded. The tables, which were most sumptuously furnished, were supplied with good things, and attended to by —Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Stephenson, Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Craig head, Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Rutherford, Misses Gavin and Miss Stewart, Mrs. Kidd, MissM'Laren, and Miss Kidd, Mrs. Hepburn and the Misses Hepburn, Mrs.

Houston and the Misses Houston, Mrs. Wiliamaon and Miss Williamson, the in dispensable bachelors’ table being cared for by Miss Taylor, Miss Campbell, and Miss Jameson.

The choir, whose efforts were heartily applauded, was under the couductorship of Mr. Savage, Mr. Stott playing the accompaniments. The usual votes of ti a iks concluded the ixxcefcing.

LONGBEACH ASSESSMENT COURT.

The Assessment Court for this district held its sittings for the second time this year at the Road Boax’d offices oxx Satur day the 17th April, Frank Guinness Esq., R.M., being the Judge. The Valuator Mr. G. I’. P. Leach ap peared in support of the valuation list prepared by him. The Board was repre sented by the chairman John Grigg Esq., and the clerk.

About forty ratepayers were present, for the purpose of objecting to the valua tioixs of their properties. The valuation list as prepared, showed a total acreage of 92,097 acres 34 poles axxd a rateable value of L 40,197.

Cuthbert, instructed by the Boax-d, objected to the list as a whole, on the grounds that it was not prepared as required as by the “Rating Act, 1876,” to prove which it was shown that ixo entry whatever was made in the column “If let, for what term axxd in what maxxner,” and that several of the pages of the list were not signed by the valuator. He stated that it was not because these trivial omissions were made that the Roard ob jected to the list, but that the list itself was completely wrong from beginning to end, owing ixo doubt to the fact that Mr. Leach had not visited any property in:the district with the exception of the Lowcliffe estate and perhaps one or two more, con sequently the list xvas not a true and faithful valuation, and the Board not wish ing to have to pay for such work, which xvas really useless to them as a valuation roll, took the only legal steps in their power to have it set aside. What the decision of the Court on this point xvould have been is not knoxvn, as Mr. Cuthbert further proceeded in terms of the 25th section of the “ Rating Act,” to ask that the valuator be required to produce his “Declaration as Valuator,” which according to the sth section should he made before entering on his duties, and be delivered up to the local body or their clerk. Upon being ixsked by the Court for his deelax’atxon M: - . Leach astonished everyone in the Court (xvith the exception perhaps of himself) by stating that he had never taken a declaration. The Court decided that, as the taking of the declaration xvas the fundamental part of the whole thing, there xx'as positively no legal valuation. The Boax-d at this stage, by their clerk, then handed in a list of charges, amount ing to L 9 2s. 3d. , which they had had to pay for printing and advertising in con nection xvith the txvo attempts Mr. Leach had made at producing a legal xmluation list, and asked that as Mr. Leach had already received 50 per cent, of the money agreed on as the price of the list, that he (Mr. Leach) should refund this money to the Board.

The Court granted the application, and ordered, at the nomination of the Chair man of the Board, that Mr. William Cuthbert be valuator ; that the valuation list bo prepared, and open for inspection on Tuesday, the Ist day of June ; that Tuesday, the 15th day of J une, _be the last day for giving notice of objection ; and that the next sitting of the Court to hear objections be on Monday, the 21st day of June. The Court then adjourned.

RAILWAY BY-LAWS.

