MEMORANDA.

Saturday, March 27. Messrs. Aelarul, Campbell, and Co., at the Ashburton Horse Bazaar—Horses.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.m., and _8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hind?, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gera'dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster. The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. The next mail for the United Kingdom via Brindisi, will be closed at Christ church on April 6th, and will be due in London on May 27th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST.

COMMERCIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH CORN EXCHANGE. The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday evening, the 26th in stant : Threshing operations ai'e now in full swing, and large quantities are coming to hand, the bulk of which finds its way on board ship, en route for the United King dom. Absolutely no change has taken place in the condition of the grain trade. Values are unaltered, and buyers and sellers are both unwilling to operate. Local requirements are small, and altogether the grain trade has never been in such a depressed condition as it is at the present time. Wheat. —Latest advices show wheat firmer, the anticipated collapse of the American speculators has proved errone ous. The price remains steady at last quotations, viz., 4s. per bushel, delivered in Christchurch; seed parcels command Id. to lid. per bushel over the market rate. Chick wheat is in greater supply, prices being hardly so firm. Business is being done at from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per bushel. Barley continues to come forward freely, but the quality of the bulk of it is far from being good malting. For really first-class malting samples prices are well maintained, and may be quoted at from 3s. Bd. to 4s. per bushel. The second rate and inferior samples vary so much in quality that the particular samples only determine the value, which will range from 2s. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Oats are still being held by the growers, very little disposition being evinced by them to do business at the rates offering. The local trade is not large in this state of things, prices remain stationary. Last quotations must be repeated, Is. 4d. to Is. fid. per bushel. Rye Grass remains a drug in the market. Consumers being aware of the large quan tities on hand are expecting to buy under the ma.rket quotations. The consequence of this is that business in this article of pro duce is, like other things, at a standstill. The value is 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per busnel. Potatoes.—lnquiries are being made, but few transactions have as yet taken place. Sales for forward delivery have been made at L2 per ton. It is still pre mature to quote an established price, as that has not yet been determined. The anticipated large yields will certainly prove erroneous, the farmers generally having been deceived by the appearance of the crops. Australian advices also point to the fact that the yield is not abundant. Cheese and Butter.—Last week’s quota tions may be repeated, 4hd. to sd. for the former, 6jd. to7d. for the latter.

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1880.

It is painfully evident that whatever superiority the mass of New Zealand’s amateur soldiers possess as shots, or at drill, there is a very large per centage of them wanting in the characteristics of manliness that ought to distinguish the true soldier, While, let us hope, only a small modicum of them have such a hazy idea of honesty as those persons who yesterday rushed and openly robbed the shop of Mr. Furness, tobacconist and fruiterer. A special train brought up about 1,500 Vol unteers from the South for the Christ church encampment. The Volunteers in the carriages were .apparently, from their uniforms, the representatives of every company along the line where corps exist. When the train stopped, a rush was made by the thirsty and drunken ones for the refreshment rooms, for the nearest hotels, and for the shops con tiguous to the railway station where any thing eatable was to be obtained. A crowd of fifty, without even the lame excuse of being drunk, swarmed into the shop of Mr. Furness, which out of con sideration for men coming off a long journey, Mrs. Furness opened. Being Good Friday, and no rush of visitors ex pected, it had not been Mrs. Furness’ intention to open at all : besides, her husband is lying seriously ill, and requir ing the most of her time and attention. No sooner had she opened the door than the cowardly crowd swarmed into the shop, and while she supplied one or two with fruit from the shop window the rest coolly pocketed everything they could lay hands on, and made off. The shelves on which the tobacco, cigars, pipes, and matches were piled were swept of their valuables. The fruit boxes outside the counter were emptied ; some half-dozen tin boxes of biscuits were relieved of the last bite within them that was eatable, and the stock of lollies was reduced very speedily to low water-mark. And this without any attempt to pay. This is certainly admirable conduct for men wearing Her Majesty’s uniform and claiming to be their country's defenders. Under ordinary circumstances a poor miserable starving wretch who dared put forth his hand to steal would be hunted down and sent to prison, while his dis respect for honesty would be made the subject of a high toned moral lecture by the judge. But here we have half a hundred young men, claiming no doubt, to be well brought up and highly respec table, stooping down to the level of the common thief, and in the most cowardly manner possible, robbing the shop of a poor woman who is virtually a widow, for her. husband is bedfast and helpless with paralysis, and the medical men have given him up as hopeless. We hope some effort will be made to bring the offenders to justice, for by their blackguardism they bring disgrace upon the whole volun teer force, and it is a pity that the respec table men who belong to the Volunteers should have to be named in the same breath with the ignorant and cowardly louts whose doings yesterday we have been recounting. It is a fact worth noticing that some disgraceful scene always occurs whenever there is a large movement of Volunteers ; and if every event of the kind is to have for a charac terising feature an outburst of larrikinism, then the sooner the New Zealand military movement is a stationary one the better. One could almost be tempted to wish that Te Whiti would assume a warlike attitude and get into battle array, if it were for nothing else then to see how these valiant robbers of a woman’s shop would stand fire when real fighting was to be done. It is evident that some sort of discip line must'be exercised over the crowd of ill-bred larrikins who disgrace the ranks of our Volunteers, for it is intolerable that their entrance to a wayside town should be >a signal for lawless pillage, and every journey they make considered by them an opportunity for getting drunk and indulging in all sorts of senseless mis chief. Some of the valiant ones, too, were drunk enough to lose the train, and they were to be seen rolling about the township making asses of themselves until the special train in the afternoon arrived to relieve us of their disagreeable company. The Naval Brigades have now and again been saddled with the discredit of being guilty of little bits of larrikinism, their uniforms being a tell tale evidence against the corps when any of them are caught in the crowd of wrong doers. But the thefts of yesterday were the work of men of all arms and of many corps— artillery, rifle, and naval, —showing that there are larrikins in ranks of other com panies than the rough and ready land seamen. We hope the thieves will be hunted up and punished, and that the guilty ones will be compelled to make good to Mrs. Furness the ravages they have made upon her stock. 4. The Templar Hall Company, Limited, have just issued their annual balance sheet, but we cannot congratulate the

