SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived, Saturday. Penguin, s.s., from Northern Ports. Tui, s.s., from Kaikoura. St. Kilda, s.s., from Dunedin and Oamaru. Yesterday. Zior, schooner. Maud Graham, schooner, from Manu kau. British Sceptre, ship from Calcutta. Island Lilly, brigantine, from Chatham Islands. Isabella Pratt, schooner. Sailed. Saturday. Penguin, s.s., for Wellington. Yesterday. Awaroa, schooner, for D’Urville’s Island. Annie, cutter, for Auckland. Advance, schooner, for Auckland. ' Marmion, brigantine, for Kaipara. Lutterworth, barque, for London. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. The Northumberland, s.s., from Lon don, GO days out, arrived last night. She brings 244 passengers, and, as six mild cases of measles existed among them, she has been placed in quarantine. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Star of the South, from Grey mouth ; Owake, from Lyttelton. Sailed —Hero, for Picton ; Maori, for Dunedin. Port Chalmers, Saturday. Arrived —Hawea, s.s., from North; Vision, brig, from Newcastle ; Nelson, ship, from Glasgow. Yesterday. . Sailed—Moa, brig, for Kaipara. Sydney, Friday. Sailed—Rotorua, for Auckland, yester day 0

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— Tuesday, December 28. For Otago and Australian Colonies, via the Bluff, per Ringarooma, at 1.40 p.m. ; late fee letters at 2 p.m. : guard’s van, 2.30 p.m. train. For Northern Ports, Per Hawoa, at 7.30 p.m. ; guard’s van, 8.30 p.m. train. Friday, December 31. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Ac., as under : —Money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m.; books and newspapers, at G p.m.; ordinary letters, at 10 p.m. A supplementary mail will be closed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January, 1, 1881. Late fee letters may bo posted in the guard’s van attached to the 8.30 p.m. train on Saturday, January 1.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Friday, December 31. Mr. T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Freehold and Leasehold Property. Two o’clock. Tuesday, January 4. Quill and Co., Monthly Sale, Mount Somers. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. To-Night, Monday, December 27. Fire Brigade Carnival, Town Hall, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 29. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Monday, January, 3. Upper Ashburton Road District —Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Road Board Office, at 12 noon. Tuesday, January 4. Longbeach Roajl Board —Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Road Board Office, at 12 noon. Wednesday, January 5. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, January 6. Mount Seniors Road Board Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Schoolhouse, Mount Somers, at 12 noon. Wakauui Road District—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, at the office of the Agri cultural and Pastoral Association Show ..Grounds, at 12 noon.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p. in., and 7.50 p. ra. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1880. Voting Facilities.

TOWN EDITION. [.lssued at 5.30 p. m. ]

The late elections to the Waimaka riri River Roard have brought out in a strong light one of the worst features connected with our New Zealand elec tions, and perhaps we must admit that it is one for which Canterbury has earned even more than an average colonial notoriety. The name “ Liberal” is now claimed by a variety of poli ticians, and always most vociferously by those who have the least title to it; but one idea of a liberal politician is that he should seek the “ greatest good for the greatest number,” that he should avoid and denounce any attempt to monopolise power or privilege to any one party or class by improper means, that he should protect the weak from the strong, and that he should especially watch the constant tendency of wealth to obtain more than its due share of consideration, either in the legislation or administration of the coun try he wishes to serve. With this view of a liberal politician, we cannot imagine anything more thoroughly illiberal, or more directly calculated to undermine the tights of the mass of the people as secured by genuine representation, than the open, unblushing manner in which Canterbury candidates lavishly spend money to secure their own election, even on a River Board. We write of this with no personal views, and in no party spirit—we regret to say that it is a vice confined to no party in Canterbury, but one so wildely spread that no party appears ashamed of it, or even to con sider it necessary to conceal the amounts they have spent in trying to secure an election to the most wealthy instead of to the most worthy candi date. The most paraded, if not the most gigantic expenditures of this kind have been made by the very associations whose chief business should have been to point out to the poorer classes of the electors how obviously unfair to them all attempts to gain seats by the expen diture of money must necessarily be, and how entirely regardless of their true and highest rights any man proves himself to be who seeks to secure their support by offering facilities of con veyance, or incurring any kind of ex penditure, which more worthy men of their own class, or others with smaller means, would be unable to undertake. Such devices to place their poorer or more honorable rival at a disadvantage should be understood by every working man as an attempt to subvert the rights of his class, and to give to wealth an undue share of representation in the elective bodies throughout the colony. Let this matter be once fairly and fully understood by the great body of the electors in New Zealand, and the force of public opinion would soon put a stop to the present abuses. Working men would refuse to vote for any candidate who sought to purchase a seat by such means, and would rather reach the polling-booth on foot to vote for a candidate who would not tamper with their independence or surrender his own, than be driven in the carriage of one who expects such a provision to influence his vote. It is worthy of notice that the Canterbury Reform Association not only leaves this practice without condemnation, but its leading officers seem even proud of the extent to which they and their favorite can didates have influenced the elections by its means. This is only one of the many strong proofs we have of how little those officers understand the business they profess, and how entirely they are seeking the interests of a few selfish men, and not the protection of the weak, the education of the ignorant, or the elevation of the degraded. But New Zealand Liberal Associations will, we would fain hope, not always be a bye-word and a shame. We hope to see associations of men with great principles to guide their actions, and with great public objects to achieve, led by officers seeking the welfare of the State and the happiness and contentment of its people ; not by those who seek their own ends at the cost of needless dis content and destruction of mutual con fidence.

