SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Comet, ketch, from Waitapu. Pet, barque, from Newcastle. Reliance, ketch, from Thames. Cleopatra, brigantine, from Grey mouth. Clematis, ketch, from Pelorus Sound. Malay, barque, from Newcastle. To-day. Wakatipu, 3.5., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. ■- —■■•■■-■ -Yesterday. Rotorua, s.s.- for Sydney, via Northern ports. - - SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Hineraoa, from Opunake ; Aurora, Schooner, from East Coast. Sailed—Hawea, for the North. King George’s Sound, Dec. 9 Arrived —P. and O. Company’s steamer ■Siam from Galle, with the inward Suez mail.

Sydney, To-day; .. Sailed—Tararua, yesterday, for Auck land.

COMMERCIAL.

. Ashburton Retail List. ■ .Butter, inferior to.best, t? lb, 6d to Bd. Eggs, $ dozen, is. Cheese, prime quality, I? lt>, 6d to Bd. Bacon, prime smoked, I* lb, lod to is. ■ Hams in. cloth, 1? lb, is id. ■ Flour in bags, (3 loolb, 13s. Oatmeal, $ 251 b, 4s. Lard, $ lb, 7d. The Christchurch Corn Exchange- The following is the report for the week end ing Friday evening, the 10th inst:— There is little or no business doing in the grain trade. Prices are in no way altered. The weather continues to he all that can be des red. All danger to the crops from drought may be said to be over, as there is now moisture enough in the land to enable the grain to mature and ripen. Danger to the crops now is more feared from a surplusage of wet than the contrary. Wheat.—Nothing has transpired during the yreek. which calls for any comment The 'market is in a very dormant state, and in the absence of orders prices have rather a down ward tendency. Good sound milling, 45 to 4s 3d per bushel ; second class parcels, from 2S pd to 3s 6d ; chick wheat, is pd to 2s pd per bushel. ■ Oats. —There is no change to note, either in the price of this cereal or the demand for the same. A few small transactions have taken place, some for local consumption, others for shipment, the prices ruling being, for good short oats, is S.l to iso 1 f.o.b. : feed samples, from is 5d to is 6d, in Christchurch ; inferior feed samples, is 3d to is qd. • Barley is difficult to move, but prices appear to have reached their lowest level. There is, however, no alteration of values; for very prime malting ; 3s to 3s 3d is the lowest figure; second rate, 23 3d to 2s pd ; feed, is 6d to is p 1 per bushel. Grass s-ccl. —No transactions taking place.

Potatoes.—A small temporary demand seems to have arisen, but there are such large quan tities that it is easily salisfie 1, price about 12s a ton, delivered in Christchurch. Cheese an I Butter. —The former, 4. 1 to

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-mobuov. - , Saturday, December 11.

Quill and Co., at their Rooms—Sale of Privileges, Caledonian Sports. Quill and Co., at their rooms—Sale of Privileges, Trotting Meeting. One o’clock. Quill and Co. —Usual Weekly Sale, at . their rooms and yards, at 12 o’clock. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street - T.S. 1209, corner of Cameron and Winter street. Two o’clock Monday, December, 13.

Mr. T. Bullock, at Winslow—Cattle Sheep, Horses, Pigs, &c. One o’clock.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. Monday, December 13. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Tuesday, December 14. Meeting of Milkmen, at Mr. Harrison’s Auction Room, at 7 p.m. Amateur Dramatic Club, Town Hull, at 8 sharp.

The Ashburton Guardian. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1880.

'TOWS EDITION. i [JsstteiZ at 5. CO p. m]

Fostai. —Mails for Australia, via Sydney, close at Wellington at 11.20 a.m. to-morrow, per Wakafcipu.

Alleged Concealment of Birth.— Sarah Brimmicombe,' a young woman from Rakaia, was brought up this morning before the R. M. on a charge of conceal ing the birth of a child. After Sergeant Felton had given evidence accused was remanded until Tuesday next.

The Cricket Match.—Mr. Power,! of the Royal. Hotel, having obtainedan extension of his license, will dispense refreshments at the cricket match to morrow—Ashburton v. Prebbleton.

Inquest.—An inquest was held at the Hospital this afternoon on the body of Patrick McGuire, the particular’s of whose death we published yesterday. After evidence had been taken, a verdict of “ Accidental Death” was returned. Death of an Old Colonist.—Mr. Andrew Duncan, ,an old resident of Christchurch, died of heart disease this morning. Some years ago Mr. Duncan held the position of Mayor. He was a member of the Provincial Executive, and subsequently immigration agent for Can terbury.

1.0.G.T. —A new lodge of this order was last night,' instituted by Bro. E. Elston, D.D.G.W.0.T., under the name of “ The Safe Retreat. ” Bro. D. Ross was elected W.C.T , and we understand there are a good few names on the roll book of membership. We wish the new lodge every success, although we are of opinion that the cause of temperance would be better served by the common blending together of lodges than by the fostering of offshoots from the parent ones of the district.