When the railway by-laws were framed and became law, we presume that the efficient working of the system and the protection of life and limb of the railway servants and the travelling public were what a paternal Government had in view. There is no doubt that without a certain discipline on the lines of railway in the colony, accidents would be more frequent, and a. very disorganised state of railway traffic would ensuo. But we do not think when the railway by-laws came into existence that their penalties and punish ments, as well as the privileges associated with them, were intended to include a select few to the exclusion of all others. Anything which savours of impartiality, especially where law and good govern ment are concerned, is reprehensible in the extreme. Her do we think that in the eyes of the law the life of one man should be more valuable than the life of another. If not a great deal better, at any rate, “ one man should be as good as another.” But a very different construction was put upon the by-laws by one of the legal gentlemen in court on Tuesday morning in volunteering his advice to the Bench. Mr. Ireland argued that a constable, being in the service of Government, and on pub lic duty, was perfectly at liberty to jump off the train while the same was in motion, and be guilty of no breach of the by-laws. Under extraordinary circum stances wo can imagine such conduct being warranted, and perhaps the end might justify the means ; as, for instance, where the apprehension of a criminal depended upon such a step being taken ; but in the case in point no particular end seemed to be gained by the act, and from what we can gather, no miscarriage of justice would have eventuated had the constable awaited the arrival of the train at tho usual stop ping place. Are we to understand, from the law as laid down on Tuesday, that any officer of the Government, no matter in what capacity he is placed, so long as he could plead that ho was in the execution of his duty, is at liberty to sot at defiance the laws which everyone else must knuckle down to, or be fined severely. From such a line of argument we are led to conclude that if, in his zeal or thoughtlessness, a Government officer thinks fit to endanger his life by stepping off a train while in motion, the authorities regard his life of so much less value than that of his fellow creatures as to allow him to go unpunished for his foolhardiness. If such is the law there is every probability of the coroners of the colony having a pretty busy time of it in the future. We hardly think, how ever, that the railway by-laws will bear such an interpretation.

TRAGIC OCCURRENCE.

A terrible affair has happened at Woo sung, a few miles from Shanghai. Mr. A , 0. Owen, the second officer of the steamer Patroclus, and Dr. Yate, of the same vessel, were in a small boat, and the former was amusing himself by shooting at some birds with a revolver. The doctor was sitting just in front of him, and Mr. Owen held the weapon close to the doctor’s head. Just as he fired, the doctor turned, apparently to see what effect the shot might take. The bullet entered the doctor’s head. Mr, Owen endeavored to extract it by the help of a knife, but failing to do so, he got into a state of terrible excitement, and before the seamen in the boat could see what he was about, he fired into his own forehead. The sailors were about an hour before reaching their vessel (which was about to sail for Europe), when the captain had both the wounded men taken to the hospital at Shanghai. The doctor died the same evening, and the second officer the next day. The jury found that the doctor was accidentally killed, and that the second officer destroyed himself in a fit of temporary insanity. Dr. Yato was the son of a well-known medical practitioner at the West End of London, and the officer was also the son of a doctor. The had been great friends.

A DISPUTED LIEN.

Before hie Honor Judge Ward on Tuesday, in the Christchurch District Court, the case of Fried! ander Bros. v. Roberts was heard.

The plaintiffs, for whom Mr. Joynt appeared, sought to recover the sum of L 73 4s Id from George Roberts of Christ church, as being due on an agricultural lieu. Mr. Loughrey was for the defendant. Mr. Joynt having stated the case, show ing that the lien had been given by one Quigley, on June 13, 1879, specified also ths grounds of defence, which were that the plaintiff’s did not bond fide make an advance to Quigley, that the defendants entered into an agreement with Cooper Brothers to lease the land to them under a purchasing clause, their interest being taken up by Quigley ; that defendants had expended in harvesting the crop, and had due to them as rent from Quigley a sum exceeding amount realised by sale of crop, L3l Is 6d ; that Quigley became bank rupt, and that the Trustee did not take over the agreement within the time speci fied by the Act. Hugo Friedlander, identified the docu ment produced as a lien given for goods supplied previously. A bailiff took posses sion of the crop, and Mr. Roberts said to witness he had sold the grain to Mr Turner, but had not been paid. The grain was carted away under protest, Quigley con tinuing after his bankruptcy to occupy the land. Could not say if some of the goods were supplied before Quigley entered on possession of the land. The account com menced on June 4, 1879. Quigley gave a promissory note on demand on June 5, to pay off the old account of L9O. On a question as to the lien, His Honor said that, while the lion might be void so far as other creditors were concenred, it might be right enough between the parties, and the man, in assigning his crop, assigned the right of entry to secure it. Witness resumed—That when he went to seize the crops, Quigley was in posses sion of the land. After seizure, witness received a letter referring to a claim on the crops. Charles Branson, assistant clerk to the Bench, Ashburton, deponed that he took possession of a crop for Friedlander Bros. Quigley was living on the land, and did not produce any letter or docu ment.

