SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, To-day. Arrived—Roto mahana, from Wellington.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstresm, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. .... For' Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a. m. For Ashton, Waterton, and Longheach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

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

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, OctobbrSO. Alfred Harrison, Sciopticon Lantern and Set of Slides. Monday, November 1. Alfred Harrison, at Mount Somers —Sale of Bankrupt Stock. Eleven o’clock. Tuesday, November 2. T.- Bullock, on the homestead of Mr. George Lea Farm, House, Farm Stock, Furniture, &c. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-morbow, Tuesday, October 26. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hall, at 8 sharp. Saturday’, October 30, Meeting at Railway Hotel, Winslow, re erection of saleyards, at 7 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]

The Ashburton Guardian, MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1880. Vandalism.

We desire to call the attention of the police to a heinous practice that now obtains to an alarming extent in the Ashburton Domain. The introduction of a water supply to the Borough was recently made the occasion of a day of general rejoicing, and the township put on its gala dress in honor of the event. The conventional flow of local oratory heralded the first official flow of water, and the town figuratively shook hands with itself in hearty congratulation. In the course of his remarks, his Worship the Mayor made a graceful reference to the willows that had been planted along the course of the stream ; pictur ing the scene they would present when, a few years hence, they will have grown, in their rapid willow growth, to trees of some magnitude, trailing their boughs in the stream. When that picture has been transferred from imagination to reality, the Domain will be an airing ground of surpassing beauty; but there are some things that stand very much in the way of a speedy realisation of that beautiful picture, and one of these obstacles is the heinous practice to which we wish to call attention. Com plaints have already been made, a dozen times,’ against the practice of throwing stones into the reservoir. This practice has not diminished in the least, but is as rampant as ever amongst the boys. Complaints are now made, with equal reason, against men and lads who go, especially on Sundays, to the Domain stream and swim their dogs. With the dog-swimming there need not be any particular fault found but for its attendant evils, and one of these is that the louts who own the animals have no respect whatever for the young willows, but ruthlessly break off the twigs and throw them into the water for the dogs to swim after. This “ sport ” may be very interesting to the people who go in for it; but it is a costly one to the Borough, inasmuch as it is only time that is required for the willows to cover the banks of the stream, and every tree destroyed in this way repre sents a season’s growth of a willow lost. It may be a very important thing to have retrievers of the East street breed, and of “long” pedigree, trained to the water; but the general benefit to the

community is not an equivalent for the loss of the trees that are destroyed in perfecting the training, and we wish the trainers to look at the question in this light. We know Ser geant Felton takes our view of the matter, and we hope that one of the first duties; the new Resident Magis trate will have to perform will be to in doctrinate dog trainers with the .idea that the Domain trees are more valu able to the citizens than are the swim ming lessons taught to Ashburton mon grels by Ashburton idlers. A wag in sinuates that swimming lessons are less the object than to get rid of fleas ! Well, that may be. But even to achieve such a great result as the removal of fleas, the destruction of our public plantation is too great a sacrifice, and the water was not brought through the Domain with the object of interfering with the druggists’ trade in vermin de stroyer. We hope our active police will be still more on the alert, and turn their attention specially to the protec tion of the Domain. We feel assured that a few stiff examples made will stop the vandalism that is now being in dulged in.

The Mount Somers Railway-Work for the Unemployed.

The following letters just received by his Worship the Mayor (and to whom we are indebted for copies), contain in formation that will be gratifying both to the unemployed and to the residents in the county, inasmuch as the forma tion of the Mount Somers railway, even if only a short length, brings the line one step nearer completion, while the contract mentioned will find work for a certain number of men quite near to the township ;

His Worship the Mayor. Windermere, 23rd October, 1880.— Sir, —The enclosed letter, 4868, in reply to the petition of the unemployed is forwarded for your information, and will, I hope, be deemed satisfactory.—Yours, &c., Edward G. Wright.

E. G. Wright, Esq., M.H.R. Public Works Office, Wellington, 19th October, 1880.—Sir,— I am directed by the Minister for Public Works to acknow ledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September enclosing a petition from certain of the unemployed, and in reply to state that the policy of the Government is to reduce the number of men directly employed by it at reduced wages as much as possible, and with this view they are anxious to avoid multiplying centres at which such employment is given. Under these circumstances the Minister has been unable to comply with the prayer of the petition, but in order to meet the case, or at any rate partially so, directions were yesterday issued to the Engineer in Charge, Middle Island, to prepare for contract, and call for tenders, a short length of formation on the Mount Somers line.—l have, &c., John Knowles, Under Secretary for Public Works.

The Borough Subsidies.