Ashburton Library,—At the ordinary quarterly meeting of members of the Ashburton Library, held last night, there were only eight subscribers present, in cluding the president, Mr. J. Ward, who presided. Mr. Leggett was elected a member of committee in the room of Mr. E. Guinness, who had resigned in conse quence of leaving the district. Notice was given by Mr. Leggett that at a special meeting of members, to be called on the first Thursday in January, he would move that the present rules of the Library be altered. It was resolved that the reading room he kept open in future until 9.30 every evening, a motion that the time he extended until 10 o’clock being lost. There being no other business' the meet ing dispersed. A Rowdy Customer.: —At the R. M. Court this morning, before Mr. Nugent Wood, 8.M., a rough individual named William Lindsay appeared to answer four chaages which had been brought against him, namely, drunk while in charge of a horse and cruelty to the same, using abusive language, and resisting the arrest ing constable. William had evidently been on the spree, and was somewhat obstinate when constable Daly wanted to take care of him, and for each of his delinquencies the culprit plod guilty. For the whole of the charges he was fined 15s. and the cost of stabling the horse. A Melancholy End —A man named James Parker, a wood carver, who arrived in this colony by the Waimatc in March last, was arrested on a charge of drunken ness at about three o’clock yesterday after noon and placed in one of the cells at the central depot. At half-past five one of policemen having occasion to visit the prisoner, found him dead. Death must have been very sudden, as the man had been seen alive only a few minutes pre vious I}’. 1 }’. Since his arrival in Christ church, Parker had been a heavy drinker, and it is said that he had suffered an epileptic or sumo o.hcr kind of fit pre vious to his arrest yesterday. An inquest will be hold at two o’clock this afternoon. — Press. The Murderer Tuaui.—At the Wel lington Supreme Court yesterday after noon the case of Tualii was called on. Mr. Forwood, counsel for the defence, intimated that the trial would in all pro bability not conclude by Saturday night, and in order to prevent the jury being locked up all Sunday, lie would ask that the case be commenced on Monday. His Honor agreed, and Tualii was removed. Mr. Forwood mentioned that it was the intention of Tuahi to plead not guilty. Education in R ussia. —The New Fereie Press extracts from a Russian journal called the Elementary School Teacher some interesting statistics of elementary educa tion in Russia. It appears that of all the children in St. Petersburg who are of fit age for school only 41 per cent, are actually being taught. There are 30,000 children in St. Petersburg who go to no school whatever. The government of St. Petersburg—that is, the district of which St Petersburg is the centre—is still worse off. Not quite 25 per cent, of the children go to school. In the Moscow government the percentage is only 15 ; while in the town of Moscow itself it goes as low as 12.

In Bessarabia 40 per cent, of the children go to school ; in Kazan, 06 per cent. ; in Penza, 28 per cent. The' worst of it is that in all these cases the population is not pure Russian, but contains a strong German or Finnish element. The posi tion occupied by Bessarabia points in the same direction. The Russian journal concludes its remarks by pointing out that if all the Russian people are to be edu cated there will be 1,000 new schools wanted in tlxe St. Petersburg govern ment, 2,G00 in that of Novgorod, and, not to mention other instances, as many as 5,000 in that of Charkow.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Renters Agency.) Consols and Wheat, London, Dec. 8, Three per cent. Consols, 100% ; Adelaide wheat, per 4961b5., ex ware house, 50s. 6d. The Shaking Up in Austria. Vienna, Dec. 8. The Northern district of Croatia, in South-east Austria, which last month suffered so terribly from earthquakes, has again been visited by a severe shock, which has caused further damage to the town of Agram and its surround ings The panic wli ich previously pre vailed amongst the inhabitants lias been renewed with increasing intensity. The greatest consternation exists, and the gravest fears are entertained that fur ther shocks of earthquake may have a worse effect than any yet experienced. Another Murder in Ireland. London, Dec. 9. News has been received of another serious and murderous outrage in Ire land. A bailiff, while executing a decree for eviction of a tenant from a farm at Cookstown, in the County of Tyrone, was set upon by the tenant and a number of his sympathisers, and mur dered by them, before he could escape. A Sunstroke. Calcutta, Dec. 8. The Viceroy, the Marquis of Ripon, who had recently recovered from the fever which attacked him at Allahabad in the north-west provinces, is now de tained at that town by a serious sun stroke which he has received. His Excellency is completely prostrated, but his medical attendants give hopes of his early recover}'. Dec. 9. Frequent telegrams have come to hand regarding the Marquis of Ripon. The latest bulletin reports that His Excellency is rapidly recovering from the effects of the sunstroke, and is now out of danger.

The Basutos. Capetown, Dec. 8. News to hand from the seat of hostilities in Basutoland and adjoining dirtiicts states that after several seven; engagements between the colonial forces and tribes of Pondos, the latter have, owing to a succession of defeats, been utterly routed.

AUSTRALIAN.

(/it ReuleAs Agency.) Deserted.

Melbourne, Dec. 9,

In the Legislative Assembly, to-day, Dr. L. L. Smith, the meinver for Rich mond, has proposed a vole of want of confidence in the present Ministry. All sections of the House disclaimed having been consulted on the motion. Sir Bryan o‘Loghlen has crossed over to the Opposition corner.