J. D. Ireland deponed that under in structions he entered on Quigley’s land on March 4th last, and seized the crops. Quigley claimed the crops, saying that he had taken away a certain quantity, and would persist in the removal. Witness was shown a letter dated Mach 6th, in which Mr. Roberts authorised Quigley to send. the the crops away, and he (Mr. Roberts) would hold him harmless. Wit ness protested against the removal, fol lowed the grain to the Chortsey railway station, and complained to the station master.

In further cross-examination, Hugo Friedlander said he could not swear whether or not he gave Quigley a cheque for L 127 4s. lid. and took it back imme diately. His Honor (to witness) —It’s pretty clear why you don’t care to produce your account books, if they contain records of such transaction as that.

James Quigley, farmer, deponed, that he held from Mr. Roberts a section in Ash burton. Had dealings with Friedlander Bros, before becoming Mr. Roberts’ ten ant, for two or three years, the account generally running on. At the commence ment of the tenancy witness owed Fried lander Bros. Ll2O odd, and they proposed that he should give them a lien as security for the debt. Witness also gave them an order on the Road Board to cover the past debt. Friedlander gave witness a cheque at the time of the lien being agreed upon. Witness endorsed the cheque as told, and gave it back again. Friedlander had a writ out against witness at the time. Witness saw there was nothing for him to do but to file. Subsequently witness oc cupied the land by direction of Mr. Roberts, and whilst a bankrupt. Witness was to see to the land, and that every thing was right, Roberts telling him that he would give him the land back. Had since received payment for taking care of the place. At the time of giving the lien witness owed money to others. Mr. Joynt would fully admit that the witness was in straightened circumstances. Witness continued—Ho believed his horses and cattle had been sold under a bill of sale.

To Mr. Joynt—Mr. Friedlander had obtained judgment against witness. There was no house on the land at the time, and witness had never formally given up possession, though he had understood that on filing he had lost all claim to the land. It was about a month after his bank ruptcy that witness was told by Mr. Roberts to see to the fences, &c. Had commenced to cut, thresh, and deliver, and when the bailiff came witness went and told Mr. Roberts, who gave witness an order to go on with his work, and agreed to hold him harmless. Had re ceived things from Mr. Roberts to put upon the land, and those things were what he meant by receiving compensation for looking after the place. Had, in point of fact, gone on working the land. To Mr. Loughrey —Mr. Roberts paid the expense. Mr. Roberts deposed that he was the proprietor of the land lately occupied by Quigley. On the bankruptcy of Quigley, the trustee did not give the required notice. Witness understood that the land was really in nobody’s possession. Witness put Quigley in possession some time between Oct. 12 and 30.

To His Honor—T. B. Craig was trustee in Quigley’s estate. To Mr. Loughrey—Witness was still in the same possession of the land as in October. The agreement between witness and Cooper Bros, was now produced (document put'in). Rent was paid once or twice during its currency, but its terms had not been carried into effect. Witness paid all the expenses connected with the harvesting of the crop. Knew of the lien given by Quigley through conversa tion with Friedlander. Witness had been away for six months previous to October. To Mr. Joynt—Quigley was in a sense—a servant with wages, no other arangement having since been come to. The sum of LIBO still remained in Mr. Turner’s hands.

T. B. Craig deposed that he accepted the trusteeship in Quigley’s estate, against which Fried lander had a claim (proof put in). There was no dividend. Witness explained why as trustee he did not undertake the risk of harvesting the crop, there being amongst other items liens to Messrs. Friedlander Bros, and Saunders, and rent due to Roberts.

Counsel having addressed the Court, His Honor reserved judgment.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Tuesday, Arrau 20. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.)