Through the kindness of his Wor ship the Mayor, we are able to lay before our Borough readers the very flattering information that all hope of obtaining the amount of £ for £ subsidy supposed to have been lost beyond recovery is not yet gone. The Mayor has busily agitated the subject with Government, and aided by Mr. E. G. Wright, the mem ber for the district, has succeeded in obtaining what amounts almost to a payment of the money. The Govern ment, as will be seen from the follow ing letter, recognised the special claims of Ashburton, and though unable to pay under the Financial Arrangements Act, have placed the money under the heading of “ Unauthorised Expendi ture ” to be submitted to Parliament for approval, but meanwhile the subsidy will be paid. - The Mayor deserves great credit for his perseverance in urging the Borough’s claim with Go vernment, as does also Mr. Wright for the aid he has given in the matter. His Worship the Mayor, Ashburton. Treasury, Wellington, 20th Oct., 18S0. —Sir, I have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Treasurer to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th ult., set ting forth the circumstances which pre vented the Council of the Borough of Ashburton, constituted in June, 1878, from levying a rate in time to qualify the Council for receiving subsidy for the year 1879-80, and requesting that such sub sidy may be paid in respect of the produce of the first rate levied by the Council, but which was not collected until after March, 1879.

In reply, lam to inform you that there is no authority under the Financial Ar rangements Acf a for the payment of the subsidy asked for, but that the Govern ment recognising the claim of the Borough to consideration under the circumstances, is prepared, as in previous cases of a simi lar kind, to pay subsidy for the year in question, at the rate of pound for pound in respect of all general rates up to one shilling in the pound collected by the Council during the period from Ist April to 31st October, 1879, the amount to bo charged as “ unauthorised expenditure ” to be afterwards submitted to Parliament. The enclosed form, to show the rates col lected during the above-named period, should be filled up and returned to the Treasury at your early convenience.—l am, &c., James, Gavin, Secretary to the Treasury.

Work. —ln this issue the Wakanui Road Surveyors advertise several works to let by tender. “Josephine.” —We would remind the play-goers of the Dramatic Club’s per formance to-morrow of “ Josephine ” and “ The Railway Belle. ” Winslow. — A. meeting of Winslow residents is to be held at the Winslow Railway Hotel, on Saturday next, at seven o’clock, to consider the advisability of erecting stockyards and holding periodical sales in that locality. Reductions. —lt is stated on good authority that the services of between forty and fifty salaried officers of the Public Works Department have been dis pensed with during the last three months. This list does not include any of the “ wages” class, but wholly refers to olfi [ cers in the professional and clerical branches of the department. Education Reserve to Let. Tenders are invited for the leasing for fourteen years, reserve No. 2012, near Coldstream. It contains 1,500 acres, and may be ten dered for in one block, or in three of 500 acres each. Conditions of lease may be obtained from Mr. H. H. Pitman, Steward of Education Reserves, Christchurch, and tenders will be received up to November 22nd. Inquest. necessary to hold an inquest on the body of the late Mr. John McLauchlin, 'who died last week at Tinwald, from the result of a wound he accidentally inflicted on himself while chopping a black birch fence post. Mr. Guinness, R.M. will conduct the inquest at Scott’s Hotel, Tinwald, to morrow, at three o’clock, Dr. Trevor, the regular coroner, being probably required to give evidence.

Sheep Shearing.— Shearing is adver tised to commence at the Hon. W. S. Peters’ Anama Station on the Ist of November.

Another Steamer Direct. —Messrs. Money, Wigram’s fine steamer Northum berland, was to have left London for Wel lington direct on the 21st of : October. It is believed she will load up at Wellington for her homeward bound voyage.

New Zealand Oats. —A letter from a gentleman Well known in Dunedin, now on a visit to England, states : “ I saw some New Zealand oats in the Mark Lane Corn Exchange, London, the other day ; there was nothing at all to compare with them from any other part of the world. They were sold at a very high figure. ”

Colonial Railways. —At the end of last year, thei’e were 736 miles of railway open in New South Wales, 1,125 in Vic toaia, 559 in South Australia, 503 in Queensland, 172-i- in Tasmania, 72 in Western Australia, 1,171 in New Zealand. The total number of miles open Austra lasia was 4,335 A. Besides this there were 937 j miles in course of construction.

“ A Relic of Bygone Days Was He.” —The Launceston Examiner relates the death of a very old Tasmanian colonist, Lieutenant C. B. Hardwick, aged 92.. Born in Lincolnshire in 1788, he joined the warship H.M.s. Fury, and soon rose to be a lieutenant, and in the wars with the French in 1813 took part in an engag ment with a French frigate. In 1816 ho landed in Van Diemen’s Land, coming thence from Sydney. Inhis lifetime he had owned some of thebest racing blood in Tas mania. He leaves, a widow and no less than 70 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the figures being 14, 40, and 16 respectively. The Confirmation. — “ Asmodeus,” in the Neto Zealand Mail, says :—ln the same village, a few years later—l do not think the same lad was the hero this time —a confirmation was held. One of the, candidates displayed great obtuseness in answering the questions put to him, which caused the bishop, who was anxious to know what education the youiig had re ceived, to ask him “ Who brought you up?” And the young man answered and said, “ Nobody brought me up, sir. I walked up across the fields, for that was the nighest cut.” The bishop was ob served to press his lips firmly, and another candidate half swallowed a handkerchief he put in his mouth to dam back a great head of laughter that was about to flow.