St. Mark’s Church, Rakaia. — Messrs. Baker and Brown have almost completed their contract for the enlargement of this church, and on the IGth of January it will be re-oponed and consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese. Christmas at Hakaia. —The service at St. Mark’s Church on Christmas Day, conducted by the Incumbent, Rev. W. H. Elton, was very well attended. The cus tomary decorations had to be dispensed with, owing to the church being in the hands of the builders for enlargement. Boat Accident. —A fatal boat accident occui’red at Wanganui on Saturday. Pour young men were sailing on the river when a sudden gust of wind upset the boat and two occupants, named Farnie and Wilkin son, were drowned. The others were saved, one swimming ashore and the other being picked up by a boat. Police Cases.— At the R. M. Court this morning, Mr. Nugent Wood inter viewed several individuals who had made too merry during the festivities of Christ mas-tide. For being drunk, smashing windows, and other similar delinquencies, two men from Rakaia were respectively fined Is., and L2, cost of replacing the damaged glass. One of the men who had endeavored to rescue his mate from the man in blue, was mulct in an extra fine of ss. James Smith, charged with being drunk, disorderly, and resisting the police, asked the leniency of the Court, as he intended to “put in the peg/’ Mr. Wood was merciful, and let the offender off, but warned him if the peg was again taken out, ho would get fourteen days if brought before the Bench. Michael Wheeler, for similar misconduct, was dismissed with a caution. David James, who had been arrested by Constable Neill, was brought up, charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Mr. Ncalas. The charge being fully proved, prisoner was sentenced to four days’ imprisonment, >

Rakaia Sports.— VVehad made arrange ments for the conveyance of particulars jf these sports to our office to-day by earner pigeon, but although our ariel messenger arrived in good time, he had lost his des patch, probably owing to the high wind and insufficient care in fastening. A full account of the sports will appear in to morrow's issue. The Fire Brigade Carnival. —The Ashburton Fire Brigade were busy at an early hour this morning making prepara tions for their concert, &c. The fire works, from their appearance, ought to be a grand display, and the music at the concert will be of a much superior nature to that usually given at amateur enter tainments.

A Tent Destroyed. —Two men named John Cousins and Fred. Goodrich, liv ng in a tent on the river bed, had their frail habitation destroyed by fire yesterday. It appears that having lit a fire for the pur pose of making tea, the sparks flew to the adjoining tussocks, which, igniring, the flames speedily spread to the tent, wh oh with a quantity of articles it contained, was entirely destroyed.

Pushing Business.— The Welling!on correspondent of a contemporary says : “ I hear that the Government Insurance Department intend to take advantage- of the steamship to the Chatham Islands to send a doctor and an officer of the de partment, with a view cf pushing a Hide business if possible and taking some 1R ;s. Dr. Johnston, of this city, is going as medical officer.”

A Female Shylock. One of the passengers tells “ Atticus ” that on the night when the Sorata struck, all was c-in fusion, women fainting, men runn ng hither and thither, and seamen swear ng with true British energy. At this critical moment, when the cry on all sides was for the boats, and when tiunks were being eagerly opened, by owners anxious to save something of their valuables, the under-stewardess went the rounds and presented the wine bills for settlement.

Apple Blight. —A correspondent of the Australasian sends the following as an in fallible cure for apple blight “ Lay bare the roots of the tree most affected ; scrape the parts most affected, let them lie open to the weather a few days and nights ; then sprinkle a good dusting of sulphur over them, and cover them up again, painting the whole of the stem cud branches with castor oil. This I have proved effectual, and do not know one who has tried it but with success.”

Sickness and Accident Assurance Wc have received from the local ageno a copy of the rules of the Sickness and Accident Mutual Assurance Association of New Zealand, which clearly define the objects and management of the Associa tion. The trustees are gentlemen of un impeachable stability, and the committee is composed of others well qualified for the duties they have assumed. Any per son wishing to make provision for sickness or accident should join this Association, for which Mr. 0. Braddell is local agent.

A Row.—On Christmas Day, a sort of free fight occurred in the vicinity of the gasworks, the result, we understand, of some petty grievances between neighbor ing families. Brickbats, small boulders, tomahawks, a rifle and revolver were in requisition during the affair, but as the Uvo latter weapons were unloaded, no serious wounds were inflicted. A youth named Ibcll seems to have been the principal victim, and he certainly has had some rough usage. A Court case is likely to be the outcome of the affair, when more particulars will doubtless be elicited.