A Trip Home,

Brisbane, Dec. 9.

The leader of the Opposition party proceeds immediately to England, it is understood with a political object in view in connection with the accusations lately made against the Hon. Thomas Mclllwraith, the Premier.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press AsoociaUon.) Wellington Supreme Coiu-t. Wellington, To-day

At the Supreme Court this morning, sentences were given as follows :■ —Joim Watson, attempted suicide, discharged on his own recognizance of LlO, and one surety of LlO, to keep the peace for twelve months ; Achun Leitch, receiving stolen property, one month ; Ellison, alias Thompson, two charges of larceny, two years and one year, to run concurrently ; David Collins, horse stealing, one year ; John Gumming, forgeiy, throe years ; George W. Garratt, larceny, not guilty. Appointment. Colonel Leckic has been appointed Licensing Commissioner, rice Mr. Kebidl, resigned. A Police Superintendent Damaged. Nelson, To-day.

Air. Acheson, the Superintendent of Police, whilst getting off the tram car last night before it had quite stopped, fell, breaking his left arm above the elbow. The fracture is a bad one, but his medical adviser says lie will be able to resume duties shortly.

Caledonian Sports.

The following are the entries received for the different Handicaps : Open Handioap HuPvDLE Race, 440 Yards —W. Bayliss, 0. Jephson, John Connor, Fred. Mayo, Fred. Morcshoad, C. Risely, Thomas Organ.

Grand Handicap Flat Races —2oo yards, 300 yards, and 400 yards.—Raynor Hoddcr, Alfred F. Lechner, TcdOughten, D. Gilmore, William Bayliss, John Connor, Thomas Organ, Richard Lechner, John Groves and C. Risely. Half Mile Handicap, Flat Race— Albert Hugo, Raynor Hoddcr, Richard Lechner, G. Spray, John Groves, William Bayliss, Fred. Mayo, Thomas Organ, C. Risely. Open Handicap Flat Race, One Mile —Albert Hugo, G. Spray, John Groves, William Bayliss, Fred. Mayo, J< hn Hunt, Thomas Organ.

SPORTING.

Oamaru Races.

Oamaru, Dec 9,

The races were not largely attended, and the events were yoorly contested, the fields being small. The following are the results :

Maiden Plato.—Sylvan in, 1 ; Levant, 2 ; Emerald, 3. Seagull also started. Oamaru Handicap.—Luna, 1 ; Ada mant, 2 ; Libeller, 3. Won by a length. Publican’s Handicap.—Randwick, 1 ; Clarence, 2. Counties Plate. —Little John, 1 ; Jean. 2 ; Ned Kelly, 3. The Hack Race was won by Jack, and Maori appropriated the Benevolent Scurry, which brought the first day’s run ning to a close.

DISTRICT COURT.

ASHBURTON.— Friday, Dec. 10. (Before His Honor Judge Ward.) Fergus v. Peter. Claim L 195 for damages for wrongous conversion of oaten sheaves and seed wheat. Mr. Purnell for plaintiff, stated that L 22 had been paid into Court. Mr. Harper appeared for defendant. Win. Fergus—l am a carrier, but in 1878 I was cropping and carrying. I had two teams of six horses each, and em ployed two men, and was living at Alford Forest. Had been carrying-for Mr. Peter for the past six years, and occupied IG3 acres of Ins land, which were cultivated by me—principally in wheat and oats. I made an application to Mr. Peter to allow me to store the wheat in his wool-shed. This was before the crop was reaped. I also asked liberty to stack my oats on the land, and I would fence the land in. I told Mr. Peter the oats wore for fee d for horses. I was not to pay for these privileges, and lie gave me leave. I stacked about 30 tons of the oats. I have sufficient experience of oat stacks to be able to reckon this stack at that weight. There were twelve five-horse wagon-loads. The oats were very good, and the value of oaten sheaves at that time would be L 5 per ton. I had to pay that figure to Mr. Peacho, Mount Somers. This land would be about 20 miles from Ashburton. Oaten sheaves are clearer as a rule at Mount Somers than in Ashburton. Mr. Peache’a land is seven miles off from where the stack was, and was the only place at hand where oats could be got. 1 had to cart Peaches oa J s to Alford Forest, seven miles. I do not include the cartage in the price of the oats when I say they cost L 5 per ton. I was living at-this time on my own land at Alford Forest. After I had stacked the oats I left Mr. Peter’s land, and went to live at Alford Forest. On the 2Gth of June, 1879, I sent three men to Mr. Peter’s place to get the oats— Donald Kellis, Peter Gobiu, and William Bennet. They had two drays, of three horses each. They were to bring two good loads of oaten sheaves, to be cut into chaff for my own horse feed. The men came back without the oats. They were not sent again. They were away a whole clay. Their wages were 255. a-week and board. A day’s wages at that time would have been Bs., and the hire of a team 20s. per day, I had to buy chaff in consequence of not getting those oats. I stored 500 bushels of oats in Mr. Peter’s woolshecl, and removed all except 35 bags of 4 bushels each. It was Hunter’s white, and was seed wheat, worth about 4j. 6cl. per bushel. I removed the portion I took away with Mr, Peter’s consent, and ho never claimed any payment, I sent Gobin and Kellis for the 35 bags in July of 1879 —with three horses and a dray. They came home without it. The bags were worth lOd. each. I I wrote to Mr. Peter on the subject of the wheat, and he said ‘‘ Well, are you going insolvent?” By Mr. Harper—l was occupying Mr, Peter’s land, and the rent was LI an acre. I was renting IG3 acres, and had not paid any rent at the time I was refused the wheat, but there was an account between us. Friedlancler had a lien over the wheat. Mr. Peter let me put in the