shareholders upon having a very lucid statement of the Company’s affairs before them. We are aware that the present management assumed control at a time when the success of the affair had been seriously jeopardized by the shortcomings of their predecessors, and we cheerfully recognise their efforts towards better or ganisation, but the balance-sheet now under notice, is neither so clear as we should like nor so satisfactory as the apparent business of the Company led us to anticipate. The statement of liabilities and assets shows a balance of £403 8s 5d favorable to the former, but this gratify ing appearance is attained by a flattering valuation of the property of the Company, which could not be nearly sustained if that crucial test realisation—were re sorted to. The buildings and section are taken as assets at cost price, and when we remember that these were acquired at a period when such property was at ficti tiously high prices, and the building is subject to rapid deterioration, this course is obviously unsound. Amidst the assets we also notice large items representing arrears on calls and rents due, and we must consider the directory of the Com pany singularly fortunate if they have placed their credit where it can be valued at its gross sum. Accepting the figures as passed by the auditors as correct, we find that the Company have made a profit of £ls Bs. sd. during their existence, and as they are now enjoying a golden opportu nity to achie re a larger success, we hope the present management will make hay while the sun shines, and by a judicious policy insure the favorable issue which the promoters of this and similar undertak ings deserve.

Furious Riding. —Thursday the Mayor and Mr. Cox.fined a man named Skilling 10s. for furious riding. The Old Men’s Home. —The Colonial Secretary has authorised the addition of two rooms to the Old Men’s Home: on condition that the cost does not exceed the estimate of L 95. Postal. —Yesterday w.s advertised as a holiday for the’ postal department, but through the courtesy of ourlocal postmaster little inconvenience was suffered, the mails being distributed on arrival as usual. Borough Reserves. —The borough re serves were submitted to auction on Thurs day by Mr. Bullock, for Messrs. Edraiston Brcs. and Gundry, but only one was sold, a section with cottage, at an annual rent of Ll 5 a year for the first seven years, with a progressive increase of 50 per cent, for the next and following seven years. The Akaroa reserves were also offered, but were withdrawn. Wanted a Good Sixpennyworth.— A man named C. Brown was on Thursday sent for 24 hours to gaol for pocketing the tumbler in which his drink was served by the Somerset barman. He had two of the hotel tumblers in his possession when* apprehsnded. Mr. Branson pled Brown’s case before the Mayor and Mr. Cox, who took a lenient view of the offence, at the instance of Mr. Shearman. Freak of Nature.— Yesterday morn ing a cow belonging to Mr, George Kidd, blacksmith, Ashburton, gave birth to a most extraordinary calf. Beyond two short stumps, a few inches in length, it had no hind legs, and there was nothing on the stumps that could raise even the suspicion of a hoof, the ends being com pletely covered by hair. When found the calf -was dead, and Mr. Kidd is not sure whether it had been killed accidentally by its dam, or had been stillborn. Cricket. —There was a fair muster of cricketers on the Domain ground yester day afternoon, and a scratch match was played between sides chosen by Messrs. Amos and Marsh. After an enjoyable game victory rested with the team selected by the former gentleman, but the cricket displayed was of a mediocre order, the only features we commend being the field ing of Messrs. Ey ton and Hoskins. Several members of the Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club wore also also on the ground, and some interesting games were played. Martial Law. —One of the officers of the New Zealand Army found himself in rather an ignominious plight at Rakaia yesterday morning. We are informed that the gentleman, inflated we presume by hia military consequence, insisted upon smoking in an unreserved first-class carriage to the annoyance of his protest ing fellow-passengers. After he had been quietly remonstrated with, yet still per sisted in his ungentlemanly behaviour, the guard of the train was appealed to, and as this official failed to prevail upon the offender to abandon hia “ weed,” the officer-was forcibly ejected from the train at Rakaia and left behind by his travel ling subordinates. Later in the day a crest fallen red-coat reached Ashburton by the aid of Mr. Lake’s buggy. A Wandering Milch Cow.— “ A bull in a china shop ” is a very untoward event, and we daresay Mr. Birtwcll yes terday believed.that a cow was a very un pleasant visitor. Two boys were driving a milker along East street, when the per verse animal refused to take the turning they wished her—viz., down Tancred street. One of the boys got ahead of the cow to hint as delicately as possible to her cream-giving ladyship the direction she was desired to take, but she failed to un derstand the cow language the boy spoke, and mistook Mr. Birtwell’s shop for the proper opening, and went in. After some trouble in turning, to the danger of the counter and the good things upon it, she was got out, and a little more persuasion got her into Tancred street. She didn’t do any danger fortunately. Bee-keeping.— We learn that it is the intention of Dr. Irvine, of Christchurch, to deliver a lecture in Ashburton on the Ist of April on the very interesting sub ject of bee-keeping. Dr. Irvine’s reputa tion as an apiarian, and the pains lie has taken to bring the value of bees before the community, both as sources of profit and amusement, are well known, and Ashburton bee-keepers, and all who like to hear an interesting lecture ought to attend. We believe he will explain and exhibit the new bar hive of which so much has recently been said in Christ church. The past season has been par ticularly prolific in clover in this district, and the returns of honey are very large. Doubtless Dr. Irvine’s lecture will have the effect of raising an extraordinary crop of hives in Ashburton, for bee-keep ing is a’pursuit that may be followed both by peer and peasant, by the humblest cottage gix’l and by the most refined lady of the land, and the labor of attending the bees is a source of enjoyment to all who engage in it.