A Novel Life-Saving Apparatus.— Messrs Thornton and Co., exhibited before the Leith Dock Commissioners a new life-saving dress. The apparatus c< m sists of a waterproof dress, with a float attached, which is fitted with airproof chambers, so constructed that they are pro tected by means of cork bulwarks against any chance of damage through collision with wreckage, rocks, &c. The dress can be put on in a minute, and the operator, being in a perpendicular position, and floating waist high in perfect security, can rescue four or five persons from drowning. Propellers are fitted to the lower part of the dress in the form of web feet, and by an easy action of the latter, similar to walking, the dress is propelled through the water at a considerable speed. A pair of revolving screws fitted to the back of the float propel the dress at a speed equal to five miles an hour without much exertion by the operator. • The apparatus is recommended by the in venters for naval, military, and exploring purposes, and also for wild duck shooting. The Dock Commissioners expressed them selves highly satisfied with the working of the apparatus.

Attempted Murder at' Templeton.— On Saturday evening a man named Gib son went to the house of one Kerrison, and enquired for a female acquaintance who was residing there, between Whom and Gibson there is said to have been an intimacy some time ago. The girl did not come out, and Gibson (who appeared to be troubled in mind and agitated) asked Kerrison to go with him and have some liquor. This offer being refused, he pro duced a bottle of brandy, out of which Kerrison took a glass, as also did a woman named Mrs. Kinley, residing with Kerri son. Gibson then went away from the house, but only proceeded about 400 yards when he returned, and standing opposite the building took his coat off and threw it on the ground. It was then noticed that he had a pistol in his hand, and the woman Kinley approached him, with the object of warning him not to be rash. Gibson told her to stand off, and pointed the pistol at her,’ seeing which, Kerrison rushed from the house, and Gibson then turned the pistol towards him (Kerrison), aiming at his heart, and fired. The bullet entered Kerrison’s loft breast and passed along the collarbone, piercing, it is supposed, the lungs. He did not fall, but ran inside the house, and Gibson fired another shot from the revolver at him as he ran, but fortunately without effect. Gibson then fired a third shot over Mrs. Kinley’s head and went away. Kerrison was brought to town yesterday and conveyed to the Hos pital. Gibson was arrested and brought to town yesterday evening. Chalmers in the Pulpit. —Dr. Chalmers was then Professor of the Uni versity, and had no parish of his own, but occasionally held forth at a small church at Liberton, I think it was called, in the suburbs of Edinburgh, and here I was one of the largo crowd which thronged in and about the contracted building. Not very familiar with the Scotch brogue which Chalmers spoke, of the rudest Glasgow kind, and, finding it not only difficult to understand, but painful to listen to, I was little disposed at first to give much heed to his sermon. His appearance and man ner in the pulpit, moreover, were by no means attractive. His face and. features were course and large ; his lank grey hair fell carelessly about a narrow forehead, and he kept his head bent and his blink ing eyes close to his manuscript, while his only action was an up and down or sawing movement with his right arm from the elbow. In spite of all these personal dis advantages, which at the beginning was very repulsive to me, I was so soon inter ested in his fervid utterances and absorbed by the quick alternations of emotion with which my feelings responded to his earnest appeals, that I unresistingly yielded to the torrent of his eloquence. The man in the meantime seemed trans figured, and ray tearful eyes saw, as ii, were, through a sacred halo, the prophet or apostle. —Robert Tomes’ “My College Pays" . I

Nomination. —The Rev. W. H. Elton, the Incumbent of St. Mark’s, Rakaia, having been appointed minor canon and precentor to the Canterbury Cathedral, the Rev. E. E. Chambers, curate of Ross, Westland, has been nominated to the vacancy, which will occur at Easter. Flattering. —Mr. Henry Labouchere, M.P., the editor and proprietor of Truth, one of the brightest of the London weeklies, is described by Mr. George Agustus Sala as “a scholar of well-digested reading, a travelled linguist, a diplomatist of nearly twenty years’ training, a shrewd financier, a brilliant conversationalist, a ready, incisive public speaker, a man of wit, a man of sense, and a man of busi ness, and has made a palpable hit. in the. House of Commons.”

A Compliment.— An honest- farmer receives a visit from a dealer in live stock who-.wishes to-purchase his pork crop. After chaffering over the price, they rise to.go out to the farm-yard to inspect the animals. On the threshold they meet the farmer’s daughter, a handsome, strapping lass of nineteen, whose plumpness, and colour would have delighted Reubens. “By Jove!” says the admiring and gallant dealer, feeing that some compli ment is demanded of him ; “I say, if your pigs are anything like your daughter, we will have no difficulty in making a bargain.” Equal to the Occasion. — Michael Bates, who is without arms, has been in dicted at the Liverpool assizes on a charge of bigamy. Counsel for the defence con tended that if the marriage purported to be according to the rites of the Church of England it could not have been valid, in asmuch us the prisoner could not have given the woman his hand, nor could he have put the ring on her finger. Evi dence was given that at the first marriage the prisoner put on the ring by means of his teeth. As it was shown that the prisoner had, at the time of his second marriage, not heard from his wife -for seven years, he was acquitted.