Charitable Aid in Wellington.— The relieving officer has prepared a return showing the number of men with families at present receiving charitable aid. There are 23 names of such men on the books. Of these sixteen are described as laborers, two are carpenters, and the remainder include a painter, a brickmaker, a fisher man, a pi’inter, and a cook. One of the “ men with families ” is a youth with a mother, a brother and a sister to support; the others have wives and children. The aggregate number of children amounts to 70. Regarding the men themselves, the relieving officer reported that only half a-dozen were both able and willing to work. Others were described as “ inclined to be lazy,” “very unwilling,” or “an Dalian, but willing to work,” while an other was disposed of by the curt remark, “ an Italian.”

Waterton Cricket Club. —A general meeting of members of the above club was held in O’Shannessy’s hotel on Friday evening, 22nd inst. In the absence of the President, Mr. Hudson, Vice-Presi dent, was voted to the chair. Seven new members were proposed. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follo'.vs : —President, Mr. Norman Thompson ; Captain,’ Mr. Charles Shutt : Custodian, Mr. Wm. Moses ; Treasurer, Mr. H. Hudson ; Secretary, Mr. J. Clothier. The club has hitherto met for practice on some vacant sections in the township. This’season Mr. Norrish has generously placed his paddock at the disposal of the club, and with a little attention to the ground a good pitch may be selected. The subscription was fixed at ss. for the ensuing season. It was resolved to meet for practice on Tuesday and Friday in each week. A match was arranged to be played next Friday, married v. single. A considerable amount of routine business was disposed of, and the meeting ter minated.

The Beginning of Trouble. —The infant colony of Fiji is about to ti’y the experiment of a Public Works policy, maintained by borrowed capita). She is not blessed with a Julius Vogel, with a genius for creating wealth by the stroke of a magician’s hand (says the Auckland Star), but borrowing conies so naturally to all young colonies, and is withal so easy and pleasant, that she needs no tutor. The proposal is to raise £150,000, to be spent on various objects of “a re munerative character.” The liabilities of the old government are to be paid off, and £25,000 to be spent on roads, quays, drainage, water supply, and other public works at Suva, the new capital. An equal amount is to be appropriated for immigration. A further sum of £3,500 is to be expended towards the purchase of a yacht for the High Commissioner, which has aroused the ire of the Times.

CumOus Spectacle. : —The spectacle of the sun shining at midnight, attracts many foreigners in Sweedish Lapland during the month of June. For six weeks there is scarcely any night in the north of Sweden; the sun never sets, and the soil, constantly heated, produces in a month and a half barley and other crops. At that time of the year the Laplanders pen up their reindeer and move their huts towards the cultivated fields. Being very hospitable, they greet with joy the arrival of tourists, who generally meet at Mount Gellawarej 140 kilometres from Lulea. From that hill, which is 580 metres high, the beautiful spectacle of the “ midnight ” sun can bo admired in better conditions than from any other place. June 24th is the day selected for the ascension ; it is the longest day in the year, the sun being twenty-two hours above the horizon. This year June 24th was not favored by fine weather, and, owing to a cloudy sky, the sun was not visible at midnight; but the following day travellers wore well re waxxled for their trouble, the sun shining brightly at midnight. An Automaton Man. —After a year of patient labor a very ingenius automaton has just been completed by Mr Hornburg, of 535, George-street (says the Sydney Echo). Its speciality is that it walks — walks in the same style and with much the same motion as a human being does. The place occupied by lungs, heart, and other indispensable organs in the human frame are represented in Frankenstein— Mr Hornburg’s creation—by machinery, and the rattling and gasping sounds which emanate from him would be anything but reassuring if they followed the exertion of gentle walking when undertaken by an ordinary person. Frankenstein is about five feet six inches high; and his. wooden head has been carved and painted into the shadow resemblance of a well-known poli tician. He is well dressed, and as he stands at rest has a vacuity of gaze and a general listlessness of demeanor which are triumphs of gentlemanly impassiveness. His motive power is steam, supplied to him by means of a horizontal tube, on which one hand rests. This tube is con nected at one end with a tall upright exhaust pipe, into which the steam of a little engine close by passes. As the automaton man moves, an eccentric in the hip revolves, and lever action bends the knee, raises the toes from the ground, and throws the foot forward. Then the foot drops, and the other one repeats the action, the imitation of walking being very good. ■

Longevity. Amongst the deaths recorded in New Zealand during Septem ber, were those of a man aged 92, a woman aged 80, and nine persons whose ages ranged from 70 to 79.

The Old Men’s Home.—The master of the Old Men’s Home desires to acknow ledge with thanks the receipt of akegof beer aada parcel of tobacco, for the inmates, from Mr. Shearman, Somerset Hotel, Ashbur ton. ■ : : ■■ .

