SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Saturday. Annie, cutter, from Wanganui. Emerald, ketch, from Foxcon. Waipara, s. s., from Greymoutli. Elizabeth, ketch, from Wellington. To-day. Hawea, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Saturday. Stella, O.G. s.s., for Akaroa. Hawea, s.s., for 'Wellington. Reward, schooner, for Nelson. Pelican, schooner, for Wellington. Seagull, brigantine, for Mannkau. Croydon Lass, for Waicapu. Malay, barque, for Newcastle. Dido, schooner, for Fox ton. Clio, schooner, for Waitapu. Edwin Bassett, barque, for Newcastle. Gatlin, ketch, for Gatlin’s River. Emperor, brig, for Newcastle. Examiner, barque, for Greymoutli. Clematis, ketch, for Timaru. Cleared. Saturday. Pet, barque, forNewcasde. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s ship AVaimate left London on October 23rd for this port, with twenty-seven pas sengers. She passed Deal next day, and was off the Isle of Wight on the 25th. The Euterpe left Gravesend on October 25th, for Wellington, and the Coromandel on the 29th ; the Margaret Galbraith for Auckland on the 29th, and the Palala for Otago, October 30th. The s.s. Northumberland, 1,358 tons, Captain Babot, left Gravesend for Wel lington on October 23rd, and Plymouth on the 25th, consigned to the Now Zea land Shipping Company. She has between 140 and 150 passengers. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Saturday. Arrived—Ketch Speedwell, from Nor folk Island. We llington, Dec. 18. Arrived —Grafton, from the South. Sailed —Alexa, barque for Napier. Hokitika, Dec. 19. Arrived—Star of the South and Spray, roin Northern ports. Port Chalmers, Dec. 10. Arrived—AVanaba, from the North ; Anthons, brigantine, from Greymoutli. Sailed —Freetrader, barque, for Hobart Town. London, Dec. 17. Arrived —Orient, s.s., from Australia.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:—

Tuesday, December 21. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Tararua, at 1.50 p.m. ; late fee letters, 2.10 p.m. ; guard’s van, 2.-10 p.m. train. For Northern Ports, per Wanaka, at 1.50 p.m. ; late fee letters, 2.10 p.m. ; guard’s van, 2.40 p.m. train. For Chatham Islands, per Stella. Friday, December 24.

For Northern Ports, per Penguin, at 7.30 p.m. ; guard’s van, 8.30 p.m. train. A supplementary mail per Penguin for late fee letters only will be closed on Saturday, 25th December (Christinas Day), at 7-30 p.m. Friday. December 31.

For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, &c., as under : —Money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m.; books and newspapers, at 9 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 be posted in the guard’s van attached to the 8.30 p.m. train on Saturday, January 1. On Saturday, Ist January (New_ Year’s Day), all branches of the Post Office will be closed.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, December 21. J. T. Ford and. Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Sheep and Cattle. Friday, December 24. Mr. T. Bullock —Usual Weekly Sale. 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 20. Fire Brigade, Meeting, at the Council Chambers, at 8 p. m. To-morrow, Tuesday, December 21.

Degree Temple, Fortnightly Meeting, Templar Hall, at 8 p. in. Wednesday, December 22. Arch Purple Meeting, Templar Hall, 7.30 p. m

Tuesday, January 4,

Longbeach Road Board—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Road Board Office, at 12 noon.

Wednesday, January o. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p. in, ] ■ ■^jee«^v}ATßsa3<tu^garaaaj«MMggaßgae!PLfirHwaMJuawM

The Ashburton Guardian. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1880. The Irish Cloud.

There is now a cloud overhanging Ireland which is warlike in its portent, and as the days creep on and the cloud

developes, it becomes deeper and darker and evermore threatening. “ More troops for Ireland ” is an ominous headline of daily recurrence, and appears to be the preliminary of an iron treatment of the unfortunate coun try’s disorders. Ireland is far away from these shores, and there are some perhaps who may think her affairs can but lightly influence ours. But she has many sons in this colony—thousands of them—who have sought our shores as a refuge from the same grievances that are now stirring up their country men to agitation, and to a threatened defiance of the Government that rules them. Let us try briefly to review those grievances, and what has led to the