Death of an Aged Lady. —Mrs. Sarah Baird, who died a few days since in Troy, Wisconsin, at the great age of 108, had never suffered a day of illness, and up to the very day of her death it.vvas her cus tom to make almost daily’ trips to her neighbors, traversing distances of half and three-quarters of a mile with perfect ease. Excepting a growing childishness, she showed no infirmities of age. She was the mother of six children, all now living, and she had one sister who lived to the age of 105. Her mother died at 102. On the day of her death she sat up the entire day, combing her own hair, and otherwise helping herself as was ordinary.

A New Tax. — A new scheme of taxa tion has been suggested by a writer in one of the Home magazines, as a substitute for the income tax in the mother country. He proposes the imposition of a stamp duty on rent and interest on all real estate and invested capital ; upon every change of ownership in all materials of trade, commerce, and manufactures ; upon all exchanges of labor and goods into money ; upon payment of the wages; of all labor ; and upon the contract notes of all speculations. From these various sources he estimates that a revenue of eight millions would be raised, at a merely nominal cost of collection, and the hi cidenco of the tax would’be nicely ad justed to the circumstances of the con tributors.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Seizure of a Ship. London, Dec. 23. A ship named the Juno, from America, with a cargo of arms, has been seized off the mouth of the River Shannon, on the west coast of Ireland, where, it is presumed, her cargo was to be landed. The capture was effected without difficulty, but the occurrence has caused great excitement in the districts of the Shannon. Death of “ George Elliott." The death of “ George Elliott,” the well known authoress, is announced to day. Notes and Bullion- The total reserve of notes and buMicjn in the Bank of England is L 13,250,000. Shipping. Arrived Chalmers, Sept. 20. ; Bygolo, from Wellington, Sept. 25, Abernyte, from Lyttelton, Sept. 24. Wheat. Dec. 24. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,130,000 bushels. An Unfounded Report. The report circulated with regard to the resignation by the Marquis of Ripon of his position of Viceroy of India, is void of foundation. Lord Carnarvon and Mr. John Bright. A letter has been sent by Lord Car narvon to Mr. John Bright, in which he denounces his speech of November t6th as unfitting a Cabinet Minister, and deplores its ever having been made. He further attacks landlord preference or theoretical reforms, before first mak ing a strong effort for restoring law and order in Ireland. His Holiness and the Irish Trouble. Rome, Dec. 24. The Osseroatorc Romano announces that a letter has been written by the Pope, in which he counsels the Irish clergy and the people to entirely, separate themselves from revolution.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pet Reuter's Agency. ) Scratchings for the Champion. hfIiLpOURNEj Dec. 24. The following horses have been scratched for the Champion Stakes,, to be run.on.New Year’s Day;—Columbus, First King, South Hamilton, Yardley, Gloster, Heron, Lord Lisgar, Royal Consort, Faublas, Baron Von Mueller, Constance, and Western Princess. . The Repairs to the Sorata. The firm of Johnston and Company have contracted for the repairs to the steamer Sorata. Cricket. Lauceston, Dec. 24. The Australian team won the cricket match in one innings, with 122 runs to spare. '

ASHBURTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL GATHERING. The second annual gathering of the Caledonian Society began to-day. The Society has as yet had but a brief exis tence. It was fdrmed only in the Sep tember of last year, but it has been so successful during the few months of its early life, as to give promise of a long and important career. Caledonia has sent her sons to every quarter of the world, and there is.no English-speaking colony on the face of the globe that does not find amongst its population here and there —more- ,or less plenti fully—families who, round their own hearth’s converse in the broad dialect of the “ Land o’cakes.” In this County such families are very numerous. An English electoral roll usually puts the printer on his beam ends for capital “ S.’s,” to satisfy the demands upon that letter of the huge family of “ Smith,” but a Scotch roll changes the demand, and the letter “ M ” is more in request, to register the great regiment of “ Mac’s.” A glance at any roll in Ash burton will show the “ Mac’s ” in great force, as well as other names closely identified with the land of oatmeal. If there is one feeling more common to Scotchmen than another, it is love for his country, and however far he may roam from the land of his birth, he never forgets the associations he left behind. Mingling with people ' who speak the softer and more mellow lan guage of the South may tone down the asperities ot his dialect; and Scotchmen born and bred may be found in New Zealand who have succeeded in repres sing in pronounciation the inherited harshness of the letter “ rbut no rubbing of shoulders with the outside world will ever eradicate his memory of the “ land of the mountain and the flood.” He may even be brought to coincide with the Englishman’s remark as to the “barbarous” music of the bagpipes ; but let the piper skirl up one of the old strathspeys, and, “ barbar ous ” as he has just allowed the pipes to be, he is quite prepared to tolerate them, and to dance to them like a wild Highlander if need be. The Cale donian Society’s gathering in Ashburton to-day is only a copy of what takes place every summer in every Scotch town and village, and the “games,” as they are there called, are the one great event,of the year that masses together round the athletes’ enclosure old and young, rich and poor. To these gatherings the piper and his dancers are indispensable, and without them the meeting-s to the Scotchman, even at Home, would be tame indeed. As a rule, the Scotchman cares little for athletic competitions. He takes a momentary interest in the running of a race, or a leaping or vaulting contest, and he will go in the watching crowd while men like Donald Dinnie or James Fleming heave the ponderous hammer,- give a mighty cast to a heavy stone, or toss the -unwieldy cabar, but the average Scotchman feels no lasting enthusiasm in these contests, and is seldom galvanised, into making a bet on their result. He comes loyally to the V games,” and he enjoys them while thete; but were the athletic contests the' only attraction, they would be no loadstone for him. The annual sports of the town or village bring to one spot almost everyone he knows, and it is because of the many happy reunions of old friends they bring about that they are so attractive to, Sandy. Donald, from the hills, is there in his kilt to do battle for the honor of his glen with the dancers of the neighborhood, and 'Donald is an old cron}'. Tam, from the farm, is there to see the fun, his sweetheart Jess, and many old faces, whom he has not seen perhaps since he saw them a twelvemonth ago on a similar occasion. He, too, is an old crony, and will perhaps take a turn at the hammer, or the stone, or the cabar, or the quoits—he is seldom a runner, or only a short distance one, but those other trials of strength are an every evening affair behind the “ bothy,” or ploughmen’s whate at the farm. The annual “ games ” are thus patronised so largely more because of the opportunity they give for seeing old friends and for making new ones through the medium of the old, than for any real love the average Scotchman has for the contests as such. But, for all that, he would rebel against any attempt to discontinue them, and should the “games” fall through in one village one year, the crowd of patrons would simply make for the nearest gathering to supply the want. Nothing will tend more readily to the unpopularity of a sports meeting than the absence of pipers and kilted men, and were there no competitors in Highland dancing the sports would be a dead failure.

The Caledonian Society in its annual gathering, gives the Scotchman his “ games ” meeting, and of course every Scotchman in the district makes an effort to i come. But we are not all Scotchmen here, and the Caledonian Society is not by any means made up wholly of Scotchmen, consequently, the sports meeting has to be' made of a kind that will be attractive to others as well as Sandy. Hence several events appear on the programme that would have a place on but few of the Scotch lists. More running prizes are given than would be offered by any Scotch Games Committee, and the arrange ments are made with a view to suit every taste. John Bull likes athletics of every kind, and his likes are aimed at being suited, while Pat is not forgot ten, and he has a chance of airing his cleverness in a jig. ■ THE GATHERING. Immediately on the opening of the gates a rush of people, to the number of 500 or thereby, came on the ground, and this number was increased to nearly x;ooo during the .day. The weather was admirable —bright sun shine with a light breeze—and, as a consequence, the day’s outing was highly! enjoyable. The arrangements were far more complete this year than they were last, and the comfort both of competitors and visitors was fully cared for. The refreshment booths were in the hands of Mrs,- Butler and Messrs. Mutch and McKenzie, while Mr. Thomas- Taylor had his luncheon booth in fine fettle, near the enclosure, with Mr. Hicks at some dis tance, The usual following of shoot ing galleries, &c., \vere also about, and did ; their share of business. The

brass band occupied 'S' site near the dancing platform, and discoursed lively music during the da,y. There were some four or five pipers on the ground, and for the pipe music competition there entered the Society’s piper, Mur doch Elder, Mr. John Mackay, Mr. Alex. Finlayson, and Mr. Alex. Forbes, who at, intervals throughout the day contributed reels and strathspeys in ad dition to playing the music for such Highland dancing as came off to-day. There were a considerable number of Highlanders in costume on the ground. Shortly before noon a small detach pnent (the big, drum and cymbals) of the Ashburton Brass Band, accom panied by four pibrochs, marched on to the ground. At this time the at tendance did not exceed five hundred, but an increasing strain of vehicles, horsemen, and pedestrians freed to wards the games throughout the after noon. The following are particulars of the events decided before we went to

and Fred Mayo also ran. Morsohead led for half the distance, when Organ and Bis cl y rushed to the front, Organ, who ran in quite his old form winning easily. Bisely, tiring in the last fifty yards, let Moreshcad up again at the last hurdle, and they finished in the above order.