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. John Connor was charged with being drunk and disorderly, using obscene lan guage, and violently resisting the arresting constable. Constable Beaumont stated he arrested the prisoner on Saturday night near the Post-office, in the vicinity of which he had been creating a disturbance. The pri soner used most offensive language, and his conduct was so violent that assistance had to be procured to handcuff him. Connor said that he considered he was too drunk on the occasion to have caused all the annoyance detailed by the con stable. For being drunk and disorderly a fine of 40s. was inflicted, or 48 hours’ imprisonment; for using obscene lan guage a like penalty was inflicted ; and for resisting the constable, prisoner was committed for one month with hard labor. John Kirk, “believed he was toight,” and was strengthened in that conviction on having to contribute 10s. to the colonial exchequer, or resign his liberty for the usual 48 hours. BREACH OF THE RAILWAY BY-LAWS. Constable Rouse was charged with an offence against the railway by-laws, inas much as he quitted a railway carriage while the same was in motion. William Bachelor, railway guard, gave evidence to the effect that the constable had jumped off the train near Dunsandel, while the same was going at the rate of about twelve miles an hour. Another gentleman had jumped off the train at the same time, but the railway authorities had laid no information against the latter party. * Constable Rouse, in defence, said he thought the train was nearing Selwyn in stead of Dunsandel, and as he had duties to perform there, and was not certain whether the train would stop there or not, he had jumped off. The party who had got off the train at the same time had complained to Mr. Back that he (the witness) had induced him to do so, but such was not the case. Mr. Ireland, speaking as an amicus curica submitted the constable being an officer of the Government and on public duty, was at perfect liberty to jump off the train at any time when the necessity arose in the same way as a guard or other railway officer did. His Worship said he could not under stand the action of the railway authorities in not proceeding against the other culprit who had jumped off the train at the same time as the constable, but as the latter admitted the offence, he would merely inflict the nominal fine of Is. CIVIL CASES. Mr. Purnell drew the attention of the Court to the great inconvenience oc casioned to himself and clients by the absence of the officers of the Court. He did not blame the officials themselves, but certainly thought some better arrange ments should be made for the proper transaction of the business of the Court. His Worship said the arrangemenfs were made by Government, and no matter how anxious he might be to get through the business, he was unable to do so, in consequence of the clerk and bailiff being absent on other duties. Mr. Purnell drew attention to one case in which both plaintiff and defendant were present, and as the parties had come from a long distance, he requested his Worship to proceed with the case. On his Wor ship observing that there seemed nothing to interfere with the particular case being entered into, it was at once proceeded with. Jenkins and another v. Cameron.— Claim L4B for wages. Mr. Purnell for plaintiffs ; Mr. O’Reilly for defendant. In this case the plaintiffs sued for work done at 7s. per day, but the defendant ob jected to the amount, ai’guing that the work had been agreed to be done by con tract. A question of arbitration had been entered upon, but ithad come to no satisfac tory conclusion, and hence the action. His Worship gave judgment for the amount claimed and costs, amounting in all to L 54 10s.

LADIES OF RANK AND THE PRUSSIAN HEADSMAN.

The “ Kleine Journal,” a daily paper recently started in Berlin by the Prussian railway king, Dr. Strousberg, has published an account of an interview recently granted to the writer by Krantz, the state executioner, who beheaded Hoedel last summer. While “ Monsieur de Berlin ” was chatting pleasantly with his visitor about the decapitation of the woul-dbe regicide—Krantz’s first perform ance as a headsman— a knock w r as heard at the door, and a footman in splendid livery entered the room with the request that the Scharfrichter would be pleased to speak with him for a moment in the passage. Krantz went out with the lackey, and after a brief interchange of sentences in an undertone, was heard to say aloud. “ Tell her excellency, the lady countess, that I am very sorry, but I cannot, dare not do it.” Interrogated upon his return by the visitor with respect to the mission of the mysterious man-ser vant, he replied with a smile, “ Oh! it was only a request from one of my * sympa thisers ’ such as reach me several times a week. You may often see the handsomest equipages in Berlin standing at the corner of the Mulock-Strasse. They bring me lady visitors, young and old, pretty and ugly. Yes, yes, many ladies of the highest aristocracy have called upon me and insisted upon seeing my wife when I was not at home. ” “ And what did the ladies want?” “ The merest rubbish. Hair cuttings of criminals, for instance—a blood-stained pocket handkerchief, a morsel of bread from the headsman’s breakfast table, _ for one of my gloves.” Krantz himself is a fine young fellow, decorated with the Iron Cross of valour in the field. Like most subordinate functionaries in Prussia, he was a non-commissioned officer in the army, and received his present appoint ment upon his discharge, as a reward for for faithful and gallant service. He is married, and the proud father of a flue little boy, the heir apparent to his impor tant office. With a touch of quaint pride he introduced this lad to his visitor’s notice as ‘ ‘ his successor, please God ! ” and observed that though he passed an uneasy night before the morning fixed for Hoedel’s execution, when he looked into his “ client’s ” impudent, sneering face, he “thanked God for making his business so easy for him ! ”

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Reuter’s Telegrams.) London, April 19. Consols, 98|. Adelaide wheat, 565.; New Zealand wheat, 4Gs., c.Lf., 525. ex Sydney, copra, LlB. .j jOm The Right Hon. Richard Cross, late' Secretary of State for the Homo Depart ment, has been decorated with the Grand Cross of the Bath. Nothing definite has yet transpired re garding the personnel of the Cabinet which is believed to be in course of formation.