tumults that now distract once more the unhappy country and brought a Liberal Government face to face with the burn ing Irish question. The chief of those grievances may perhaps suffice, as it is the one that has more directly led to the trouble, and that chief grievance is the one of land. The difference be tween land tenure in Ireland and land tenure in England and Scotland is of so marked a nature that, when it is thoroughly understood, lie would be a a man with a very sodden soul indeed who would condemn the Irish farmer for writhing under its operation. In England and Scotland, before a land lord offers a farm for letting, he finds it necessary to provide a suitable farm house. braidings, &c., for the proper working of the farm. He puts the ga ! es and fences into good order, and he takes upon himself a great part of the burden of keeping the buildings in repair during the term of the lease, and the rent is fixed with all this in view. Special contracts departing from the above arrangement are sometimes made, to be sure, but these are ex ceptional, and we think we have fairly described the English and Scotch rule. Wholly different is the rule in Ireland. The general practice is that the Irish landlord builds neither dwelling-house nor farm offices, and does nothing in the way of fencing before he lets his land to a tenant. All this has to be done by the tenant himself, except in excep tional cases, and he also has to include in his improvements, all such things as drainage, deep trenching, and manur ing. Without those buildings, fences, &c., on a farm no English or Scotch tenant could be found to take a lease, and to them the Irish system is simply inconceiveable. There is difficulty in generally applying the English and Scotch usage to Irish farms, which are generally let in small holdings of a few acres, and there are other reasons as well. But it is just upon those small holdings that the farmer feels all the more the grip of adversity. So long as he has a good harvest, and is getting an average return from the soil he culti vates, he is moderately content. Such capital as he had he invested in a cabin, and in such “ improvements ” as he could afford, and from his crop he pays the rent, and lives. Previous to 187 S the tenants had been improving in regard to the remuneration they were receiving from their holdings, but that year brought with it failure of crops, and its successor brought famine. The land yielded no surplus, out of which either rent or debt could be paid. They were left (as many readers of the Irish famine accounts will doubtless remember) literally without a penny. No money in their houses, nobody owing them anything—nothing coming to them ; while the year’s rents, and perhaps arrears, were due, with an account of more or less magnitude at the village store. All that is left to the poor man is the cabin he has erected on his small holding, the sheds he has put up for live stock, a few fences, and some need ful drains and ditches. These are the results of the toil of the best part of his life. It is just here that the nature of the land tenure operates so cruelly upon the tenant, and threatens to plunge the country into rebellion. It is just here that we find the origin of the agrarian murders and other outrages that render Irish resident landlordism such a hazardous thing. AVhen the poor tenant is thus reduced to his last ex tremity, what happens? Let the pro cess serving of which we read so much last year and this year be the explana tion. The poor farmer is evicted— thrown out. Himself, his wife, his children, and perhaps an old father and mother, or other relative with whom the young people would willingly share their last crust, are expelled from the cabin they themselves erected, to spend their first homeless night on the nearest public road, or in the ditch by the side of it. All the little “ improvements ” in which the farmer invested his few pounds, or only shillings it may be, of cash capital, and his years of toil capital, are confiscated, and nothing remains for him and his family but to starve, or avoid starvation by such means as he may. This is no fancy picture, but one that was only too common during last year and the early part of the one just closing. And it was only because nearly every farmer in the country had more or less felt the sharp bite of the Irish land laws that the present agitation is being made. Yet those scenes are not new. They have been common to Ireland for many years, and will continue, we fear —judg- ing from the Lords’ rejection of the Irish Tenants Compensation Bill— until some great upheaval shakes the country to its very centre, and shows that only for a time can human suffering endure. This upheaval, as we said at the outset, seems near at hand. The Irishmen have many grievances to redress, and a man with hungry stomach himself, his little ones crying for food, the. home he built taken from him before his eyes, and himself and all near and dear to him bundled into the highway to starve, is not likely to be the most cautious or the most reason ing man in creation. We shall be sorry if he takes to rebellion for redress, for against the British Power in arras his cause is hopeless. But what is Britain’s duty in the matter ? The ac cumulated evils of centuries cannot be wiped out at one stroke of the pen, but much may be done by judicious reform to remedy many of them. The first duty of Government will be to punish the murderers and the criminals; the second will be to remove the grievances which are the spawning grounds from which the agrarian mur ders spring. It is peculiar that while Lord Beaconsfield’s Government — no friends of Ireland—were in office and carrying out their “ spirited foreign policy,” they were not disturbed with,

the Irish trouble.- As soon, how - ver, as the only really friendly Administra tion that. Ireland has yet experienced comes into power, and essays to deal with the question of her wrongs, it gets its hands full of a threatened rebel ion. To the Land Leaguers and the Home Rulers the framers of the Irish Tenants’ Compensation Bill might naturally look for support and aid in helping Ireland, but we find the leader of the agitation addressing 40,000 Irishmen boding over with intense feeling, and speaking of the Secretary for Ireland as a hypo crite, holding the British Premier re sponsible for the assassinations of Irish landlords and the prevailing reign of murderous terror. When he says that the only remedy for Ireland’s woes is Irish self-government to end English misrule, he asks revolt, and invokes upon the Irish people unspeakable woe. Whether Parnell calls what he wishes autonomy, or other agitators call it Home Rule, when such language is used in connection with it, it can only he obtained through streams of b’.ood, and we are forced to the conclusion that the leaders of such an agitation have less the people’s welfare at heart than the success of their own crotchets and the gratification of their own feelings. The mitigation of IreLnd’s wrongs' are only practicable under an administration friendly to the country. Such a friend has Mr. Gladstone all along proved, and if the Irish leaders could but be persuaded to look at him in that light and work with him, the time we think has come when much that would ameliorate Ireland’s condi tion could be procured without the shedding of a drop of blood, ami the first concession would be the pioneer of many yet to come.

Tenders. —To-day the Borough Council calls for tenders for several work;, the most important of which is tha for asphalting the East street footpaths.