Trade in Timaru.— There has been a marked improvement in general business in Timaru during the last month. The building trade was never brisker. Heavy rains during the past- week have made the crops look splendid. ~, Anxious to Swing.— The Fijian mur derer is annoyed at the.,delay-which is taking place about his execution. He re marks whenever the subject is mentioned to him, “ They are a, long time about it.’” He never moves from his bed except when taken to the gaol yard, .for exercise. Rewi’s House. Rewi’s house has received the finishing touch and is ready for the’celebrated chief to taka possession, but he will not enter till the Native Minister comes and formally hands the property over. He is mow at a meeting at Te Kuiti.

Very Particular.— How scrupulously exact the English law is—especially the bankruptcy law. Not even the fractional part of a penny (says Truth) can be diverted from its proper channel.' The other day a friend of mine in the West, received by post a sheet of foolscap, in forming him that a doctor’s estate had been realised, and that a first and final dividend of ll.lQths of a penny-in the £ was payable to him in London ! Who shall say that the Bankruptcy Law needs amendment ? . ■

Property Sale.— Several properties b e longing to the estate of the late' T. M. Haasal, Esq., were sold at Christchurch, by Messrs. H. Matson and Co. The Ash burton property realised as follows : —9f acres near the township, L3O an acre ; town sections 557 and 578, L6O each.' The Coldstream sections, situated near the Rangitata, arid close to the Lowcliffe Homestead Rural section 23989, containing 90 acres, at £4 15s. Rural section 28595, containing 99 acres, at £2 ss. Rural sections 28398 and 28399, containing 136 acres, at £2 ss. Rural sections 29386 and 29387, con taining 164 acres, at £2 ss. 100 acres at Burnham brought L2 2s. per. acre; another 50 acres, L2 5f.; and several other properties in other parts of Canterbury brought good prices.

Entertainment at Kyle.— On Friday last a very enjoyable entertainment was given in the Kyle school-room in aid of the local library. The district is fortunate in possessing an able and enthusiastic musician in their midst like Mr. Thomp son, master of the Kyle school. . He con siders no effort bn his part too great to foster and encourage amongst the young people a love for good music, and one good result of his painstaking is that the entertainments given at Kyle are of. an altogether higher cast than the average country “ sing-song. ” In his efforts to further music, Mr. Thompson is well backed up by Mr. Lambie, who takes an interest in the work at least no less warm, and he displays a very commendable public spirit in everything connected with the Kyle district. On Friday evening the entertainment was just such a nice one as might be expected from Kyle when one knows the work that is going on, and we are glad to say that it was largely attended. A good programme of songs, concerted pieces, &c., was gone through, and each item was ap plauded as its merit deserved. With the exception of the Seafield instru mentalists, the performers were all Kyle people, and their performances were really: creditable indeed. We may state, how ever, that the absence of Mrs. Louden from the programme was greatly felt, her voice being a host in itself. Probably, at the next entertainment, she will be' there to give her valuable aid. The finan cial results of these entertainments at Kyle for the local library are, we are glad to say, very satisfactory, and are likely to put the institution in a very promising position.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Reuter’s Agency.)

New Zealand Securities Looking up Again. London, Oct. 22. ■ Consols have advanced to 99J. New Zealand securities have improved, and are to-day quoted as follows : —Five per cent. 10-40 loan, 100 ; five per cent. 1889 loan, 1011, ; four-and-a-half per cent. 1879-1904 loan, 93|. Wheat, &c. Adelaide and New Zealand wheat are unchanged. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,720,000 quarters. Australian tallow is without quotable change. Best Sydney copra is quoted at Li 7; best sides Australian leather have advanced to Ilf. A Hurricane. London, Oct. 23. A telegram has been received fi’om Copenhagen announcing that a severe hurricane has been experienced there, which has caused numerous shipping casualties. The Dulcigno Trouble. Constantinople, Oct. 22. The German, French, and Austrian Ambassadors to the Porto are, in accor dance with instructions from their Go vernments, urging the Sultan to order Riza Pasha to surrender Dulcigno to the Montenegrins within five days. Resignation of the Greek Ministry. Athens, Oct. 23. ' Inconsequence of the opposition which the Greek Ministry have met with in Parlia ment, they have tendered their resigna tions, and a new Ministry is now in course of formation. Ploods in Prance. Paris, Oct. 23. Owing to heavy rains the environs of the port of Cherbourg are completely in undated, and much damage is being done to property. Maurauders Let Loose. Teheran, Oct. 23. ■ Tho tribes of the predatory kings who recently crossed tho Persian frontier, pillaged a number of villages, and mas sacred many inhabitants, have renewed their ravages and are continuing‘their depredations. The Persian troops, under Heshnekcd Doulah, are rapidly advancing against the army. AUSTRALIAN. {Per Reuter's Agency.') The Favorite for the Cup. Melbourne, Oct. 25. Mata’s price for tho Cup is now 8 to 1. The ‘‘ Age ” Libel Case. In the libel action, MTntyre v. Syme, proprietor of the Age, a verdict has been returned fur plaintiff, with damages, Ll5O. NEW ZEALAND (Per Press Asoociation. 1 Sir George Grey’s Illness. Auckland, To-day. Sir George Grey writes from Kawau that he has been too ill to attend to any busi ness, but hopes to visit tho Thames shortly. A New Goldfield. Telegrams from Hamilton,' Waikato, 1 report that the natives have found rich <