No official statement has yet been made in conflrmatiau of reports that Earl Beaconsfield and his colleagues had tendered their resignation, and that the same had been accepted by her Majesty. Pams, AprilTß. M. Freycinet, President of the Council of Ministers, has issued a circular indi cating their foreign policy. The Ministry are undesirous of changing their policy, but will hasten the strict execution of the Treaty (of Berlin 1), and the peaceful settlement of all difficulties.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Renter's Telegi ams,) Sydney, April 20. The Union Company’s steamer Ara wata arrived from New Zealand yester day. ■ ■ A delegate holding 1000 Melbourne proxies has arrived hero to oppose the abolition of proxy voting, which will be proposed at the Mutual Provident Society’s meeting to-morrow. The Newcastle masters offer 3s 6d for hewing, jand when coal is at 10s a ton, a rise or fall of 2d or 3d, in the shilling, according to the selling price. The miners’ lodges consent to consider the offer, but it is unlikely will agree to accept it. The International Exhibition, which has been open for seven mouths, was formally closed to-day by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, in accordance with the programme which was issued, and in the presence of a large number of people. The Executive Commissioners’ address to his Excellency, which was read at the closing ceremony, stated that the exhibits had numbered 14,000, to which 7070 awards had been given, including 2753, first class and 2082 second class. The admissions during the seven months had reached a total of 1,022,000. The re ceipts had been under L 50,000, but it was hoped that the sum. would pay working expenses. Melbourne, April 20. Much speculation continues regarding the appointment to the Speakership of the Legislative Assembly. Nothing certain as yet is known on the subject. Diphtheria continues in a severe form at Hamilton, and the same disease is spread ing in the township of Avenel. Sugars continue strong, and a brisk inquiry is expected. Two thousand pockets which were advertised for sale have been withdrawn. The Directors of the Frozen Moat Ex portation Company waited upon the Com missioner of Customs, urging upon him the abolition of the Stock Tax, declaring that it would be quite impossible other wise to establish the industry. The Com missioner said he could not hope at present to act in compliance with their request. Melbourne, April 21. _ At a Cabinet meeting held yesterday, it was resolved to -support. Sir M'Mahon for the speakership. is also a candidate. Brisbane, April 20. It is understood that the Government have received an offer from an English company to lay a cable from Ceylon to Point Parker, in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 20. At the Supreme Court to-day, the charge of embezzlement against J. 0. Young of LSO belonging to the' Govern ment broke down, owing to two Maori witnesses getting into a fog over some accounts that were placed before them, and each contradictidg the other. The Crown Prosecutor said that after the evi dence of these witnesses he could not see how the jury could convict. His Honor remarked that the evidence was not such as they could convict a man upon, and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The prisoner was admitted to bail of LSOO to appear to-morrow to answer another indictment.

Auckland, April 21.

Coal deposits have been discovered at Mahurangi. Messrs. Whitaker and Palmer are endeavoring to induce the settlers owning the land to join, and have the de posits worked by a strong Joint Stock Company, paying a royalty to owners of land in which the seams may be worked. A new training college for. junior teachers, has just been completed in Wel lesley street, at a cost of L 3,890. A fire at Coromandel destroyed Leon’s Hotel. Nothing was- saved., It is sup posed the fire was accidental. Young’s case has been adjourned until to-morrow, owing to the arrival of im portant documents from Tauranga. The Hon. Mr. Oliver returned here from the Thames early this morning. He proceeds south by the Penguin on Friday. Stealing lead from the roofs of houses is prevalent. Napier, April 20. Mr. R. D. Maney, who contested the last election for Napier, has filed his schedule, with liabilities amounting to L 22,021, and assets of L 20,420. L 17,400 are secured by mortgage. His creditors at their meeting resolved to withdraw the bankruptcy', and granted Mr. Maney 12 months to collect debts owing to hirii. Revival services of a sensational charac ter are being conducted by the Rey. Mr. Pym, but they are not very successful. Napier, April 21. At the Harbor Board meeting yester day, the following resolutions were passed That the arrangements made by the pilot for taking off the San Fran cisco mails to the Rotorua on the 24th ultimo were faulty, and showed want of forethought and energy. In future, the Postmaster, if an emergency arises for using the lifeboats, should communicate with the Chairman or Secretary of the Harbor Board.”