The Tiki Tiri Accident. —At the in quest on the body of Alfred Leith, tho victim of the Tiri Tiri accident, tho jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental death.” Pardoned. Tho man Edwards, a prisoner in the Dunedin gaol, who, as mentioned in our telegrams on Saturday, gallantly rescued a girl from drowning at Port Chalmers, has been pardoned.

School Examination. To-day the Revs. Messrs. Beattie and Hands an ’. Mr. Joseph Ward have been busy examining the children at the Ashburton school. It is expected that the examination will last over the next two days, but the exami ners will be strengthened by the addition to their number to-morrow of tho Rev. Charles Fraser. The prizes will be dis tributed probably on Thursday afternoon, in the schoolroom, the annual concert following in the evening.

Captain William Jackson Barry Tho aspiring Captain Barry has found lecturing a mockery and a snare, and has taken once more to the shambles. Doubt less it will be more profitable for him to slaughter and cut up Otagan oxen and sheep than to slaughter the Queen’s English on a platform. Anyhow, blood fresh from a newly killed bullock is less disagreeable a bespattering than arc the yoke and glaire of eggs of very “ uncer tain ago.”

The Monthly Talkue-Talkee. —The natives appear to be getting tired of the monthly meeting at Parihaka, if we may judge by the following telegram from tho Press Association agent at New Plymouth : —At tho Parihaka meeting, there was only a small attendance of natives. Te Whiti’s speech was of no political significance, and, so far as can be learnt, no allusion was made to tho Opunake murder. The meeting was of short duration, and the few natives who had visited Parihaka soon dispersed. Only one or two Euro peans were present. ”

Treasure Trove. To-day Mr. St. Hill started to tear up the flooring of the Somerset verandah, preparatory to the laying down of a sheet of asphaltc in its place by Mr. Bradley. The wooden flooring has been in its place for many a day, and the door of a public-house is just tho place whore occasionally a shilling or two may he dropped, and the coins may bo likely to find their way through the flooring chinks, and be lost for ever to the losers. In the hope of finding some treasure trove of this kind quite a rush was made by the “ men at the corner” when the floor was lifted, but only some three or four shillings mid a carpenter’s rule rewarded tho “ diggers.”

Life Assurance. —We have received the eleventh annual report of the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, Limited, which shows that the vigorous policy adopted by the management lias been, in an eminent degree, successful. The business for the year just closed greatly exceeds that of any previous year since the Association was established. A large expenditure has been incurred in extending the business, but instead of treating the whole or a portion of this as an asset the directors have preferred writ ing the whole of it off in the year’s ac counts. and still show that an amount exceeding L 34,000 has been added to the funds of the Association during the twelve months.

The Yeomanry Cavalry.— We under stand that the local officer of the Canter bury Yeomanry Cavalry, Mr. J. Stanley Bruce, has resigned his commission, and the contingent is temporarily under the command of Sergeant G. E. Scott. Re garding the annual three days’ training, which is this year to take place at Ran giora, a Christchurch contemporary has the following On the 28th, the members of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry will muster for three days’ training at Han giora. It is expected that at least one hundred men of the various contingents will be on parade. The southern portion of the troop will bo metal Kaiapoi during the afternoon of tho 28th. Arrangements have been made for the men to mess at Roberts’ Junction Hotel, and to sleep at the various hotels in Rangiora. The drill will be carried out on one of the public reserves.

I. O. G. T. Deputation.— Tho Welling ton Post of Saturday gives the following report of a deputation from the Grand Lodge of New Zealand 1. O. G. T., which waited on the Government in reference to the licensing laws;—Dr. Roseby pointed out that much more might be done towards the mitigation of intemperance than at present obtains if the existing laws were more stringently enforced. Sunday traffic was carried on in a most open manner. Ho admitted that there was a difficulty in sheeting home offences of this kind, but this arose from the provisions made for proving the case. With regard to the local option provisions in tho Bill of last session, these had given very general sa tisfaction, though they would like to see the provisions extended to existing houses, so as not only to check the evil but to diminish it. Tho Premier said that until the system had been tried, and public opinion was stronger in this direction, Government could not promise to go fur ther than local option regarding now houses. Government were as anxious as anyone to check intemperance, and in structions would be given to the police to strictly enforce the present provisions of the licensing law. The Ministers present were the Premier and Minister of Justice, and among the members of the deputation were Messrs Sando and Andrews, of Ash burton

A Correction. Router’s agent at Adelaide sends the following correction to a cablegram which appeared in our Saturday’s issue:—For new wheat, 3s. 5d., road 4a. sd. For freight to London, sail ing, 505., read 455, Borough Council. —Monday and Tues day, the 27th and 28th hist., being holi days, the Borough Council will not meet on the usual meeting night, but will as semble on Wednesday the 29th. On Monday evening, the Town Clerk will at tend as usual, and in accordance with the Municipal Corporations Act, will for mally adjourn the meeting till the follow ing Wednesday.