Ouu National “ Defenders. ” — When die special train arrived from the south yesterday at 10 o’clock, a crowd of some fifty or more volunteers charged the shop of Mr. Furness, fruiterer and tobacconist, and while Mrs. Furness, who was the only person behind the counter, was serving the nearest of them with fruit, the citizen soldiers helped themselves to all her stock of cigars, tobacco, fancy pipes, matches, and everything consumable within reach, both from the tobacco shelves, and the fruit and confectionary counter. They stole all the lemonade and gingerbeer bottles, leaving only two—and these empty—they emptied the fruit boxes out side the counter, but carefully passed by the onions ; and they robbed some six tins of biscuits of their contents, besides making off with a large supply of confec tionery. As they nuhed off before either paying or giving Mrs. Furness any pro mise to do so, there will probably be more heard of the matter, as Sergeant Pratt has been made acquainted with the facta of the case.

Sunday School Tea Meeting. —Good Friday was a red letter day in the history of the Ashburton Primitive Methodists. At 1 p. m. the Sunday school children met in the church from whence they walked in procession, headedbyßev. A. J. Smith, to a field (kindly lent by Mr. Andrews, senr.) where several hours were spent in all kinds of youthful sports. Mr. Smith and Miss Watkins had collected a large number of pretty and useful toys, and nuts, biscuits, lollies, and apples, for which Ihe children ran races, etc. At 4 o’clock the children met in the Town Hall and en joyed a very hearty repast free, the caterer being Mr. Thomas Taylor, baker, Ash burton. The tables wore then cleared, after which between one and two hundred sat down to a very excellent tea. The tables were gracefully presided over by Mesdames James, Stokes, Dally, Jowsey, Puddicombe, Tresize, Pilkington, Taylor, Tilley, Watts and others. After tea an enthusiastic public meeting was held. Mr. Hodder ably presided, and the report read by Mr. Smith was of a very encouraging nature, showing a steady increase both in numbers and finances. The choir and children rendered with good effect a number of Sankey’s hymns, Miss Hardley efficiently presiding at the harmonium, speeches were delivered by Messas. Bevan and Hall and a splendid selection of reci tations were given in a very creditable manner by the children. The usual votes of thanks terminated this interesting and profitable meeting which we opine was a success in every respect. En Route for the Review. —Good Friday is usually a slow, day in Ashburton; but yesterday, it, was made quite lively by the passage of a number Volunteer trains through it en route to the Easter encampment. At halLpast ten the first special from the far south arrived; It consisted of 16 or 18 carriages well filled with Volunteers, many of whom had been on the train from midnight previously. The train remained at the station until the ordinary from the north and the Ex press had passed, and it then proceeded to Christchurch. A detachment of Vol unteers from Temuka arrived about an hour afterwards, but l ad to wait until the express from the south arrived. It also brought a crowd of Volunteers, and when it hid loaded up with passengers from Ashburton, amongst whom was a con tingent of 14 or 15 of our own Rifles, it formed quite a largo train. At half-past seven another special from the south arrived. It was made up of 17, carriages, and was perhaps the heaviest laden of all the trains that passed. All the day long Volunteers of one sort or another were moving about the township, and crowds of Ashburton people iwere on the station at the arrival of each train. The intensity of the colonial thirst was shown in a most marked degree during: the day, and for ability to inclose beer.commend us to the knot of red-coats, whose lot it was to kill three hours in Ashburton yes terday. We now and again fancied that the day’s proceedings were very nearly being enlivened with a fight or two, but fortunately the drink inbibed didn’t appear to be of that kind, and the little affairs burst up without any heels getting into the air—at least, not from knock down blows. One poor disconsolate soldier was what the Scotchmen would call “greetin’ foil,” but wo were.unable to discover the cause of his grief. At raid day a train-load of cadets passed south, en route to the review that was to come off at Waimate.