Thres children, of ten, seven, and five years, were brought before the B.M. this morning, charged with being neglected children. The'father of the children is an old offender, the mother died while the father was in gaol, and the children have been kept by the nuns ever since. They were ordered to be sent to the kel son Industrial School. .

Wellington, April 20. A sharp shock of earthpuake was felt here at 12.42 this morning. The direction was north to south.

At the Supreme Court this morning the case of Lockie and others v. McDonald and others, the original directors .of the Wel lington Tramway Company was com menced. The action is io set aside the sale of the undertaking by the Company on the ground that the provisional doc tors of the Company had become ally interested in the undertaking vyith the original promoters. The case is likely to occupy two or three days. v Wellington, April 21.

An information has been laid against a butcher named Deveraux for setting fire to his house on Feb. 4th. The ca»e will be heard on Friday. Messrs. Bell and Fox, Native Commis sioners, are here, and will remain for a few days, but it is not known whether it is intended to take any evidence.

the ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1880.



MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONSEPvS, &0., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, April 27, 1880. C. PERCY COX, 27g* Agent, Ashburton. NOTICE TO FARMERS. rjpHE undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. Bsoo* T HE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY’S GARMENTS FOR MEN’S AND BOYS’ WEAR. Fit Better Look Better Wear Better Are Better Cut Are Better Made Are Better Shrunk, And therefore give more satisfaction than any other goods offered to the public. Testified to by their Thousands of Cus tomers who purchase constantly at the NSW ZEALAND .CLOTHING FAC TORY’S BRANCHES, Now Established in Dunedin Invee.cae.gili, OAMARU Timaru Ashburton Lyttelton Christchurch Wellington Nelson Wanganui New Plymouth Napier Thames Auckland



A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. N.B.— Our New Winter Manufactures are now road}'. ‘•'TRY THE N.Z. OVERCOAT.” SHIRTS, HATS, and HOSIERY, of every description at WHOLESALE Prices. ASHBURTON BRANCH— East Street. Wm. SPARROW, Manager.



Prosaic. —“ What’s fame?” yelled an excited orator, “ what’s fame ? that ghost of ambition ! What’s honor 1” And a weak-minded man in the crowd said he supposed she had clothes on her, as any fool ought to know. The Ancient Craft.— -In the. founda tion of the obelisk now being removed from Egypt to New York Masonic emblems were discovered. It is said that these relics show that Masonry originated with the building of the pyramids, and the discovery may furnish some clue as to the mystery of the structures themselves. An Affectionate Wife. —Mrs. W. E. Gladstone never once left the side of her distinguished husband all through the Scotch campaign, and, being near him, she never takes her eyes oil' him. She wraps him up when ho leaves the room, places a chair for him when he enters, and is as careful of him, in short, as if he were hev only son still in petticoats.



LOST HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. The other clay, over at Alameda baths, a timid and retiring-looking man waited until the superintendent was disengaged, and then said to him : “ I do hate to give any one trouble, but have you a long stick or pole of any kind you could lend me ?” “Ho, sir ; I told you so teu_ minutes ago,” snapped the overdrived official. “ So you did,” replied the man ; “but I thought I’d just ask once more. I guess, now, I’ve done my duty in the matter. Don’t you think so ?” “What matter? What on earth are you talking about ?” “Why you see, my mother-in-law dived off down there at the deep end about half an hour ago, and as she hasn’t come up yet I thought I’d like to tell my wife that I had sorter jabbed round on the bottom for her awhile anyway, but if I can’t, why, I suppose I can’t ; that all. ” And pensively writing her address on a tag to be tied to tho old lady when she came up, the conscientious man treated tho pro prietor to beer, and then walked thought fully away.—American Paper,