Winslow Sports. — A Committee meet ing in connection with the above sports was held on Saturday evening last. There was a fair attendance, and a considerable amount of business was transacted. The ground Committee reported as to what was required to be done to the course, and the work was ordered to be done. The Secretary reported the amounts of the several tenders received by him for the confectioner’s booth. Mr. Thomas Taylor's tender was accepted at L 4 for the day. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to tho chair. A full programme can bo seen in another column.

New Candidate. —Mr. A. S. Collins addressed the suburban electors at Rich mond on Thursday night. There was a full attendance. Ho said that he would not pledge himself to support any men, but spoke in favor of the present Ministry, deprecating the conduct of the Grey Go vernment. He advocated retrenchment, but said that the ten per cent, reduction all round was but a bungling attempt to do right. He spoke warmly in favor of the Royal Commission. There was much applause during the speech, and a vote of thanks was accorded tho candidate. Wakanui Sports. —On Saturday even ing a meeting was held at the Wakanui School to consider the advisability of hold ing athletic sports on New Year’s Day. The meeting was very well attended, amongst those present being Messrs. Jas. Brown, A. G. Earle, Leadley, E. Thomas, W. Lines, C. Hill, jun., and J. Kilgour. Mr. Kilgour was voted to the chair, and after lie had stated the object for which the meeting had been called; Mr. J. Brown proposed and Mr. E. Thomas seconded “ That a committee be formed to make arrangements to hold athletic sports on New Year’s Day.” The resolution being put to the meeting, was carried. Several gentlemen were in favour of an amalgamation with the Sea field and Elgin districts. Mr. Thomas disagreed, saying that he did not see why Wakanui should not stand alone in its glory, possessing as it did both good ground and men. The following gentlemen were elected members of the committee :- Messrs. J. Kilgour, E. Thomas, AV. Cockle, J. Sturgeon, C. Hill, jun. A long discussion took place as to having the school children’s ground sepa rate from that of the men. Mr. Earle spoke in favor of this, and it was ulti mately decided to hold the men’s and children’s sports on tho same course. Mr. Leadley proposed—“ That this meeting do now adjourn, and leave the drawing up of the programme and the management to the committee. ” This being seconded by Mr. Kilgour and carried, the meeting adjourned, after passing the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Renteds Agency.) Commercial.

London, Dec. 17.

The total quantity of wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,000,000 quarters. Best Australian beef tallow, per cwt, 335. 6d. ; best mutton tallow, 365.; best Sydney copra, Lx6 per ton ; best Australian leather, itd. Mr. Parnell’s Defence. 1.i,000 has been subscribed for th e defence of Air. Parnell and the othe r Land Leaguers, to be tried at Dublin. A Vote of Thanks. The Government has thanked Ad miral Seymour for the manner in whieh he conducted the movements of the combined fleet when engaged in the demonstration against Turkey re deli vering up Dulcigno to Montenegro. Arrest of Students. Four hundred students have been arrested at Moscow on suspicion of being connected with Nihilism. Still Another. Amsterdam, Dec. 17. The Dutch Government is making preparations for sending out an Arctic expedition. The Better Way. Athens, Doc. 17. Greece has declined to negotiate with Turkey, and England has proposed that the difficulties between the two countries be settled by arbitration on the part of the Great Powers.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter s Agency.) A Salted Invoice.

Melbourne, Dec. 19.

The Commissioner of Trade and Customs has fined a merchant Li,soo for passing false invoices, being below the value of the goods represented.

A Call of the House.

Melbourne, To-day.

The Government has decided to make a call of the House for January 18th on the occasion of the second reading of the Reform Bill in the Assembly.

The South Australian Parliament. The South Australian Parliament meets on the 4th January.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Depends on His Testimonals. Auckland, 'To-rlay. Mr. Stuart, of Timaru, will bo appointed English master at the Auckland Grammar School, if he can produce satisfactory testimonials from 1870 to 1878. Blood Stock. Intelligence received by the Auckland Stud Company, states that Sir Hercules Robinson has bought seven choice mares in England for stud purposes, from Lord Falmouth’s Middle Park Stud, five being in foal to crack sires. Another Dynamite Accident. A boy on Saturday picked up a dyna mite cap, and endeavored to prick it.but with a steel instrument, when it exploded, shattering his hand. Wesleyan Conference. The Wesleyan Conference meets at Nelson on January 21. More Gold. The discovery of an auriferous reef is reported near the Waiwira Springs, and a ton stone has been sent to the Thames to be tested. Fire, Wellington, To-day. The large boarding house known as York House had a narrow escape from destruc tion this morning. At 4.30 p. m. fire was discovered in an unoccupied bedroom, but was extinguished before it got a firm hold of the building, -

Supreme Court. Timaru, To-day.

The Supreme Court opened to-day. Judge Johnston commented on the light ness of the calendar. Charles Williams, for stealing a watch, and Frederick Nel son, for a similar offence, were sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment each— making twelve months altogether, they having been five months awaiting trial. A grand juryman named Frazer, detained by important business, was fined L 5. A Good Price. The Caledonian Sports privileges fetched L 42.

SPORTING.