wheat, and gave me the key to take it out. 1 gave him back the key when 1 was done. I told Mr. Peter that I had sold the wheat to Mr. Taylor, and ho said he would take the balance at the same price as Mr Taylor had paid. I swear there was no arrangement with Mr. Peter that the "rent was- to be paid out of the proceeds of the wheat. When the thirty-live bags wore in the shed the rent was not paid, as I did not know how wo stood. Mr. Peter took an action against 1110 for rent, which I hid to pay. Previously to July i had removed only enough oaten sheaves to cut afo.vbags of chaff'—only a few hundredweights. There was no arrangement between my self and Mr. Peter as to the slack; being’ left on the ground as security for the rent,. I did not.go myself for the wheat but sent men with teams. I sent u letter to Mr. Peter asking for all that belonged to me. The drivers went for oats to the stack only once. I had no agreement with Peter to do ploughing after the land had been cropped. I never asked Mr. Peter’s permission to take a chaUentlcr to the stack. I had not the key of the wool shed when I sent the men for the wheat.

By Air. Purnell—There was a dispute between myself and Air. Peter as to the rent. He charged me for the year pre vious to 1879,■'having promised not to do so. There is stillan account between him and I. The arrangement between him and myself was made on Air. Peter’s own station. I did not say how long I should want the land with the stack on it. We were on good terms. The wheat was to remain in the shed till I got a bettor price, and there was nothing sa d as to.the wheat being a security for rent. The Lo a ton paid to Air. Peache was for sheaves which my own man cut, with my own chaff-cut ter. I suppose tiny all lent a hand. I do not know the exact value of oaten sheaves at. that time. Peter Gobin wanted lo know about his expenses before he would give his evi dence. Ho had come a hundred miles— from Waikari Flat. His Honor made an order for L2 Is. 3d., and the examination was postponed until plaint ff made pay ment.

Weymouth Roberts—l am a contractor, and do threshing in the season. I have never been asked to value oats, but 1 can always give a a fair idea of what a stack will yield. I was threshing in Fergus’ land. There were two stacks, a small one and a large one 1 threshed the small one and left the large one, which was fenced in. The larger one would have yielded -100 or 500 bushels, and at that time oa : s were 2s. Bd. or 2s. !)d. a bushel. The stack as it stood would, be worth about L 4 a ton, and would bo about 20 tons in weight. The stack was perfect when I saw it, well made, and pro perly covered. I also saw the wheat ;it was a good sample. By Mr. Harper—l was threshing the wheat in the same paddock as the oats wci’e in, and passed within a chain of the big stack. Donald-Kellis, ponndkeeper at Alford Forest—l remember the stack of oats in question. 1 helped to build, it. There were 10 or 17 wagon-loads in it. The vehicles used were a large wagon and a big dray—four horses in the wagon. The stack v oulcl weigh about 30 tons, and was properly built and fenced. I was one of tiro men who went for Fergus’ wheat in July. The other was Peter, the French man. Gubin asked for the wheat. Mr. Peter replied by asking if Gobin bad brought money to pay for it. Gobin said ho hadn’t, and Mr. Peter would not let us have the wheat. We went to Mount Somers for chaff afterwards. Mr Peter had the key of the wool-shed. I saw the stack about six months afterwards, and it was strewn about, and ithacl been eaten at by stock. The next time I saw it, it was in a worse condition, and was a good bit pulled down, having been seriously in jured. There were wheat sheaves amongst the oaten in the stack —ab(iut a couple of loads. All the sheaves were hand bound,. We took away one load before Mr X'eier stopped us. William Bonnet—l was in Fergus’ em ploy in Juno, 1879, but did not assist in stacking the oafs. The big stack was fenced when I went at Fergus’ order to Help remove it. The pigs had been about it, but had not damaged it. There would bo 25 tons weight of feed in it. Shortly after last Christmas I saw tire stack. It was considerably injured then. Peter Gobin —Fergus’s stack was pro perly built, I was sent uith two other men to get the oats in it. It was fenced then. I estimate its weight at about 40 ton. About a week afterwards I and Kellis wont for the wheat. We met Mr Peter in the riverbed, and 1 asked for Mr Fergus' wheat. He replied had I fetched any money to pay for it. I said no, and he said 1 could not have it unless I paid for it. I had no written order. I did not get the wheat. I have since been carting for Mr. Peter. About six or seven months ago I saw the stack, it was in very bad condition, much smaller, and all open on the top. I wont to Pcache’s for the chaff. It was cut by Poacho’s cutter and bis men. , Fergus did not send a chaticuttcr with mo in the dra y- _