O amaru Stone. —The Qaniaru ''tone Company is able, after two, years’ exist ence, to declare a dividend of 10 per cent. Oamaeu Wheat.,; —A landowner, in Oamaru has refused is. per; bushel for a parcel of wheat amounting to 30,000 bushels, The Victorian Harvest. —So prolific is the Victorian harvest that 1,200 tenders have been received by the police depart ment for forage. Lost in London. —Last year 19 chil dren and no fewer than 121 adults disap peared in London, and have remained un accounted for. Donation. — Mr. Henry Somerville has given a donation of LI,OOO to the Presby terian Church, a portion to be devoted to the Assembly Scholarships Fund. The Poor Esquimaux. —Many of the Esquimaux are starving. The Americans cannot catch sufficient whales and have taken to killing the walrus, on which the Esquimaux depend for support. An Effect of “ Pinafore. —The Ad miralty have rescinded the regulation which forbade the residence of women on board ship—doubtless an effect of the continual performance of “ Pinafore.” A Pilgrimage. —A pilgrimage from England is being organised on a large scale, to assist at the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the declara tion of the dogma of the Immaculate Con ception. Noah’s Remains. —The village of Mual laka, near Baalbec, is celebrated as con taining the mortal remains of Noah, whose tomb is shown to the credulous stranger. Its dimensions are 104 feet long by 10 broad. The World’s Gold.— The total pro duction for the world of gold and silver for the 373 years from 1493 to 1879 is estimated by an eminent. German author ity at L 1,494,537,102 of silver and L 1,128,830,249 of gold. . . Painful Accident. A man named Johnston was rivetting a tank at the Christchurch Gasworks on Tuesday, when a chip flew and struck-him in the eye, which has resulted in the injured organ having to be removed. Tongaribo, —We hear from, Taupo that Tongariro la in a state' of volcanic erup tion, emitting vast volumes of smoke, and showing a lurid glare at night. It is now nearly eleven years since Tongoriro was in a state of extreme eruptian. Cheap Mutton, —There can be no com plaint about the price of mutton in Napier just at present. Excellent legs of mutton, ranging from Gibs, to 81bs. each, are de livered at the door for lOd. a Jog, and kidneys can be bought at 6d per dozen. Horses in Great Britain.— Horses increased in Great Britain from 301,000 in 1870 to 448,000 at the present time, and yet they are much higher in price now than then, and were it not for the disastrous season there, the advance would be still greater. The Best of the Two.— A statue of Eve is talked of in San Francisco, accord ing to the “ News Letter,” which gives the following report of a woman’s meeting on the subject : — £I They praised up Eve and run down Adam awfully. Adam was mean. He told tales on Eve about that apple. Eve didn’t tell on Adam ; she was true as steel. When the dreadful day came, and the deputy sheriff ejected them from their homestead, Eve didn’t stand there blubbering, but set to work at once and made Adam an ulster of fig leaves and herself a new petticoat. She deserves and must have a statue.” Apathetic Wesleyans. —This is how the “NewZealandWesleyan ’’dresaesdown its fellow churchmen, and does a bit of touting as well : —‘ ‘lf it were possible to secure a return of the quantity and quality of the literature that constitutes the mental pabulum of the New Zealand Methodists, I have an idea that I would reveal some curious and interesting facts. One curious fact would he that there is even yet a large number of New Zealand Methodists who are so far neglectful of their privileges as not to take in the “New Zealand Wesleyan,” and another curious fact would be that a great many who do take in the “ Wesleyan” are, as far as they are concerned, leaving the printer to whistle for his money,”

Humorous Printers. —They say in America that all their humorists have been compositors Artemus , Ward, Orpheus 0. Kerr, Nasby, Mark Twain, Josh Billings, Mrs. Partington, Bret Harte, Joe Harris, Bridges Smith, Si Hawkins, Charlie Willingham, Cousin Annie Barnes, Alex. Stephens, John T. Martin, John Shivers, Henry H. Tuckey, Even Howell, E. Y. Clarke—all of them have set minion on daily papers. Peaches and Pumpkins on one Tree. —The “ Bay of Plenty Times ” is respon sible for the statement that in Mr. Joe Kingsley’s garden at the Quarter Acres there is a tree bearing peaches and pump kins together. The tree was raised by Mr. Kingsley himself, and the only way he can account for its extraordinary bearing qualities is that when sowing the seed he-put a peach stone and a pumpkin seed together, and they got mixed. Luther’s Wedding Ring. Luther’s wedding ring is on exhibition at the jeweller’s, Herr Rothe, at Dusseldorf. The ring, which bears the inscription, “ Dr. Martino Lutheto, Catherina von Bora, IS June, 1525,” is a work of con siderable arc. On it is represented the Passion of Our Lord, the cross, and the body of Jesus forming the middle, sur rounded by all the chief tools of the car penter’s craft, a small ruby sparkling re calling the holy blood. Peculiar Mortality among Fish.— An Auckland paper of the 9th says:— News from the East Coast informs us that the fish are still being killed in some mys terious way in large numbers, and that the, beaches are strewed with dead fish of all kinds. We are informed that dead fish are also found five miles up the creeks and rivers. There are man}' arguments against this mortality being caused by some vomiting forth of sulphurous stuff near the coast, but no other theory appears to be better, or as good. A Murrain in the Mauritius. —A serious epidemic is raging among cattle in the Mauritius. Since the first appearance of this plague in May last, no less than 21,355 cattle have been lost. This is the official number given, and it is believed there are many thousand deaths which have not been brought to official notice. The cattle are dying off at the rate of 3500 a month. The epidemic has also attacked the deer of this island. During Decem ber no less than 384 deer are officially certified to have died from the disease. Of course there are many more which have perished in the forest unknown to the rangers. Large shipments of mules from South America, and horses from Western Australia, have been made to meet the deficiency in draught animals, and large numbers of cattle continue to arrive weekly by steamer from Madagas car. Te Whixi.—The Auckland “ Herald’s” special correspondent “at the front” has the following to say regarding the Maori prophet’s oratory :—“ Standing on the raised-platform, with blanket worn toga fashion round him, outstretched arm, graceful gesture, and a pose of body firm yet animated, he appeared the very beau ideal of a natural orator. Without rant, without declamation, without anything ayproaching to * high faintin’,’ Te Whiti’s words flowed evenly and uninterruptedly. Even one utterly ignorant of the language could tell when he appealed, when he up braided, when he spoke scornfully of his enemies, when he prophesied hopefully of the future. The inflexion of his voice and the play of his features were in them selves eloquent. He didn’t put his hands in his pockets—by the way he had none— he didn’t stroke his moustache, he didn’t play wild havoc with the letter H, he didn’t scratch his head, or hawk, or ex pectorate ; and when he finished his speech he didn’t flop down on his seat, glare fiercely about him, and then rush off to Bellamy’s. Te Whiti is not civilised enough for that ; his education remains to be finished when he is elevated to a seat in the Parliament of New Zealand. It is only there that those delicate finish ing touches can be acquired which make the polished rhetorician. Te Whiti has much to learn. ”