Hockler, A. Lechner, 0 ugh ton, Gilmour, Bayliss, Connar, and Risely also ran. After one attempt they got away to a capital start, Lechnerand Hodder loading to within fifty yards of home. Here Groves and Organ made a rush, and secured first and second place respectively. After a splendid struggle, Lechner a good third, and Hodder fourth. Vaulting with the Pole. J. Hunt, Bft din 1 R. Hodder, 7ft lOin 2 F. Morsehead, 7ft din ... ... 8 Jephaon also competed. This event produced a good contest be tween Hunt and Hodder, the former proving victorious after some very pretty vaulting from both. Highland Reel. The following competed ; —J. Mcßae, Jas. Murray, Pelvin McDuff, and T. Forbes. Piper Elder played. Jas. Murray was awarded first prize, and Mcßae second. Half Mile Handicap. . Organ, scratch ... ... ... 1 Groves, 5 yards ... ... ... 2 'Spray, 15 yards ... 3 Risely took the load for the first half of the first lap, and then F. Majm closed with andpassed him, andkepttheleadforawholo turn. Opposite the- winning post Spray was leading, and appeared to be going very strong, but Organ and Groves,| who had been in the ruck till now, put on a tremendous spurt, and Organ got the lead, but Spray still kept second place till about 20 yards from, home. Groves just passed him and got second place by about half a length, Organ being first by six lengths. 1 Throwing the Hammer. The following were entered :—Bros nahan, A. McKay,. G. R. Leadly, S. Millar, and T. Clark. Brosnahan throw it 69 feet, and gained first prize, Mcßae being second. None of the others were measure;!. Running High Leap. E. Mayo, sft. 4in 1 Jephson, sft. Sin. ... ... ... 2 Macfarlane, sft. 2in 4 Hill and Reeves went out at 4ft. sin., Stewart at three inches higher. Jephson could not quite do sft. 41n. and Mayo made a splendid jump and cleared it easily. 100 Yards Mrn’s Rage. X. Anderson ~, ... 1 F. Morsehead ... ... ... 2 Gilmour, Lechner, Oughtcn, Organ, R. M‘Faria no, Brosnahan, Risely, Brown, and A. F. Lechner also fan.

The start was very difficult owing to the eagerness of some of the men to get away, but at last Mr. Wilkie got them off to a capital start, Ike Anderson taking the lead, followed by F. Morsehead, the rest in a ruck, which position they 'maintained throughout. Anderson win ning by about a yard, the same distance being between the second man and the general ruck who could not be placed. Irish Tig.-

Baylis, 10 yards, also ran. Lechner and Bayliss took the lead and maintained it to the turn, when Groves passed them, and came in a winner by about two yards ; Lechner, second ; Organ, third ; Risely, fourth.

SPORTING.

Winslow Cup. The following are the nominations for the above event, to be run on New Year’s Day;— Lady Florence. Minnie Lagmohr Dagrid Darkie Steamer

THE WAR AT THE CAPE.

[Bv Cable.] London, Dec. 24. The latest advices from headquarters at the Cape supplies the officers’ ac count of the disaster there. Two hun dred and fifty men, marching on the town of Pretoria, were attacked by large numbers of Boers, and were almost crushed. Five officers and 120 rank and file were killed and wounded, the remainder being taken prisoners. The colors were saved. The commander urgently applied for reinforcements of cavalry. Capetown, Dec. 24,

Telegrams received from Durban, in Natal, to-day, state that a report has been received there from the Transvaal that the Boers have inflicted a serious defeat on the British troops at Middle burg. The engagement is stated to have been most severe, and that the British were outnumbered, and lost 200 in killed and wounded. Fifty officers and men- were taken prisoners. No official telegrams have yet been received here or in Natal confirming the above report. Dec. 24.

Telegrams from the Transvaal give details of the attack by the Boers onthe British position at Potchefstroom, The news, which came to hand yesterday, states that the fighting was severe, and lasted some time ; but a strong defence was offered by the British troops, and the Boers were ultimately repulsed, with considerable loss. News has been re ceived from Natal that Kinger Boer, the President, has issued a proclama tion which, while deprecating any war with the Boers states that the Boers are determined to assert their independence in the Transvaal.

The Frog as a Bait.

(Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News.) Fishermen will keenly appreciate the sorrows of Henry Strader, who lately went fishing in the Delaware river. The weather had been cruelly hot, and Strader, though an ardent enthusiast, did not feel equal to whipping the stream. Why not try bottom-fishing with a float, and bait with some of the merry little green frogs, which the fish love so well, someone suggested, and Strader determined that he would. He bought a big green float: —a dobber, to use the local—two dozen green frogs, found as shady a place as he could light upon, threw in his float, and waited for the five-pounder. At first it did not come, nor, for the matter of that, did it come afterwards. There was a boy a little way off who pulled up big fish every few minutes, and this did not console Strader. “What do you bait with ? ” he shouted. “ Frogs!” the boy yelled back as he dragged up another fish.. Strader waited and kept on waiting, hour passed after hour and nothing happened, till at last the sun began to set —the little boy had gone home laden with fish some hours before—and Strader arose in wrath, determined to try no more. He pulled up his line. When the dobber was lifted from the water he was amazed to see no line hanging below it. The next instant he wanted to swear. Cosily perched on the big green dobber sat the little green frog. He had become tired of waiting for a bite too, and had left the watery depths and boarded the dobber. There the little reptile sat, placidly gazing at Strader, a little inconvenienced by the hook in his body, but on the whole passing a quiet and not unenjoyable afternoon.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

A REALLY GOOD CASE. [a legend of st. Michael’s hospital.] [continued.] At last, one afternoon I was sitting in Adams’ room in a leisure interval, when a lady’s card was brought in. It had a deep black border, and bore the inscription : “ Mrs. Stead, The Cedars.” She wished to see Mr. Adams. Imme diately afterwards the lady was shown in. Adams motioned me to stay. She was a fine tall woman of fifty, dressed in deep mourning, with hair just turn ing grey, a firm mouth, soft, keen grey eyes, and a face combining intellect and kindness.