- W. S. Peter —Fergus rented my land at LI an acre. There was no written agreement signed because no witnesses were present. Fergus came when the wheat was cut and asked if I would take Fried lander’s guarantee for the rent. I said I w mid do so, but advised him not to sell as the price of wheat was low. I offered to take a deposit of wheat, to lie in my woolshed as security for the rent. He accepted that offer, and put in, he said, dOO or 500 bushels. He came to mo and asked the key, saying he had sold the wheat to Mr Taylor, who would pay me. I have received no payment from Sir Taylor. The balance lies in the woolshed now. When Gobin and Kellis came for the wheat I at first refused to deliver it, and then asked if they had a written order. I do not remember saying they could get the wheat if they paid for it. It would have taken 1,000 bushels to pay the rent, but he only pjLit 500. The stack of oats was on fenced ground. i made n.o arrangement with him about the stack. Before the balance of the wheat had been sent for, I stopped the men from taking away the oats. The stack was Cieu badly fenced, and they bad taken a load off’ the top. The side of the stack appeared as if half the stack had been taken away It was a badly built stack, and had no roof. I had it put in order, and hadatarpaulin putoverit. Some time afterwards the waste stuff lying about was put on the top, after the tarpaulin was removed Mackenzie's pigs did the stack a great deal of damage. My over l seer weighed the stack, which was com posed of wheatgu and oaten sheaves. Fergus did not dispute his right to pay me LIOO rent. I never waived my right to that money, on account of him taking other land. As a matter of fact he did dispute the rent, but that was after wards. Ho had a cent] a account aga : nst me. Ineverseized hisreapingmachine,but I seized the stack, The wheat lie put into the wool-shed as security for the vent, I allowed Fergus to remove the wheat on the understanding that he was selling it to Taylor, and that Taylor was to pay me ; I bad no order on Taylor, as I believed Fergus to be an honest man. Kenneth B. Bain—l am overseer on Mr Peter’s land. Fergus had loft before I went to the place ; I remember the stack. In June, 1879, it was in passable condi tion. Tile top had blown about a good deal. The rats had been about it; I was ordered by Mr Peter to weigh the stack— that was last winter. It was compoiod tf wheat and oats, 75 cwt 2 qrs of eats, and 48 cwt 3 qrs of wheaV We weighed everything and stacked afresh ; I do not notice that any animals had been at the

stack. A good many rats and mice were in the stack, and had clone a good.deal of damage. A stack like that would become lighter after standing two years. After counsel had addressed the bench, His Honor gave judgment for L 42 12s and costs, defendant to return the 35 bags of wheat lying in the woolshed. Saunders v. Irvine.—Claim L 36 2s 3d on an order drawn upon defendant and ac cepted by him. Mr Purnell for plaintiff, and Mr Harper for defendant. Adjourned for a month at cost of plaintiff. IN BANKRUPTCY. Applications for order of discharge— Granted —Joseph. Ward, AT. 11. Robinson, J. A. Smith, C. J. Truckle, S. ill Hand, F. P. Leßreton. Mr Purnell applied for an order to ad judicate Janies Fletcher a bankrupt.

CHARGE OF FORGERY.

A charge of forgery was hoard to-day by Mr Nugent Wood against Herman Cooper, Rakaia.- Sergeant Felton, sworn, said—Prisoner was brought to me yesterday at Rakaia by Constable Rowse. The constable showed witness a cheque, which he said boro the signature u' Robert Patton, Methven. I know Air. Patton’s signature, and am sure that it w: s not his. Told the' constable to arrest pri oner, and charge him, with forging and uttering a cheque. Asked prison ;r if he under stood the charge, and he rep ied-—“ Oh, yes. I did not write the cheque myself, bull know who did. I. suppose I’ll do twelve months for it.” Asked him his name. He said —“ I won’t give my name, it’s a respectable name, and has never been disgraced yet ; and, as I have done this foolish tiling, I’ll bear it.” By prisoner—You told me that you knew the man, hut did not know his name. You said nothing about finding the cheque about three miles from Meth ven.