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. {Reuter's.) St. Petersburg, March 23. On the occasion of the birthday of the Emperor of Germany yesterday the Czar made a speech, in the course of which he said he hoped the present satisfactory relations between Germany and Russia would be maintained. [The morning papers publish the above as referring to the Czar’s birthday. The correction has been sent by Reuter’s Agency. ] London. March 22, The wool market is firm, and is expected to continue so. The “Times,” in a leading article, ex pects that an equal balance of parties is likely to take place next Parliament. London, March 23. New Zealand securities have further advanced. The 5 per cent, loan (1881- 1908) is at 109 ; the 4A per cent, loan (1879-1904) is quoted at 98J. AUSTRALIAN. Sydney, March 25. It is stated here that a Sydney com pany has purchased the oil springs at Poverty Bay. The Union Co.’s steamer Ringarooma sailed for New Zealand yesterday. Melbourne, March 24. Mr. James Wilson of St. Albans, has entered an action for libel against the proprietors of the “Age,” damages L 5,000, for statements made in connection with the late autumn meeting. The application made in Banco against Mr. Syme, proprietor of the “ Age ” for contempt of Court in commenting on the libel case has been granted. INTERPROVINCIAL. Auckland, March 25. Honor A. Molly, an immigrant, died of low fever in the quarantine station. Sailed—Te Anau for South and Mel bourne. The Lincolnshire delegates visit the north of Auckland. A steamer has been chartered to convey them. The Orakei Maori Parliament passed a strong resolution condemnatory of Govern ment for delaying the trial of the Taranaki prisoners. Considerable excitement was caused at the Orakei meeting to-day by the arrival of Ngapuhi Ngakuru from Parihaka. He says the roads will never meet, and that a climax in the plains question will come if the lines of road do meet. When that happens the Maoris will lose all faith inTe Whiti. Sydney Taiwhanga bet the Ngapuki chief a horse that the road will be made right through. The “Herald” to-day freely attacks Dr. Lemon for delay in telegrams. It says he should work the officers night and day to work off the arrears. Nelson, March 25. At the District Court, Henry Adams, solicitor, who executed a deed of arrange ment, was, on the petition of the credi tors, adjudicated a bankrupt. In the matter of Hugh Jones, banker, late of Westport, who was also adjudicated a bankrupt on the creditors’ petition, the proceedings were transferred to Westport. 150 Volunteers left in the Hinemoa at 8 o’clock to take part in the Christchurch review. They were made up as follows : —Artillery, with three guns, 37 ; Stoke Rifles, 05 ; Waimea, 25 j Navals, 32,

Wellington, March 25. Frank Moor, one of the hard labor gang, was killed this morning by a fall of earth, while working at the excavation near the college. He was sentenced in October to 12 months’ for larceny. He leaves a wife and family. Dunedin, March 25. The Dunedin Medical Association has resolved —“ That, in the opinion of this Society it is unprofessional and improper, that any of its members should keep open shop for the sale of druggists sundries, and should advertise the rate of his fees.”

THE FLOODS IN THE NORTH.

TERRIBLE DEVASTATION. [by TELEGRAPH.] Eketahdna, March 22. Rain has fallen in continuous downpour since Friday morning. The country and rivers are badly flooded, especially Ruai nahunga. All communication southwards is cut off. The upper country and the Maori settlements are completely flooded. A punt has been washed away and not yet secured. .Serious damage has been done to the main road through land slips at the Scandinavian camp. . The road is sub merged for miles, and a portion is believed to be washed away. Carcases of whole flocks of sheep and a great number of horses and cattle are seen floating down the river. March 24. The weather is slightly better, but the rain was steady all yesterday, with a high wind, which blow a quantity of timber down across the nads. The wind has now fallen. The coach, which was im prisoned here since Friday, made ail at tempt to proceed to Woodviile to-day.

THE CHIMBORAZO IN A STORM.

[by telegraph.] The Chimborazo encountered a fearful hurricane on Feb. 9, south-west of Ushant. She had quitted Plymouth with 362 pas sengers, a valuable cargo, and the largest mail ever carried by the Orient Company. The wind was blowing hard, and shortly before 9 in the morning, a gigantic wave was noticed coming in the direction of the ship. Onward it came, towering high above the vessel and threatening to en gulph everything. With a terrible crash it dashed on to the starboard side from the funnel abaft the bridge, pouring over the ship with resistless power. The spar deck was completely swept, and the wave carried overboard every obstacle. The steam launch was torn from its berth, and five other boats from their davits. The galley skylights, smoking room, sheep pens, saloon companion, ventilators, and the whole of the general fittings of the centre deck Were carried away. The shock was fearful. There was terrible consternation, and for the moment it was feared that all standing on that part of the vessel, watching the wave, had been carried away; but it was soon ascertained that, whilst nearly all these were more or less injured, only four had been swept overboard—a cabin passenger, Mr. J. Bozer, C.E., and three seamen. Me. J. E. Jones, a second-class passenger, had his skull fractured and died almost immediately ; sixteen other passengers were injured. The purser had seen that the wave must sweep over the vessel, so just before she was struck he shouted to all to lay hold of anything, otherwise everyone there must have been swept overboard. Fortunately, the sea did not put the fires out. The only re source was to put the vessel’s head about for Plymouth, as soon as it could possibly be done with safety. The saloon was much damaged, but the hull, and engines were uninjured. A few minutes before the wave broke, the Cap tain requested the passengers to leave the smoking-room, as he desired to put the sheep there, several having been washed overboard. The passengers left accordingly, and a few minutes later the room was carried away with the deck houses. The Chimborazo returned to Plymouth without assistance, and landed her passengers. Several of the daily papers had leaders commenting on the accident, and all concur in awarding great praise to the captain, officers, and crew. The “ Standard ” says : —“ The wave was so huge as to suggest the idea that it was due to some volcanic or subterranean dis turbance other than the ordinary forces of the tempest. None of the Australian pas sengers returning by the Chimborazo were injured in any way.