“ Have I the pleasure of speaking to Mr.. Adams ?’’ she said. He bowed. She then produced a paper which gave an account of our famous case and of the part Adams had played in it. “ May I inquire whether this patient is still in the hospital ? Can I see her ?”

“ Yes, certainly. Would the lady be able to identify her ? Would it not be better for the patient to see the card first, to avoid sudden excitement; that is, if the lady’s visit were likely to cause excitement?”

“ Perhaps it would be better to take up the card and say that Mrs. Stead desires to see her.”

Wonderfully calm and self-possessed the lady seemed to us, and yet she could not entirely suppress some signs of emotion or excitement. She said that illness in' her family had prevented her from seeing the papers for some time, or she would probably have been here before. - :

I took the card up and showed it to the patient. She turned very pale, then buried her face in her pillow and burst into tears. “ Shall the lady come up ?” I said. I thought she sobbed out “ Yes.” The visitor came : up. Slowly and calmly she walked up the ward. The news had somehow - got about, and several of-the-men found that they had business in that part of the hospital just then. The lady stood by the bed and said softly, “ Elizabeth.” The girl looked up, and their eyes met. One glance at, that face was

enough. “ Yes,” said the lady; “I can identify her.” It is your daughter ?” asked Adams.

“It is my cook,” said the lady, “ Elizabeth Saunders.” I think I said that I only once saw Adams discomposed, and that was on the present occasion. “I—l—thought her name was Stead,” he said, and his eyes rested on a pocket-handkerchief lying on the pillow. The lady’s eyes followed his, and a slight smile played on her features. Yes, it was even so. The acute scientific observer, the far-sighted young surgeon, famed for his diagnostic acumen, had seen through his case, but not through his patient. It turned out that the girl, being remarkably good looking, and having acquired from a previous situation in a raobleman’s family a very correct way of speaking and some very ladyish manners, was fond of dressing up in her holidays and frequent ing places of amusement, where she usually attracted a good deal of atten tion. Her mistress having been called away from home to nurse a sick ( relative, had allowed her servant to go, as she thought, to visit., her parents in the country 5 but the girl, having her wages in her pocket, had preferred to remain with an acquaintance in Lon don, where she enjoyed her-Christmas holidays very much to her own satisfac tion, until her accident put a stop to her manoeuvres, or rather changed her field of action. Finding, as she recovered, that she was being addressed.as “Miss Stead,” and that she was the object of much care and attention, it seems to me—judging by what experience of human nature on its female side I have since acquired—not very remarkable - that she preferred to keep up the de lusion, golden silence being her main line of tactics. And, fair readers, do you think it very contrary to your ex perience of human nature on its male side, that an otherwise exceedingly acute young man should be the subject of a delusion of this particular kind ? The lady spoke very kindly to the girl, and guessing, I fancy, how matters stood, said some very graceful things to Adams. Subsequently, you will perhaps be glad to hear, she a very kind friend to him, and her in fluence was of no small assistance to him in his future professional advance ment. She became, in fact, quite a mother to him, though not a mother in-law.

I really do not know what befel the girl, except that at her own desire the lady obtained for her “ a situation in the country, out of the way of tempta tion,” and that she proved to be a faithful servant.

I am sorry to have to state that public interest in this case at . St. Michael’s somewhat rapidly de clined after Mrs. Steals visit; perhaps because, as the Lancet said, the interest ing symytoms had all disappeared. But I said then, say now, and always will say, that it was, from all points of view, “ a really good case.”— Chambers' Journal.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1880.



press : — Quoits. M'Farlane 1 M'Leod ... 2 Kidd . 0 . Lindsay 0 Open Handicap Hurdl s Race ; 440 yards ; 6 hurdles. F. Organ, scratch ... F. Morsehead, 5 yards 1 2 0. Risely, scratch,... 3 .W Baylis, 0. Jephson, John Conuar,



PlBKOCHS. M. Elder 1 Finlay son ... ... 2 McKay 3 Forbes 4 Grand Handicap, 200 yards. J. Groves, 5 yards 1 F. Organ, scratch ... 2 It. Lechner, 3 yards 3



M. McLaughlan 1 C. Connor ... ... ... ... 2 Cullen, Murray, and Brosnahan also competed. The dancing was good, and the music was the fiddle. Highland Fling. J. Murray ... ... ... ... 1 P. M'Duff ... ... ... ... 2 J. M‘Rae ... 3 These were, the only competitors. 300 Yards Grand Handicap. Groves, 7 yards ... ... ... 1 Lechner, 7 yards ... • ... ... 2 Organ, scratch ... ... ... 3 Gilmour, 3 yards ; Eisely, 3 yards ;