D.J.C. Annual Meeting. Dunedin, Doc. 19. The following are the acceptances for the— .

D.J.C. Handicap. — Sylvanus, Titania, Hornby, Governor, Mischief, Lo Louj., Volunteer, Randwick, Lon ;lands, Sir Modrcd, Hilarious, Lady Emma, Foul Play, Natator, Grip, Virginia Water, Luna.

Publicans’ Handicap. —Sylvanus, Van duara, Governor, Luna, Randwick, Li beller, Sir Modred, Hilarious, Lady Emma, Nam-tor, On Dit, Virginia AVater, Adamant, Nautilus.

Dunedin Cup. —Titania, Sylvanus Adamant, King Quail, Hornby, Fishhook, Governor, Mischief, Le Loup, Luna Volunteer, Randwick, Ariel, Norseman Miss Domett, Longlands, Sir Modred

Hilarious, Lady Emma, Grip, On Dit, Virginia Water.

CORRESPONDENCE.

AVf. do not hold ourselves responsible for the . opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE MEMBER FOR COLERIDGE.

To the Editor. Sir, —When docs Mr. AYright intend to address his constituents ?—I am, &c. Snooks.

A Model Swiss Prison.

A Geneva correspondent writes that the looseness with which the custody of con victed criminals is administered in the canton of Schwytz is simply appalling. If the facts were not avouched by a trust worthy paper published in the district, the Frein Schweitzer, it would be difficult to believe that the state of things it de scribes could exist in any European country. The only prison in Schywtz is an old farmhouse. In it are confined malefactors of both sexes and every class, if they can be said to be confined, for it would seem they only remain where they are because they find themselves better off than they wotdd bo at their homes— those of them who have any. The care of these criminals is confided to a head jailer, a serjeanfc of police and a nun. As, however, the two men spend nearly all their evenings and a good part of the days at the baths of S woe won, the duties of the establishment devolve principally on their lady colleague. The prisoners are permitted to go out and come in at their pleasure, and the mm is in the habit of making occasional pilgrimages with re pentant infanticides to a neighbouring shrine. Only one man, a creature named Maechler, who eighteen months ago was condemned to imprisonment for a murder of unspeakable brutality, seems to have been kept under bolt and bar. But little by little he insinuated himself into his jailor’s good graces, persuaded her by pro testations of repentance and a show of religious zeal to relax her vigilance, and in tho end she actually allowed him to work outside tho house like tho others. Early one morning a short time since, he was sent to fetch water, but quietly walked off in the direction of Sweowcn. AVhen ho did not return the sergeant of police ordered a strong detachment of jail-birds to follow and bring him back. Late in the evening they returned, after an unsuccessful chase. The next day the head jailer himself, with four prisoners, went oft'in quest ; but they were not more successful than the others, which, if the statement of the Preie Schweitzer that they came back far from sober be true, is perhaps not very surprising. It is scarcely necessary to say that Maechler is still at large.

Russia’s Future Ruler.

What may he in store for Turkey, Ger many, or Austria indeed for Great Britain itself—from the moment the helm of the Russian State ship shall be confided to the vigorous grasp of Alexander Alex androvich no man can say. The Czaro vich is a Prince cast in a very different mould from that which shaped his weak, amiable, easily-influenced sire. He is known to entertain fixed opinions, resolves, and projects, and to adhere to them with all the tenacity of a singularly determined and self-relying nature. Of his fervent faith in the Panslavistio dogmas no doubt has boon entertained since ho came to manhood by those who know him best; and his antipathy to all German men and things is no less notorious than his sym pathy with the attractive qualities of the French nation. He is believed by his countrymen to be, before all else, a* true and uncompromising Russian patriot; to hold in horror the system of. peculation, bribery, and administrative fraud that has honeycombed the Empire during the last two reigns, and brought it to the brink of ruin; to have set his face in particular against abuses of their high station prac ticed hitherto with impunity by certain of his own near relatives, and to have vowed himself to the mission, as far as the internal affairs of his native land are concerned, of extirpating, root and branch, the countless abominations tolerated by his father, with what results the Nihilistic movement has only too terribly demon strated. The Russian Crown Prince, under whatever title he may assume the active government of his imperial heritage, c»regent or other, is generally expected to come forward as a radical reformer at home, and as a vigorous promoter of the Panslavistio programme abroad. Should he realise the anticipations at present entertained on his account, it is more than probable that Russia’s neighbors in Europe and in Asia will, in the course of a few years to come, find ample reason to regret the romantic union that is about to lead to Alexander Nicolaievich’s renunciation of imperial sway in favor of Alexander Alexandrovich.—London Telegraph.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

PATIENT KITTY, [Continued.] It appeared afterward that he had not been to bed the previous night at all, but had sat up where I found him, and shortly after daylight had com mitted the fatal deed ; but at that time so overcome was 1 by the shock that I understood little beyond the fact that the unhappy man, whose life had been one at least of good intentions, and which had certainly been actuated by good principles, had put an end to his existence by his own hand. All busi ness was of course suspended for that day, and I was obliged to tell Kitty what had occurred (and indeed I could hardly have kept so sad, a secret to myself) to explam my return home at such an unusually .early hpur. : All she said was, “ God forgive him !’’ and then, as if involuntarily, “My poor Fred !” which showed whither the thoughts of her bruised head were tending still.