LATE CABLEGRAMS

(by telegraph.) The following telegrams appear in the Melbourne papers : (Argus Special.) London, March 9. The Earl of Beaconsfield has written a letter to the Duke of Marlborough, re viewing what England has done for Ire land during late years. He says that there is danger now in some districts in Ireland, owing to a portion of the people attempting to sever the constitutional tie uniting England and Ireland in a bond which favors the prosperity of both. Lord Beaconsfield hopes that all will resist this destructive doctrine. The strength of the nation depends upon the unity of feeling which should pervade Great Britain and her dependencies. Some had challenged the expediency of the Imperial character of the realm. They had attempted, but failed, to enfeeble the colony by a policy of disintegration, and they now recognised in the disintegration of the United King dom a mode by which to accomplish and hasten a purpose. The elections would afford the nation an opportunity of de ciding upon the course to be taken, which would materially affect the fortunes and destiny of the country. The power of England and the peace of Europe must largely depend upon the verdict of the country. Peace could not be secured by the passive principles of non-intervention. Lord Beaconsfield concludes his letter by expressing the hope that a Parliament will be returned worthy of the power of England, and resolved to maintain it. March 10. Mr. William Shaw, M.P. for Cork, the leader of the Home Hide party, has issued an address in answer to Lord Beacons field’s letter to the Duke of Marlborough, charging the Premier with placing false issues before the electors, tending to ex cite the worst passions of the ignorant. He invites the Irish people to answer the in sulting missive by returning an over whelming majority pledged to a settle ment of the great Irish National question. March 15. The German press recently contained revelations as to the attempt made last spring by the Russians to negotiate an alliance with France and Italy, but there are now distinct signs of a better feeling between Germany and Russia. March 17. It is rumored that H.R.H. the Duke of Connaght succeeds the Duke of Marl borough as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. The Russians at Cronstadt and Nico laieff are preparing for the immediate despatch of further munitions of war and men-of-war to the Pacific to protect the Amoor, owing to the expected war with China. The “ Times” states that Abdul Rahman and two Russian officers have arrived at Balkh. ' March 18. A Company hag. -been projected in London of Australian meat on the Strathleven principle. The capital will be raised by five thousand LlO shares. It is proposed to import 200 tons of meat fortnightly.

{.Age Special. ) London, March 8. The American Congress regards with dissatisfaction the acquisition by the French of paramount influence in the construction of the Panama Canal through the Isthmus of Darien. A Select Com mittee was appointed some time ago to consider the question, and evidence was taken in reference to the various schemes submitted, and also as regarded the powers conferred upon Lieutenant Lucien Napoleon Buonaparte Wyse, who was de spatched in command of an expedition fitted out by the French Government to survey and report on the most feasible route for the canal. The report of the Committee has been published, and the recommendations contained therein are wholly adverse to the French acquiring the control of the canal. March 10. Efforts are being made for the approach ing campaign in Afghanistan. It is intended to increase the numbers of the Native army in India, and recruit ing for the Native regiments is being vigorously prosecuted. Mr. Gladstone has issued his address to the electors of Midlothian, which con stituency he seeks to represent in the next Parliament. He attacks the policy of the Government in every essential particular, and contends that the action of Lord Beaconsfield had served to aggra vate the distress following upon the general depression in trade at home, thereby necessitating the augmentation of taxation. Abroad the prestige of the empire had been weakened by needless wars. He condemned the acquisition of profitless extension of territory in South Africa, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world,: and declared that the onerous and ill-defined responsibilities assumed by England in Asia Minor under treaty en gagement with the Porto were most un wise. The appropriation of Cyprus, he stigmatised as equivalent to filching ter ritory from an ally and as dishonouring to England. March 15. Much significance is attached to the arrival of a Persian Commission at Herat for the purpose ostensibly of establishing amicable relations between the Shah’s Government and the inhabitants of that city. The members of the Commission were enthusiastically welcomed by the Heratees, and the principal chiefs have exhibited a very friendly attitude towards them. • The repressive policy adopted by the Cape authorities towards the Natives of Basutoland threatens serious complica tions. A proc’amation has been made that the order for a general disarmament, which had been suspended for a time to enable the people to appeal to the Home Government, will be immediately enforced. The Basutos regard the proceeding with embittered feelings, and affairs in the district are considered highly critical. March 17. The feeling of hostility against the Chinese throughout California, which was exhibited in the very repressive measures passed through the State Legislature, and in the pressure brought to bear upon pub lic companies and manufacturers to pre vent the employment of Mongolian labor, has greatly subsided. While much jealousy of the Chinese continues to exist amongst the working classes, overt acts of coercion have been discontinued. In consequence of the Lords of the Treasury refusing to increase the subsidy allotted the representation of Great Britain at the Melbourne Exh’bition, the London Commission, of which the Prince of Wales is President, has relinquished all respon sibility in reference to the transmission of the British exhibits, and will leave the matter entirely in, the hands of the Victorian- Commissioners. New Zealand hemp fetches from L 27 15s. to L2B per ton.