Constable Rovvse—l went to Mr Hardy’s store at Rakaia yesterday, (the 9th) at about half-past four. Prisoner was in Mr Hardy’s office. I got a cheque from Mr. Hardy (produced). Px'isoncr said he re ceived the cheque from Mr Patton of Methven, in payment of wages. The cheque was for Ll 3 4s and ho had been working for three months in a shingle pit for Mr Patton, Gave the cheque back to Mr Hardy. He returned it back to me with the words ‘‘signature unlike” marked on it. Prisoner said he did not write the cheque, but he knew who did, and wouldn’t tell. This was said on being taken to the lock-up. By prisoner--You told me yon did know the man who wrote the cheque. By the Sergeant—l remember you ask ing the man’s name, and saying that if you knew him you would subpoena him. 0. A. Q. Hardy —I am a merchant resid ing at Rakaia. I saw prisoner in my store at Rakaia yesterday. He purchased some goods to the value of L 3 11s Gd. He tendered the cheque in payment, pro duced. I doubted the signature, and he said he got it from Robert Patton, in wages. Thinking there might be a second Robert Patton, I asked if it was the hotel-keeper at Methven, and he said it was. I pre sented the cheque at the bank, and it was returned marked “ Signature unlike.” I gave the cheque to constable Rouse. The constable was in my office before the cheque went to the bank. In the con stable’s presence I asked the prisoner his name, and lie said that was his name in the body of his cheque. I asked him to endorse the cheque and ho did so. He wrote both the names written on the cheque. Prisoner said be had got the cheque himself from Mr. Patton for work ing in a gravel pit. Robert Patton, hotelkeeper, Methven— I have a oanking account at the Now Zealand Bank, Rakaia, and have a cheque book from that bank. The first number in the cheque-book is c. 22,752, and the last c. 22,843. I miss three cheques from my books—c. 22,702-3-4. The cheque predated is c. 22,702 The signature to the cheque, “ Robert Patton,” is not mine. I have seen prisoner at my hotel, hut I never knew his name ; he was never in my employ, and I owe him no money I generally car. ymy (h qu. -book with me, but on occasions leave it in a private room. I always p; irk on the butt of a blank cheque the name of the person to whom it is given, and take the cheque from the back of the book, I am quite sure I never gave the prisoner a cheque, nor did I give the cheque produced to anyone. I was in town on the Gth, and the cheque-book was in ray private room. By prisoner—l never saw you in my private rooms—nowhere except in the bar. 1 do not remember when I saw you last at my hotel. V. A. Pyke—l am agent of the Bank of New Zealand at Rakaia. Mr Robert Patton has an account at our bank. The cheque-book produced was supplied by our bank to Bdr Robert Patton. At tire time the cheque-book was issued the cheque alleged to have been forged would have been in it. There are no two cheques of the same Bank of the same number. Three cheques have been torn out of the cheque book. The forged cheque is one of them It was presented for payment at the Bank yesterday. I refused to cash it because the signature was unlike Mr Patton’s. He is the only Robert Patton in the district. The prisoner said he did not write the cheque. The three cheques, as jar as he could see, had been stolen. He found the cheque in an old pocket book, about two or three miles from Methven. Ho could read and write his name in English, but was no scholar, and did not know whether the cheques was right or wrong. Did not sign the cheque on the front, but wrote the names on the back. I only told the policeman that I was working for Patton, but it was false, and was only told to get away. When asked to sign the declaration, prisoner simply wrote the word “ Edward.”

His Worship committed prisoner for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Christchurch.

McFlauncry heard a gentleman say 7 of another that ho had a too benign coun tenance, and remarked : “ A 2 be 9 coun tenance ! Fhwat a face to be sure.” Why is i the happiest of vowels? Because it is in the midst of bliss ; e is in hell and all the others in purgatory. Young women often keep their lovers by tears. “ Yes,” says Grmnwig, “ love, like beef, is preserved by brine.” A good story was told some years ago to a Galveston colored congregation, whose Easter had bucked off the Sunday-school unds at monte. Be was duly tried, and the verdict was : “ The Rev. Ainihiclab B'.edso am acquitted of the sin of gam bling, pervided lie pays de money back by next Sunday 7 night. In,the meantime the members of dis ’ congregaslnm is warned against playin’ keards wid brudder Bled so.” Holloway’s Pills.— A certain cure for Headaches, Bile, Loss of Appetite,'and Low ness of Spirit.—These Fills can be taken with out danger from wet or cold, and require no interruption from business or pleasure. They act mildly on the bowels, strengthen the stomach, and promote a' healthy action of the liver, whereby they purify '.he blood, cleanse the skin, brace the nerves, and invigorate the whole.system. They effect a 'truly wonderful change in a debilitated constitution, as they create a healthy appetite, correct indigestion, remove bile, giddiness, headache, and palpita tion of the heart. Plain directions for the use of this medicine, at once so mild and efficacious, are affixed to each box. .

THE RAILWAY TARIFF.

Public Meeting at Wakanui. The farmers iu.tho Wakanui district evidently feel keenly on the subject of the railway tariff, for, notwithstanding the strong nor’-wester that was blowing last night, between fifty and sixty of the best man in the district attended at the Wakanui schoolroom to enter their pro test against the now railway tariff, and to add their signatures to the memorial on the subject, to be presented (o the Go vernment.

The meeting was summoned under the auspices of the Road Hoard', and nearly all the members were present. In the absence of Mr. H, T. Winter, the chair man of the Hoard, Mr. A. G. Earle was voted ho the chair, and explained the, object of the meeting, which was mure particularly to allow the farmers to express publicly their dissatis faction with the tariff as it now existed, and which bore with undue severity upon the fanners of the colony and of the dis trict of Ashburton in particular. Before they left that evening a memorial to the Government would be presented to them for signature, and lie felt sure every man would add bis name. (Hoar, hoar.)