I was of course a witness at the in quest, where the fact of Mr. Raynor’s suicide was clearly proved, and; attri buted, as was natural, to perturbation of mind induced by his sudden change of fortune acting upon an enfeebled system. The day after the funeral I was sent for by the surviving partners, when the following particulars were communi cated to me. Jacob Raynor had shot himself from remorse. It was he, and not the son, who had robbed his em ployers, and poor Fred had known it and sacrificed himself for his father’s sake. All this was stated in a letter written by the unhappy man before he destroyed himself. “I am the gultiest wretch alive,’’ it said, “ and the most cowardly ; but it was to save me from the fate which is now about to over come me, that my Frederic accepted undeserved shame. He knew that I could never survive exposure, after my long and public professions of goodness and well-doing. They were not my professions in a false sense, for I believed in the utility of what I ad vocated, but an overweening vanity consumed me : I wished to be looked up to, not only as the deviser and agent of good institutions, but as their patron; the money I stole from my employers was really dedicated to this end. I robbed that I might give the money away to deserving objects and gain a name for practical benevolence. If you think that a proof of madness you will be charitable indeed. The money was not much, though it might have grown to be so, had not the discovery taken place so early. This pistol has been in my hand before. My son found it there, and said, ‘ Let me bear the burden, father, and you live on.’ That I let him do so was a far meaner act even than the robbery of my kind employers, yet I infamously survived it. I saw him leave his native land in shame and ignominy; I knew that he was parting for ever from the girl he loved; I knew that I was plunging others into unmerrited misery; but what was that, to me, who did not spare my own flesh and blood? For four years I have dragged on a wretched existence, poisoned by the knowledge of my own vileness, and made more wretched still by the good opinion men expressed of me; till at last you, my employers, heaped such benefits upon my un worthy head that even I could no longer bear them. I know now the full meaning of that phrase ‘as coals of fire ’ when applied to unmerited good will, and 1 have found them insupport able. When you read this I shall.be a' dead man. The L 2,000 you have given me in such mistaken kindness is untouched, and will of course return to you. I have earned nothing at your hands ; but let a dying sinner appeal to you in favor of the innocent. My poor Fred! my poor Fred! forgive me, forgive—” The letter had no conclu sion, but the bottom of its page was splashed and smeared with blood. 1 dropped it (it had been placed in my hands by Mr. Halland) with a gesture of disgust; but not because of its red finis. My soul was filled with loathing against the wretch who had sacrificed his only son rather than take the con sequences of his own misdeed, and for the moment poor Frederic’s wrongs out weighed with me those of Kate herself What Roman, what Spartan, of them all had ever performed a nobler act ' of self-denial than this, to give up his good name, his love, and his country; to save a father’s character from well-merited disgrace ! What injuries had this old man wrought all around! and among them this personal wrong, that he had caused me to doubt the honor of my dearest friend, and to desert him in the, hour of need. And oh, what misery for all these years had my sweet, patient Kitty suffered ! Mr. Halland’s grave voice inter rupted these angry thoughts. “We have sent for you, Mr. Clayton,” he said, “to put you in possession of the contents of that sad letter, because we thought that the revelation was due to you. It has been made known to no one else, and I need not say that we look to you, in the interests of a wronged and innocent man, to preserve the secret. We do not know how things may have gone with your poor sister—”

Here he paused and looked toward his brother, who struck in

“ Mr. Clayton could relieve us from some of our embarrassment in this matter by telling us frankly how things stand at home.”

Then I told them, not without some bitterness, how Kitty’s life had been wrecked by the blast of ill report, though even yet she did not believe it; how the few years that had intervened since Frederic’s exile had been as half a lifetime to her ; and that when she died it would be this miserable wretch who had cut short her days. “ The man is dead,” said Mr. Hal land, softly. “Yes,.sir; but his deeds live after him.” “ Your wrath is just,” put in the younger brother; “still, something, may yet be done in the way of remedy. We shall telegraph this day to Frederic Raynor, to summon him to take his father’s place here; it is at once the least and most, we can do fprrhi.ii.; If we can add, however, that your sister’s heart is still within his keeping— ’’ T “ But suppose that his; own'.Teelihgs are changed ?” suggested Mr. Halland.