Special Advertisements. O. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* The best value FOR READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BA THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, i Which can be purchased at their Retail ; Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing ■Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch : EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, Manager. PICTURE BUYERS and others will do well to call at my Picture Frame Manufactory, where I keep in stock some - THOUSANDS OF PICTURES, framed and unframed, from Fine Art ; Pictures to Cheap Lithographs. Two • Hundred Patterns of MOULDINGS to select from. Frames made to order, from Is. each. E. BEARDSLEY, '’PICTURE FRAME MANUFACTURER, 1 *■ y ■ and Importer of MOULDINGS, PRINIS, &c Manchester street, Christchurch, ■ • Near the Station. 814 i



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS,



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



Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Multitudes suffering under a complication of disorders might obtain relief through these healing and purifying remedies, which should be employed without a day’s delay. When the weather is variaule and colds and influenzas are prevalent, this Ointment, well rubbed upon the throat and chest, gives the greatest ease, ■ and checks- all,tendency to inflaraation in the lungs and other organs. Tiic Pills assist the curative action of the Ointment, inasmuch as they purify the blood and so quicken its circu lation that congestion is rendered almost im possible. Holloway’s treatment deals most successfully, too, with that very troublesome and often tedious aliment, indigestion, which is the bane of thousands from overwork and fast iving in the present day,— Adyx. ; , '



Another Victim. A gum digger named O’Connor has been burned to death in his whare at Chinaman’s Land ing, Kaihu Creek, Auckland. He sold gum at a flax mill and received Ll2, and went to Kaihu, and returned with drink, which is said to be the cause of his death. Wanted. WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.ra. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 606 ANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined ; and, although' she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by baud, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J, HERN, Range Maker and Importer, corner of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church; Price—£9 10s. , 7QQ WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. ' ' Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 908c—2860 WANTED KNOWN—Just' arrived from England —Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand/ Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ .Joßr-’ nal, and Bow Bellsj la. 6d. each, .Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied atChnsjft church Prices. Colonial and Europeajft Newspapers, School Books,- Stationery,&a A visit solicited. L. F. Andbbwbs, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. . 527



Distemper. —The following is a good recipe for distemper in dogs : —At first symptons give a tea-spoonful of salt and a little sulphur in food. If no improve ment, take four grains calomel, ten grains of jalap ; roll in butter, give as pill. Pups under six months, smaller dose. Suited at Last.—An eccentric English man, long a resident at Paris, has just committed suicide, after having devoted twenty years to a strange mania. Every six months he had a coffin made for him self. Each was too long, too short, or un comfortable in some way, until the ;last proved perfect. Haying no further object in life, he killed himself. Her First Consideration.— “ In the hour of danger woman thinks the least of herself,” said Madame de Stael. True. When the thunder roars, and the light ning flashes, and the big drops come down, the woman who is caught out in. the storm devotes her agony to the thought that her hat and dress will be ruined. Plants in Bedrooms. —The old idea that plants in bedrooms are unhealthy has always been’ a vexed question amongst medical men,, but arguments recently urged tended to show that if plants have any effect at all it is beneficial rather than hurtful. The old idea was based on the fact that plants give off carbonic acid at night, blit latterly the belief has gained ground that there is nothing very deleteri ous in such carbonic acid as they give off, while if their flowers are capable of yield ing odours they may be in reality very beneficial, by producing peroxide of hydrogen, the great sanitary agent of Nature. ■



Meetings. yyAKANU I ROAD. DISTRICT. The ANNUAL MEETING of Rate payer's will be held at the office of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association (show grounds) on THURSDAY, the >6tfa day of January, -1881, at 12 noon; Jto receive financial statement, etc., and to ELECT THREE MEMBERS in' tile room of Messrs. H. T. Winter, Hugo Friedlander, and Joseph Hunt, who retire by ballot, but are eligible for re election. :f _ A Poll, if demanded, will be taken on the same day, closing at 6 p.m, CHAS. C. POORS, • _ Returning Officer,' Ashburton, Dec. 21st, 1880. 787 jy|OUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD; X The ANNUAL MEETING of Rate payers of the Mount Somers District will be held at the Schoolhouse, -Mount Somers, at 12 noon on THURSDAY, January 6th, 1881, for the purpose of laying before the Ratepayers a -statement of receipts and expenditure and the Balance Sheet for the past year, , . . By order, / C. J. WENTWORTH COOKSON, Jon/, 805 Surveyor to the Board. XT pper ASHBURTON ROAD DISTRICT. The ANNUAL MEETING of Rate payers of this District will be held at the Road Board Office on MONDAY, January 3rd, at 12 o’clock noon,-for the! purpose of ELECTING THREE MEMBERS' in the place of Messrs. D. McLean; M. Stitt, and Arch. McColl, who retire by rotation! but are eligible for;re-election.: r ;vl A Poll, if demanded-, will take place the same day, closing at 4 o’clock p.m. ~ D. McLEAN,- 4 - 781 Chairman,.