MURDERERS REPAYING STOLEN MONEY.

One of the strange features in the double murder in the Faubourg St. Honore, that has for some time been the talk of Paris, is the fact that the murderer thought fit to write to the widow of his master and victim to inform .her that it was only for the sake of robbery that he committed his crime. “ I have taken about eighty pounds,” he says, in conclu sion, “ with which I mean to make my fortune ; and I pledge myself to return it some day.” Extraordinary as the scruple may look, this is not the first time that a murderer, without feeling much remorse for the deed in itself, has given signs of being quite awake to the pecuni ary liability which it entails. Thus the Marquis de Salvere, whose father was murdered at San Domingo, about a quarter of a century ago, received by post, after the lapse of a few years, a sum of eight thousand pounds, with notice that it was a restitution of the amounc robbed, from the murderer himself, who had made his fortune, but declined to give his name and address. In another case a Parisian senator was for years in receipt of a monthly instalment of eight pounds from London, the sender of which was unknown, with notice that the amount would be forthcoming to complete the payment of a sum of twenty-four thousand francs robbed from one of his uncles after murder.

A FTTURE KING.

The English people have but just awakened to the fact that the elder of the two sons of the Prince of Wales is a pro bable heir to the throne, and that he is, as such, an interesting person. At the same time they remember, with a mixture of amusement and amazement, that they know almost nothing about him. In fact, they are rather puzzled when it is neces sary to speak of him, to know how he is to be called. He is, in full, Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward. He used to be styled Prince Albert Victor of Wales. Popularly he has been known as Prince Victor. When he was studying on board the Britannia he was called Prince Edward. Out of the abundance of titles it is not easy to make a choice, and the British public seem to be as much ‘ ‘ at sea,” metaphorically, as the Prince now is literally, in attempting to discover any thing gossipy about one who, if he lives long enough, will be the ruler of a vast empire. The Prince was born at Frog more Lodge, Windsor, on the Bth of January, 1864, and has, therefore, nearly completed his sixteenth year. He was born and has lived—that is all the English people know about him. Occasionally he has accompanied his parents in their travels here and there, and his features have excited some mild interest in the family photographs. But in general his history and person are unknown, and his life has been as obscui’e as that of any boy in the kingdom. What has now drawn attention to him is his sailing in company with his brother, whom all English folk know as Prince George of Wales, on a voyage round the world. The two Pr.'nces have been trained on board the Britannia, and they now go as cadet midshipmen on the ship Bacchante, which sailed from Portsmouth harbour on the 18th of September, and proceeded to Portland, whence after a week spent in drill, the ship started for a short cruise in the Mediteranean and is to pass the winter in the West Indies. Of course very little will be heard from the young Princes while they are absent on this voyage, and they will return a year or two hence, tall striplings, one of them just coming into manhood. As they are the only sons of the Prince of Wales, the succession would pass, in case of their death, to the daughters, and once again the British throne would be occupied by a 'womaq,—“Boston Advertiser,”

A TERRIBLE WIND STORM.

A moat terrible wind storm, lasting four hours, passed over the entire State of Oregon and the adjoining territories, and left ruin and destruction everywhere. In this city the damage to houses and other property amounts to SIOU,UW. The Bremer saloon was blown over, killing Henry Henrichs instantly. JackA) Don nel had his leg broken. At LaßTonner, Washington Territory, a tree fell on the school-house, killing two children and severely injuring two others. The rail roads were stopped, and the wires have been down until to-day. Umatilla is said to have been nearly blown away, the wind reaching a velocity of nearly eighty miles an hour.. Roads in the country are impassable on account of trees lying across them. It is feared that many lives have been lost among the locali ties. The most serious accident in this vicinity occurred about three miles from this city. The house of Henry Becket was struck by a tree. His wife, with » child, rushed out, and the child was struck by the limbs of the falling tree and killed In its mother’s arms. The husband was a short distance from the house, having been knocked down by another tree, with his log broken.—“ Portland (Oregon.) Dispatch ” Jan. 13.

A NOTABLE PAUPER.

A notable pauper died a few days ago in Charlton work-house, England, at the age of sixty-four. His name was Charles Cart wright. He was a man of education, and had once possessed wealth. He had run. through two fortunes, one of L 200,000 and one of L 400,000, spending the money chiefly in ostentatious living, and when utterly destitute had gone to the work house, where he lived quietly and con tentedly for many years, earning a few luxuries for himself by writing poems for the country papers, and sermons for neighboring clergymen. Occasionally his friends would take him away, jtnd grant him an allowance ; but their efforts were always useless, as he instantly resumed his old habits, frequented the dearest res taurants, smoked the most expensive cigars, and drove about in cabs. At last he died, in the work-house, having never, the clerk thought, been unhappy, though the chairman on that point snubbed the clerk asking if he supposed that any con tented man would ever write sermons.

HOW GERMANY SPENT THE FRENCH WAR INDEMNITY.