stone at Te Aroha, on a hill behind O’llallaran’s Hotel, and in consequence a - ; gr.eat rush has ensued to the A ground, , which has been pegged off for aiconsider able distance. The Government officers are new arranging-to secure- the ■remain ing natives’ signatures, and in a few days tfie block will be declared a goldfield.. Accident to an R.M.' b'-Mr. Von Sterraer, the R.M. at Hokia hga, lias had his arm broken in two places by a fall.. * ‘ Church Parade. The German and French men-of-war’s men now in port attended the Catholic Catholic Chapel, yesterday. Archbishop Steins gave discourses in- both languages. Reinforced ■ A iiew-democratie paper announces 'its intention of supporting Sir George Grey. A Big Nugget. Dunedin, To-day. Some Chinamen at Butcher’s Gully are reported.to have found a nugget weighing 41bs. ’ '■ • Accident. A ten year old girl named ■ Kate White fell down an enbankment at the rear of the First Church and sustained severe injuries.' Sudden Death, v Jas. Richard Saunders, a carrier in the emyloy of-Messrs Coombs and Son, died very, suddenly, yesterday morning. He had been ailing for some time past, and at about seven o’clock he left his bed. About twenty minutes afterwards there was a rush of blood from bis nose and mouth. The immediate cause of death is supposed to have been the rupture of a aneurism of the aorta, or great artery of the heart. The New Rush. . Grahamstown,. To-day. The Star’s special reporter has visited Te Aroha (the new goldfield mentioned in the Auckland telegrams). He states that gold has been found in the boulders, but he could obtain no definite information as to whether any had yet been discovered in the reefs. He advises against a rush as yet. Serious Accident to a Girl. ,Timaru, To-day. On Saturday, a young lady, named Phillips, in the employof a storekeeper at Temuka, was out riding on 'Saturday, when her horse was attacked by dogs Her horse became unmanageable, and Miss Phillips was thrown and badly in jured about the head and body. She now liesin a precarious state, Suicide. J. B. Glaason, hairdresser, Temuka, committed suicide yesterday, by swallow ing carbolic acid. Deceased wa,s formerly a hotelkeeper on the Thames, and a suc cessful raining speculator, but lost the whole of his money. And Another.. Feildino, To-day. An inquest was held this morning on the body of a man named Henry Weather ley, .who committed suicide by drowning himself in a Icreek at Taonui. Deceased tied his hands with a handkerchief, and jumped into two feeb.of water. The ver dict returned was that deceased committed suicide wdiile of unsound mind. Weather ley was an old soldier of the Coldstream Guards, and had been through the Crimean war, and held a medal with the Sebas tapol clasp, and also the Turkish, medal. /After Hours. Wellington, To-day. The Magistrate dismissed the informa tion against the hotelkeeper Wakeley, for keepinghis hotel open after hours. Inquest. At the inquest held on the body of the boy Heighten, a verdict was ' returned that the lad met his death from being thrown from his horse.

The Sugar Maple.

(From the Taranaki News, Sept. IQthi) We are glad to learn that our friends in South Canterbury have been successful in raising from seed a considerable number of plants of the acer sacharim, or sugar maple. This tree grows very abundantly, in the rich valleys of'North America from Canada to Pennsylvania, and from it the European settlers of those regions obtain a large quantity of excellent sugar. It is the most noble of Canadian trees, growing from forty to sixty feet in height and from two to five feet in diameter, and is crowned with a dense mass of foliage at thesummit. The trunk isgenerallystraight, though often studded with projections and excrescences. When it grows, in a clear ing, with all its-branches exposed to the light, it is ’ a tree of groat beauty. The timber of this tree is most valuable fire wood ; it produces charcoal of the best quality, and its ashes are generally rich in alkali. From the butts beautiful timber, and veneers are obtained.- The extraction of the sap and the making of sugar takes place in April. The process of tapping the tree is very simple : a hole is bored with an auger in an upward direction into tiie alburnum or sapwood of the trunk, on the sunny side, and into the hole so made a spout is placed, and a tub is placed under the spout. A tree will yield a gallon or two of sap in 24 hours, young trees growing in clearings yielding more than older and larger trees growing in the forest. The weather most favorable for the flow of sap is a warm sunny day after a frosty night. When the weather is wet and the nights mild the sap does not flow., From 200 to 300 trees form a ‘sugary,’, and during the sugar season, which lasts