“ That would place the young lady ill an embarrassing position.” .■ ; “ To be sure, 1 had forgotten that,” returned the other, with a touch of color; he was known to have been happy in his choice of a wife, and when that is so, men arc apt to believe in the fiedlity even of their own sex. On my return home I found a strange alteration in Kitty’s face. It was always pale enough now, poor soul; it looked careworn, though never grief worn. But now her sweet eyes were rod and swollen, and her cheeks showed the traces of many tears. Unable to endure the spectacle of her misery, I bade her a hasty good-night, and was about to take my bed-candle when she suddenly put this question, “ Have you no message for me, Frank ?” “Message, darling? No. What .news did you expect ?’’ ■ * “ I did not say ‘ news,’ ” replied she in a strange tone of suppressed triumph. “ It . would be no news to me to hear that Fred was innocent. I knew [ that all along.” “ Mr. Haliand has been here, then !” cried I, in astonishment. “He has told jou what has happened.” She shook her head, and from her bosom pulled out a telegram wet with tears. It was from Frederic, and had arrived an hour ago. “I am coming home, love,” Not a word else, lie had not troubled himself to add, “ My innocence is, establishedit would have been two sovereigns thrown away. At that moment a hansom dashed up to the door, and the next moment I •heard the voice of the younger Mr. Haliand asking the servant if I was at home. I knew at once that Frederic had sent bis reply to his private house, and that this good man had driven over to me at once upon the receipt of it. “It is all right, Mr. Clayton,” whispered he, as he grasped my hand. “He comes home by the next steamer.”

He came up-stairs, and—well, to make it clear, I suppose, how matters stood, or perhaps it was a part of Fred’s message that lie had to deliver—he kissed Kitty ; and we sat up talking till past midnight. But not. a word did we ever teU her of that question, “ Are you free ?” which had been sent so un necessarily across the world. It was the intention of the firm, John told us, since they felt that a man with such an exceptional sense of duty as Frederic Raynor was invaluable, to put him in his father’s place; while in the two months that must intervene before his arrival in England their attention would be devoted to the selection of a wedding present for their junior partner. “ My wife, Miss Clayton, will do her self the honor—for such she will feel it—of calling on you to-morrow,” were his last words. -•

I had no conception that “ Johnny,” as we clerks used, to call him, was such a noble fellow. :

The next day we were all summoned before the partners,-and informed that a grave and terrible mistake had been made in the dismissal of Frederic Raynor, who had been proved wholly innocent of the crime laid to his charge. But. not a word was said as to the actual offender ; and though all sorts of surmises and suspicions were of course excited among my fellow-clerks, not one of them ever dreamed of accusing that exemplary and public spirited man, Jacob Raynor, for whom, indeed, a sym pathy greater than ever was now aroused from the sense that he had been hur ried to his death by .the calumny that had exiled his only son. And here was manifested the wisdom of making Fred a partner, for in any lower position he would have been exposed To some painful interrogations concerning the true culprit which now no one would dare put to him when it was once understood that he wished to be silent on the point. It was felt by both em ployers—or, as I may now say, by his co-partners —that the chief point to be aimed at for Frederic’s sake was to keep that secret, for which he had already sacrificed so much, from the world at large. (To be continued.)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1880.



Special Advertisements. The best value FOR READY MONEY is THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can ho 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 STRE ET . WM. SPARROW, Manager. 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*



Whipping Women.— They are slightly in advance of. us in the United States in relation to the use of the lash, A corres pondent of a New York contemporary re marks, with reference to a proposal for the restoration of the whipping, post for men who beat and otherwise maltreat their wives, that it is a good suggestion, for wife beating is a brutal practice. But he would also recommend the use of the same whipping post for women who will fully neglect their households and spend their time and their husbands’ earnings hi the many lager beer, saloons and the horrible bucket shops with which the city abounds. It is cold comfort, he truly comments; to a man coming home from a hard day’s work to find his wife drunk, his children neglected, and, perhaps, no supper, uyith a ready tongue adding insult tq injury.



A sermon can be too short. It should be long enough for the women to take mental notes of all. the new styles out.— New Haven Register. This is Congressman Horr’s little ditty on Sunset Cox : Beneath this slab lies the great Sam Cox, Who was wise as an owl and brave as an ox ; Think it not strange his turning to dust, For he swelled and he swelled till he finally “bust.” Just where he has gone, or just how he fares, Nobody knows and nobody cares ; But wherever he is, be he angel or elf, Be sure, dear reader, he’s puffing himseif. Holloway’s Pills.—Mind and body are so closely enlertwined that for the former to be vigorous the latter must be healthful. The first step towards the maintenance of health is to secure perfect digestion, which is readily obtained by this nbted medicine, the most com petent cftectually to rcstrahi every adverse Influence which can mar, impair, or vexatiously modify this all-important process.. The student, merchant, man of pleasure, and humblest labourer may each in turn derive vigour, ease, and strength from occasional doses, or a longer course of Holloway’s purifying Pills. However waved g the mind, orunstrung the nerves this fine medicine will trade the derangement to its sourse, where it: will over throw it and established order and purity in its lace —Advt.