An account has been lately published of the way in which the indemnity paid by France to Germany on the conclusion of the war of 1870-71 has been spent. Alto gether, including the war contributions imposed upon Paris and the departments occupied by the German troops, Germany has received from France the sum of 5,254,000,0901, or about £210,160,000. Of this sum £91,748,513 were in the first instance set aside for imperial purposes, and the remainder was divided among the several states forming the empire, the one North Gorman Confederation receiving £79,114,235 ; Bavaria, £13,468,819 ; Wurtemburg, £4,248,304 ; Baden, £3,050,593 ; and Hesse, £1,436,509. Of the £91,748,543 set aside for Imperial purposes, £28,033,849 have been appro riated to form a pension fund; £10,800,000 to strengthen, enlarge, and add to the num ber of the fortified places of the Empire ; £8,580,800 for the purchase and construc of railways in Alsace and Lorraine, and £9,447,142 to improve the fortresses in the two annexed £6,000,000 have been placed in War Trea sury ; £600,000 have been awarded in grants for eminent services; £242,740 have been spent in providing a range on which to carry on artillery experiments ; £300,000 have been allotted to German subjects expelled from France, while smaller sums have been appropriated to recompense railway companies for the damage done to their rolling stock; to improve the military, telegraphic, and postal services ; compensate Gorman ship owners for losses sustained during the war ; to extend the military topographical de partment ; to enlarge the artillery work shops at Strasburg ; to provide com memorative medals, and to construct a building for the Reichstag.—“ Pall Mall Gazette.”

A RUM STORY.

Anything one eats or imbibes with pleasure to the palate, followed by no unpleasant after sensations, should be taken for granted. It is courting dis comfort to pry too curiously into its com position. Some forty years ago the ship Governor Endicott arrived at Salem, Massachusetts, from India ; and there landed several missionaries, who departed ; at once for Boston to report the arrival to the Missionary Board, leaving their belongings at the Lafayette Hotel. There' they attracted the attention of the cus- ' tom-house clerk, who, noting the presence of a cask, suspected an evasion of duty, and reported the matter to General Millar, the collector of customs. That official at once ordered baggage and cask to be sent to the custom-house for examination, and requested that the missionaries would give him a call as soon as they returned to Salem. The sus picious cask was taken into the custom house yard, the bung knocked out, a proof-glass inserted to find out what kind of liquor was inside, in order to fix the v duty on it. They .all tasted—collector, ■ deputy-collector, naval officer, inspector, : clerk, and a tribe of hangers-on. They drank it neat, they drank it with water* with sugar, with biscuits, with cheese, but could not agree what kind of liquor it was. Bets were made, and-it was finally agreed to leave the knotty question to be decided by two absent inspectors—Capt. Bill L arid Capt. Steve R : —-. At last they came. They tasted. Capt. L said he would stake' his reputa tion that it was old London Dock brandy, vowing “he had not tasted such liquor since General Crowningshield launched Cleopatra’s barge in , 1818.” Captain • R declined “ to put a name to it”; he said it had a flavour different from any liquor with which he was acquainted. The next day the missionaries arrived at the custom-house to have their baggage passed, all save the cask oft liquor. “ That must pay duty,” said the General. “ Would they inform him what spirit the • cask contained?” The amused mis sionaries complied by telling him that when, they left India they brought with them a pet orang-outang, which dying after thirty day’s experience of sea life, had been put in a cask of rum for pre servation—an explanation accounting for the peculiar flavour that had puzzled so many experienced tasters.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1880.



s. d. s . d. Butter, inferior to best f? lb 0 10 to I 0 Eggs, $ dozen I I to I 3 Cheese, prime quality, $ lb 0 7 to 0 10 Bacon, prime smoked, 1? lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, lb I 2 to I 3 Flour in bags, xoolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, 25th 5 6 to 0 0 Lard, lb - 0 9 to 0 0



MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c.. Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at the TINWALD YARDS, on TUESDAY, March 30, 1880. Special Entries— -1400 Mixed Ewes and Hoggetts 700 First-class Merinos C. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and C>.’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a NOTICE TO FARMERS. rpHE undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 5500* TO FARMERS. fJlHE'undersigned are CASH BUYERS of WHEAT, or will make LIBERAL ADVANCES on shipments to London on growers’ account. MILES, HASSAL, & CO., Christchurch ; MILES, ARCHER, & CO., 5660 Tiraaru.



THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTO R Y 'AS started about five years ago. The proprietors at first in tended to manufacture for the Trade only, but, owing to the persistent op position of importers and Shop keepers who could make a better profit on the imported article, they were compelled in self defence to open Branches for the sale of their goods direct to the public. In this they but followed the example of some of the largest manufacturers at home, and the Public, by purchasing at the undermentioned Branches, will SAVE THE PROFIT OF MIDDLEMEN, AND OBTAIN A SUPERIOR ARTICLE. BRANCHES. Invercargill Christchurch Wellington Dunedin Ashburton Auckland Oamaru Nelson New Plymouth Timaru Wanganui Napier A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE W. SPARROW, Manager, Ashburton Branch, 538g* New Zealand Clothing Factory. MOUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. TAKE NOTICE . that the VALUA TION LIST for the year 1880, as amended, is now OPEN for inspection at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers. All objections thereto must be left at the Road Board Office, Mount Somers, on or before the Third day of April, 1880, addressed to the Assessment Court; and a copy of every such objection must be left at the Mount Somers Road Board Office, not less than Seven days before the next sitting of the said Court. C. J. WENTWORTH COOKSON, J tJNH. Clerk to the Mount Somers Road Board. Mount Somers, March 13th, 1880. 614 g



REGISTRATION OF DOGS. MOUNT SOMERS DISTRICT. mHE Registrar of Dogs for the above I District having been gazetted, owners of dogs should take an early op portunity of obtaining collars. March 22, 1880. 6470 McSHERRY D^LS. A SHIPMENT of these ' -celebrated Drills is expected shortly to arrive. They will range in widtn from 6 feet ’6 inches (12 Hoppers) to 10 feet (17 Hoppers). Or lets taken by the undersigned, FREDK. PAYITT, Ashburton, For the SOLE AGENT, JOHN ANDERSON, 6463 Canterbury Foundry,