for three or four weeks, a man is employed with yoke and pails to go round and collect the- sap, and convey it to a large receptacle in the boiling-house or camp. The sugar is made by one of three processes—evaporation, freezing, or boil ing, the latter being the most simple and the plan usually adopted. If the boiling process be adopted, the sap is poured into a large kettle hung over a fire. As the water is drawn off fresh sap is added, and a piece of fat pork is put in to clarify it. Lime eggs and new milk are also used for clarifying, but a good and serviceable sugar can be made without the addition of any purifying ingredients. After the sop has attained a certain consistence it is allowed to cool; it is then boiled a second time for the purpose of “ sugaring off.” In the midst of this second process the sap becomes of the consistence, of honey, and very frequently the process is stayed hero, and the maple honey, as it is called, is put into jars and used in precisely the same manner has ordinary honey. The Canadians say that maple honey is more palatable than honey made by bees and less cloying. If, however, sugar is the object of the farmer, he continues, the boiling process until the sap becomes glutinous. This is discovered by a loop made of a bent twig being placed in the boiling sugar. If the film which fills the

loop breaks when blown it is a ‘sign that the sap needs more boiling, but if under the breath it is expanded into a long bubble, it is a sign that the seething mass is ready to. granulate. It must then be ini mediately removed from the fire or it will burn, and be placed in vessels with perforated bottoms to crystallise and drain. Honey, sugar, molasses, and vinegar are obtained from the sap. It is not at all uncommon Tor a. Canadian farmer to make 2,000 lbs. of sugar in one spring. If the sugar maple can be acclimatised here so as to yield its saccharine treasures as freely as it does in its native forests in Canada and the Northern States, it will be a valuable addition to the colony, and a great boon to many of our. small but in dustrious farmers.. The sugar bill in every household is something considerable during the year, and is a large demand on the farmer’s small income. If this can be obviated and a small quantity of sugar obtained for market, in addition . to. the

family supply, at no very-large expend!' ture of time and labrir, .-New Zealand farming will be placed|on a much better footing than it is aLpraSeriU As the maple is hardyand ornamental) we would advise that itvbe planted/extensively wherever ■ornamental or protecting trees are deemed to bo needed, and particularly that it be cultivated on steep, "hill sides, narrow valleys, and other places ! on : broken lands ,which are unprofitable file ordinary culti vation.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1880.



Special Advertisements. THE BEST VALUE FOB. READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S) CLOTHING (AND BOYS’) MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best descrip-



tion. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satis faction. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT at the WHOLESALE PRICE. JZS- Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarfs, Bags, Portmanteaus, Bugs, and Blankets at Wholesale Prices. THOUSANDS OF DISCERNING CUSTOMERS Testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money., Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. W T M, SPARROW, 910 c Manager.



Holloway’s Ointment and Pills. — A Cure for Abscesses, Piles, Fistula, and Sores - The many satisfactory cures resulting fronj., the-Use of this invaluable Ointment iii cases where patients have been suffering from these complaints, have induced many medical practi tioners to introduce them into the. hospitals and their private' practice ; .arid in - many instances where the sufferer was considered incurable, Holloway’s Ointment, in conjunction with his Pills, healed the most desperate wounds. These medicaments are unequalled for the cure of scrofula and diseases of the skin. In all cutaneous affections incidental to children, from the simple red gum to the complicated scorbutic disease, Holloway’s. Ointment exer cises a remarkably beneficial influence, cooling inflamation, relieving irritation, and giving ease *x>'the impatient little suffered