Mr. James Brown moved the following resolution :—“ That this meeting is of opinion that the present railway charges for the convej’anco of agricultural produce arc very much too high, and ought to bo immediately reduced" to what they were the last grain season.” He spoke very strongly against the tariff, as did also Mr. David Wilson, who seconded the motion.

In response to a question by Mr Paynter, Mr. Fricdlander, Mayor of Ashburton, explained that the difference in the freight of wheat from Ashburton to Christchurch between the old tariff and the new one was o|d. per bushel. In speaking on the subject of the tariff he said ho was not astonished that at this time of the year that farmers had not much time to read the newspapers, but, though they were not perhaps in possession of all the de tails of the unfair working of the tariff’, they al! know that it would tell with great effect upon their incomes this year. This ■ county, exported more than a fourth of the grain grown in the colony, and conse- it would feel the pinch of a heavy tariff on grain more than any other part of the colony. But the great grievance of which the farmers in this district had to complain, was that it was expected by Ministers when the railways were first laid, that if they paid five per cent, they would do well; The Canterbury lines paid more than five per cent, on the cost of their construction, while the Otago lines which had been constructed at great cost, did not pay. anything like that par contage, and the tariff had boon raised at an equal rate all over the colony, Can terbury thus having to pay for the unpro ductive'railways in the colony. A writer in the Morning Herald, in Dunedin, had stated that the Canterbury people were making a great cry about this matter, but that they were making an outcry: about what they knew nothing. The writer evi dently was writing on a subject of which ha knew nothing, or he never w r ould have ignored the very much larger quantity of grain that was carried over the Canterbury lines than over those of any other district. After further noticing what had been said and written in Otago in regard to Canter bury lines, he went on, in reply to a ques tion by Mr. Load ley, to say that no oppo sition was being made by Otago people to this tariff because it W'as to their interest to support it. Were the linos south and north to have tariffs imposed according to their cost of construction, the Otago lines, which had been made over Lilly country, would require to carry their traffic at a far heavier rate than those in this district, and therefore it did not suit the southern people to make an outcry about this tariff being too heavy. An adjustment according to coat of construction would of course make the southern lines charge a still heavier tariff’, and the southern people of course did not want that. After some further remarks from other speakers, the resolution was unanimously passed. Mr. David Wilson moved the following resolution : “ That tins meeting thoroughly approves of the memorial drawn up by the Committee appointed by the public meeting held at Tinwald to the Minister for Public Works, giving cogent reasons why the railway charges should bo reduced, and pointing out the great in justice arising from the many inconsis tencies of the present railway tariff..” The memorial to the Minister was then read, at the request of several gentlemen. Mr. Brown seconded the resolution. Mr. George Loadley said it had to be borne in mind that, while Canterbury’s railways wore paying a profit of 9 per cent., an increase of o|d. per bushel had been made on their carriage, while only

the same increase had been made upon

the tariff in force on lines which were not yielding anything like that rate of profit. The tariff' would be felt with special se verity by this district, as grain was the staple product of it. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Sir. D. Butterick moved—“ That this meeting pledges itself to use every incans in its power to have the railway tariff purged from its many inconsistencies, and to place our public works under the management of a Minister who has some knowledge of his business, and some sense of justice as between one part of the country and another.”

Mr. F. Cass seconded the motion. Be tween Rolleston and Christchurch they wore not holding any meetings, as they were doing here, but were simply setting about carting their traffic, instead of send ing it by railway 7. That was, perhaps, the most striking protest that could be made against the tariff. (Applause.)

Mr. Brown said the tariff would cost farmers a penny more per bushel for the carriage of their grain, and this would mean a stiff item &n their cost. The Rail way Commission had urged that the lines all round should be made to pay 5 per cent., and by this new tariff, Canterbury 7 lines—which already paid 9 per cent. were made to contribute a shave of this 5 per cent. After referring to some of the irregularities of the tariff, Mr. Brown concluded by saying that the Goverment who supported this new impost ought to be opposed by all the farmers. Mr. George Colo asked what was the increase on the carriage of cat Te. It was explained that the increase was 4s. per truck to Christchurch. Mr. Earle spoke of Mr. Maxwell as a gentleman who was very willing and ready 7 to hear ail their complaints, but when a deputation from Southbridge wanted to wait upon him recently he found it con venient to shuffle off’ to Wellington. Mr. Wilson said that in the event of his being charged an additional penny one y 7 ear he would not pay 7 it a second year, for grain-growing was unremunerative enough already. Mr. Harrison said there were so many inconsistencies in the tariff that he scarcely knew where to begin. The Mayor, at the Ashburton meeting, men tioned one in particular where it was cheaper to send goods from Christchurch to Timaru and then back to Tomuka, than it was to send them direct to Temuka. He made some other extracts from the tariff showing its absurdity, and then proceeded to describe the difficulties that had been encountered in the construction of some af the southern lines as compared with the easily made lines thx-ough level Canter bury. After a reference to the cheap rate at which grain could be carried in America, ho "went on to say that it was not so much incompetence on the part of the southern people that caused this blunder as it was a feeling of antagonism to Canterbury. He had seen this feeling cropping out in,

many cases, but it was a most suicidal one, as many farm implements manufactured in the South found their way into Canter bury, notably those of Reid-and Gray. Instead of doing all it could against Canterbury, Otago should do its best to favor it, as the welfare of the one pro vince was the welfare of the other.