Wanted. WANTED— A good General SER VANT. Apply, Office of this Paper. 752 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 arc beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, 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. 700 WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. .Bossenberg, .-and is making extensive repairs. Buggies; andjsaddle horses on hire. - Lowest prices and best attention. ; : : ■ 908c—286g AS^TANTEI); RNQWN—Just arrived; VV from New Year, and Birthday Zealand ; Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. Gd. each. Family Herald and, Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. , Colonial and European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery, &c. A ifisit solicited. L. F. Anmiewes, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527



Meetings. Fire . brigade. — a full meet ING wSfibe held at the COUNCIL CHAMBERS SPEight p.m. on MONDAY, Evening. Plain clothes. No excuses accepted, 7G6 JAMES WILKIE Captain. I M /OI m UNITY DEGREE . VJ.\JT. JL . TEMPLE The next meeting will be held on TUESDAY NEXT, the 21st inst., at 8 p.m., in the Templar Hall. Third .degree. Thoaias, Williams, D.T. _ ,762 AN ARCH PURPLE MEETING Will be held in the Templar Hall ron WEDNESDAY Evening, at 7.30 o’clock. Visiting Brethren are invited. to. attend. 777 By order of the W. M. Amusements. fjl OW N HALL, ASHBURTON. "WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22. Positively for this night only 1 FIRST APPEARANCE of . ■ / PROFESSOR AND MADAME Haselmayer, [ In their latest and unrivalled sensations; ,;/. Now playing at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, to crowded and, fashionable audiences. A chaste- and ? refined Enter tainment. Professor Haselmayer,the Prince of Wizards, will introduce the most astounding Illusions of the nine teenth century, including PSYCHO, the Mysterious Cabinet, the Wonderful Drum; the Stylocarfe, Educated Birds and Mice, &c., &c. This is a delightful Entertainment for Ladies and Children. Prices—3s., 25./ and Is. 774 R. W. CART, Manager. ’; 1 • Lost. £1 Reward. ; LOST, from Wakanni, on Monday, - November Ist, One Chestnut HACK, branded HD on the left shoulder, with hollow back. Last seen in the direction of Barrhill.—-Anyone returning him to Fkiedlander Bros, will receive . ... the above Reward. 487 v ;p For Sale. FOR SALE, BY TENDER. mHE GOODWILL and PLANT of.a .J.. first-class LIVERY STABLE/ to-P gether with a Line of Royal Mail Coaches in full running order. Tenders are invited for the purchase of a Coaching and Livery Business, carrying the Royal Mails between the Orari Rail way Station and- the Waihi Bush, jria,r-j Geraldine, together with all necessary ’' plant, including Two Coaches, capable of carrying twenty-five passengers each; Double and Single Buggies, Brake!,- Twelve superior Horses, Harness; &c. ‘ ' There is an opening for an enterprising man, seldom to be met with.: ■ The busi ness has been established five years, and has been, and is, steadily increasing. Satisfactory reasons given for disposal. Tenders to close at NOON on DECEM BER 31st, 1880, to be endorsed “ Tenders for Coaching Business,” and forwarded to the undersigned, from whom all particu lars may be obtained. POYNTZ & CO., Ashburton; • Or, KENNEDY & CARTER, ; Proprietors, > 628 • ' - Geraldine. • 4 * Poyntz & Co. HAVE FOR SALE, bn advantageous and easy terms of payment,, the following TOWN AND SUBURBAN , PROPERTIES V P j ; A good five-roomed House, on quarter acre of land, within three or four chains of the East Town Belt. A compact four-roomed House, with one acre of land, well fenced. Three quarters of an acre laid down as a paddock. 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 ■fatted'' " with every convenience. : • A two-roomed House, with outbuild ings, on a quarter acre, well fenced and planted; on N. E. Belt? r | MONEY for investment, bn’approved security, in sums of £SO. and upwards, nt current rates ' 595 1 i - Public Notices. . JMPORTANT TO FARMERS. Osb6rne HarvesSn^ ■ ; MadMnery. " r "U Osborne Harvester and Binder/to bind with both string and wire, , price t L7O. pp ■ Ditto . ditto; with* iron road wheel, ■ ' and patent lifting apparatus, price L 75. , String attachmerits to fit'oh old wire’ Binders, price L6los. ; . , ; ' ‘■ ' 1 N.B.—No charge for fitting if sent to w our store. uV. Osborne No. 6 Side Delivery Reapers and Mowers. , . Osborpe Noi 6 Tiltor or Back Delivery Reapers and MowersV - ,- ' Osborne No. 5 Vlowers. ■ ' 1 EXTRAS FOR ALL THE ABOVE MACHINES KEPT IN, STOCK. Sole Agents in New-Zealand— ROBERT. WILKIN CO. ,; = * New Zealand Wool Stores, | 624 Christchurch. McDongalTs GarboUc Slie&p IS the Best and Safest in the Market?” A true specific for Scab, instantly . destroying , Ticks,' Lice, and,, sll ; / f effectually cleansing and stimulating the" ; growthpf;the Fleece, i;sVI A Jj7 ijO Sold in 101 b. and ■ 201 bi tins, and 501 b. kegs, by ... V7V; V ■ ■■■'., P) P. ROBERT WILKIN & CO., New Zealand Wool Stores, 627, Christchurch. ‘ [card.] PI IHEODORE B. JACOBSEN " AMI ' L O. PEEZ, i AC. ;;•= J ARCH I T. E C T.S. . . . / ■' ■ i -■--<! -i.-.-'. C, n;i ' p Note office—', 1 . ;’• ? HEREFORD STREET, WEST,’ * Christchurch. 571