Wanted. WANTED— A HOUSEMAID for the •'■•Country. ' Apply, office of this paper. - ■- V 388 WANTED, LADIES to Join the Amateur Dramatic Club and assist at the Christmas Pantomime. 328 WANTED KNOWN. : SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M £ RAE bogs 'to inform the , publicthat he has taken the above 1 Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is ; making extensive repairs. ; Buggies arid saddle horses on hire. * Lowest prices and best attention.- ; . I • 908c—286g Lost. LOST, on Saturday, last,. between Quinn’s shop’ and the Bridge, a WHIP. Anyone bringing the same to office of this paper will be rewarded, arid ’ anyone keeping it after this date will be j prosecuted. ..... 395 f Meetings. TO THE INHABITANTS OF WINSLOW’ AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.' A MEETING .to consider the advis j A ability of ERECTING YARDS and - holding periodical Sales will be held at t the Winslow Railway Hotel on SATUR DAY, 30th inst., at 7 p.m. 394 Amusements. | REMEMBER ! ! REMEMBER !! ! [ TO-MORROW EVENING! !-' '• i ] DRAMATIC. CLUB’S 1 ENTERTAINMENT. ■ ; Jo s e p.liin e , •. i ’ AND L ' The Railway Belie; 392 For Sale. ■ -Poyntz &Co,. HAVE FOR SALE, on advantageous and easy terras of payment, the following ; • J TOWN AND SUBURBAN f PROPERTIES:— c A good five-roomed House, on quarter j acre of land, within three or four l ' ' chains of the East Town Belt. ... A splendid six-roomed House, with a , good lawn and well laid-out flower j garden, fronting on East Belt and , ■ - -- close to the Wakanui Road. [ A compact four-roomed House, With orie : 3 : acre of land, well fenced. Tliree t quarters of an acre laid down as a • paddock. ■ I A nice four-roomed House on half acre of land near the Gas Works, well finished throughout. Town Sections, 742, 743, 465, 466, 467. Town Section 711 upon which is erected a capital four-roomed House fitted i 4: with' every convenience. A two-roomed House, : with ; outbuild-• ! ings, on a quarter acre, well fenced ( and planted,- oh N.E. Belt. i : Barristers, Solicitors, &c. : C. W. Ireland, ■ jgARRISTER AND SOLICITOR, . Montgomery’s Buildings,' A ■' Ashburton. . ,393. ■Branson'& Burnell, ; JgARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, EAST STREET.: ■' .194 Public Companies. The national mutual life ; ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRAL. ASIA-(LIMITED). Established 1869. , Actuary and Secretary.— J. M, - Templeton, F.I.A. . The MOST LIBERAL and EQUIT ABLE OFFICE for Life Assurance.; in' the Australasian. .Colonies. The best office for young irieri. Profits divided every three years. , Offices in Melbourne, Sydney., Adelaide, Wellington, and Hobart Town. The New Zealand Branch—A LOCAL INSTITUTION, investing all moneys in the colony. : ' . ■ ' ’ Resident Secretary - Thomas Swain, Temple Chambers,' Featherston street, Wellington. Agent for the County of Ashburton— S. SAUNDERS (of the firm of Saunders Bros,), Ashburton,- Note the name—The National Mu'tual. 169-218 CC THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN LAND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY (limited). ■ ' ! WOOL SEASON—IBBO-1881. SPECIAL NOTICE TO SHEEP FARMERS. nnHE Company brakes LIBERAL CASH 1 ADVANCES on WOOL entrusted to 1 its care for sale in the London market. This being one of the leading depart ments of the Company’s business, and an expert and practical staff Being employed by its London House especially to superin tend the classification, valuation, and dis posal of wool consignments, growers may- : rely upon their clips being carefully' handled and placed to the best advan- 1 tage, _ Further irifoririation may be obtained t upon application at the Company’s office, Cathedral Square, t Chi;ist(ffiurch.:, 283 a I 3



Matson, Cox, and Co. Matson, Cox & Co., STOCK AND ESTATE AGENTS, LAND & MONEY BROKERS, AUCTIONEERS AND COMMISSION AGENTS, ' ASHBURTON. Their business will include the manage ment of Estates, Investment .and Pro curation of Money, "Valuation of Pro perties, Stock, &c., and General Agency. They will hold throughout the District .P»Wia--AttotioiL--.Saleß- of Land;-Live and Dead Stock; also, on Market Days at Ashburton and Tinvvald, Fat and Store Stoqk. ,They are also prepared to.,make Liberal Cash . Advances on Properties,. Stock, Wool, 1 &c., placed in their hands for sale. : MATSON, COX, & CO., . Agents for Robey & Co.'s 5 CELEBRATED ■ : < THRESHING M ACHINES : • 44a Money. MONEY TO LEND. mRUST MONEYS—£2,OOO, £4OO, and I £250,. These sums are now ready for investment on real security, at current rates of interest. • . . ’ : . P. P. O’REILLY, 899c-22G0 ’ Solicitor, Tancred street. 1 Tenders i WAKANUI ROAD DISTRICT. TENDERS are invited for the follow ing WORKS ! i No. 29—Part of, Beach Road, from • School'to Terrace. Forming to width 200 chains. No. 30—Buckley’s Road,, (Seafield), ‘ - from Bruce's corner to Boundary i. Road, alternative tenders required > for Forming to full width, and for I Forming and Metalling from ; side i : drains, 305 chains ; may be let in ) . .. two contracts. : No. 31 —Innis Road,- formation full width, 40 chains. ; Plans and specifications can be seen at the District Office, Ashburton, where tenders will be received till 10 a m. on THURSDAY; November 4th, addressed ‘ to the Chairman, endorsed with No. of , 1 contract, and' accompanied with deposit t (marked cheque or cash) of 5 per cent, on " .value of work tendered for. I . FOOKS & SON, - 391 District. Surveyors. : V-" "jail." R-' " ' , . RESERVES TO LET. 5 ■ f | RENDERS are invited for the LEASE B for fourteen-years, of RESERVE .. No 2012, containing 1,500 acres, and situated near Coldstream, Rangitata. Alternative tenders will - be received, either for the Reserve as a whole, or in Three Blocks of 500 acres each. Conditions of Lease may be obtained on application to Mr. H. H. Pitman, Govern ment Buildings,'Christchurch,' either by ■ letter or personally; oh any Saturday. , Tenders, addressed to the Commissioner > of Crown Lands, Christchurch, will be ■ received up to Monday, the 22nd of No vember next. ..- JOHN MARSHMAN, • . Commissioner of Crown Lands. . Christchurch, October 21st, 1880. .•; b,,/. • . . . .. . :■ ... - 389 I' ASHBURTON COUNTY CQ|s<fOlL.f fg RENDERS are invited forj||- : 1. Cartage of Cement fipni. Methyen Railway Station to Kidding,Hill, c ,2. Cartagd ofeShingle fma Sand. Speoifications%an beJPseen at' County 1 Council Office; and Tenders to be sent in by Km iW on Saturday, 30th 1 October. V - By order, ’ 5 .WILLIAM BAXTER, " 379 County Engineer.,.. , TENDERS. 1 rgIENDERS WANTED, at once, for X PLOUGHING, . HARROWING, and. ROLLING 400, Acres of Tussock; Land for Turnips, on Westerfield Estate, i Tenders to be opened at Westerfield on the 30th October. The whole of' the work to be finished by the 20th December (or as may be ■ agreed on). Breadth of furrow, 10, inches ; depth, 4 inches. The lowest or any tender not necessarily; accepted. ...... For particulars, apply at the Station. 385 D. OLIVER. Public Notices TO SHEARERS. V SHEARING will commence. at Anama on MONDAY, November Ist. 387 - , w. S, PETERS. Ashburton, October 21st, 1880. To His Worship the Mayor, Ashburton, SIR, —I . have the honor to request (by instructions from the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club), that you will proclaim WEDNESDAY and THURS DAY, NOVEMBER 17thand 18th, HALF; HOLIDAYS, from: 12 noon on the occa sion of the annual Spring Race meeting. I have the honor to be, sir, "i , , Your obedient servant; . .-:f \ BAM. SAUNDERS,. . - : , ■'.-.(Acting Secretary),; Ashburton Racing Club. . . To Samuel : Saunders, Esq., acting • Secretary Ashburton Racing Club.; SIR,— In accordance with the above re quisition, phereby request-the Bur gesses to observe WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY,- the 17th and 18th of No vember, HALF HOLIDAYS from 12 noon, HUGO FRIBDLANDER, ■ Mayor., Ashburton, October 23rd, 1880. . ' 378 ALL DEBTS due to Ashburton Herald and Guardian business hfust be Paid to - Mr. S. :E. Poyntz, on behalf of the. Assignees- at the Guardian Office, East, street, Ashburton, arid his receipt alone will-be a sufficient 1 discharge. S. SAUNDERS, For Self and Co-Assignees. ASHBURTON AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. rjTH -E AN N UAL S HOW op,- STOCK, PRODUCE, IMPLEMENTS, . &C., " WILL BE HELD ON " < TUESDAY, 16th NOVEMBER. V * ' Entries must be made with the'Secretary not later than Tuesday, 9th November.;- : Members will oblige by forwarding f their Subscriptions at an. early date. - . P GEORGE JAMESON, . - 326 | .Secretary, "it



Harrison. :?SATURDAY, OCTOBEI A LFRED HARRISON ha r\ .■ structed to sell by publ at big too ms,'Havelock street, or date) first-elass SCIOPTIO; TERN, and one set of Ten M grams -upon astronomy, all quit complete. GREAT SA; OF Bankrupt S‘ - ’ - - •- - ’MO U N T ; S'O ’M‘ E MONDAY, NOVEM ELEVEN. O’CLOCE Alfred Harris pis ; favoured " with iristrdcl Messrs. Orr and Co. to sell / BY PUBLIC' * AT MOiUN.T, .SOJ The whole of the ST Q O K-1 N-T R ' ' '', ' OF ' MESSRS.; JOHN ERASE! Consisting of— ; GROCERIES :- Teas, Sugars, Coffees, Jam Tobacco, etc. ! etc. ! ! < .. > " ] DRAPERIES : Clothing, Boots, Shoes, etc.r ! ! ! ? IRONMONGERIES Carpenters’ Tools, Spades Locks;'-'- ; * ■■ Also, an enormous quantity arid /useful Goods' too' multit particularise. This Sale is worthy" of specie seeing that .the yyhole stockis. order, and having beeii purclj successful tenderers at a low be disposed of T .- ' ? /WITHOUT RESER 1 MONDAY, ist- NOVI And following days, until ALFRED HARR] -376 - ;■ ,-'Ai T. Bullock. rpHE Undersigned begs .to] former constituents anil] settle that he has RETURNED TO BU. AS Auctioneer, E AND GENERAL GOMMISSIOI In the jjremiges,. j EAST STRE - And at the B A Z 'A A BURNETT ST] i . : < I ii . Formerly occupied by ; | WeEEDY- t S I OF PROPERTIES,, MERC! -j Etc,” • , , Will.be held as.fojpme ’ . * ’ ALSO, SALE of HO! AX THE . . HORSE BAZAAR, BURNET and intends holding periodic . and J G During the ensuing sea Will also attend’the -u