The motion having been passed unani mously, a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and to Messrs. Friedlandor and Harrison, and the meeting termi nated, after every fanner in the room had signed tire memorial.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

RAKATA, DECEMBER 9th, 1880. (Before Mr. N. Wood, 11. M., and Messrs. D. G. Holmes and B. S. Coster, J.P.V). STRAY CATTLE. Walter Hartnell was fined 5a., and 7s. costs for one cow found at large in the town. V7m. Kemble—four head of cattle at large, fined 10s, costs 7s. Win. Doherty— one cow at large, ss, costs 7s. John Boucher —two cows, 55., and coits 7s. Charles Lake—lo horses straying on Railway terrace east, fined 10s., costs 7s. Charles Lake, jun.—four horses, fined 10s, costs 7s. A COW ROW. Lake v. Sharp—Claim L 5, damages for an assault said'to have boon committed by defendant. For the plaintiff, Dr. Foster ; Mr. Ti eland for defendant.

There was another case of assault be tween the same parties, and by consent of counsel His Worship decided to hear them both together. Charles Lake said —I am plaintiff in this case. I have a son named Edward Lake. On the day mentioned in the summons he was out in my paddock. I heard a noise from my place. I saw my son Edward, Thomas’ Hogan, and Mr. Sharp in the paddock. There was a row going on. I wont out to where they were. The row was over when I got there. I saw nothing of the affray. My sou was there when I got there. ’He was leading the pony. Edward Lake said—On the day in ques tion I was in my father’s paddock. Saw Mr. Sharp in the paddock. His cow was in our paddock. Thomas Hogan was on our pony driving some horses out of the paddock. Mr. Sharp sang out to Hogan that he would pull him off his horse if he (Hogan) did not leave his (Sharp’s) cow. alone. Hogan was driving the horses, and the horses were causing the cows to run about. I told him to leave Hogan alone. Sharp then came up to me with a stick and said he would show me what he would do to mo. Sharp caught Hogan and pulled him off his horse, and he fell under the horse’s feet. I caught the pony tliat Hogan might get clear of him. Sharp then seized me by the throat and held me till I was nearly choked. I said nothing to Sharp at the time. Hogan made Sharp let me go. Ho said nothing to Sharp. By Mr. Ireland —I said nothing to Sharp. Will deny it if he says I did. Hogan was riding the pony when Sharp pulled him off. I was close by, but said nothing . I caught the pony when Hogan came off. Did not pull off one of the stirrup leathers from the saddle. Did not leave one in my hand. Did not threaten Sharp with a stirrup leather. Hogan was standing by me when Sharp seized me by the throat ; he made Sharp let me go. He pulled Sharp away from me. Hogan caught him by the back. Hogan did not strike Sharp with a stirrup leather. Sharp used bad language to me. I said a few things to him ; I suppose they were not very good. Hogan was driving horses out of the paddock. There were cows among the horses. They were not going very quietly. I know Sharp has one cow; Ido not know whether he has more. His cow was in the paddock. Heard Sharp call out to Hogan to leave the cattle alone, or he would drag him off his horse. The paddock is not iny father’s own property, it is a Government paddock. Sharp’s cattle have been there before, and they have not been driven off. Thomas Hogan said—l am in the em ploy of Mr. Charles Lake. On the day of the assault I was sent by Mr. Lake to fetch a mare and foal from Mr. Lake’s paddock. Mr. Sharp enme up to me and said, if I did not leave the cattle alone he would pull me off the horse. I did not threaten him with a stirrup leather. By Mr. Ireland—-I did not strike Sharp’s cow. I was about 150 yards from the cows. Ido not know Sharp’s cow. I could not say if Sharp’s cow was in the paddock. I said nothing to Sharp. Sharp pulled me off the horse. Edward Lake caught the pony when I came off. A stirrup leather came off with me when I fell. Lake did not touch the leather. When Mr. Lake, senior, came up the row was all over.

By Dr. Foster—My shirt was torn in pulling me off the horse, and this stick (stick produced) was broken on mo. Sharp brought the stick on the ground when he came. The stick was partly broken, and in taking it from'Sharp I broke it completely, that he should not strike mo with it again. He struck me with it three times.

0. Lake, senr., recalled by Dr. Foster- On my way to the paddock I met my son coming back. He said, “Father, I was never so near dead before.” When I got where Sharp was I took off my coat and told Sharp 1 thought he was more of a man than tight with a boy. I said, “Come on and fight an old man. Sharp abused me shamefully. By Mr. Ireland—The row happened about noon. I had been about the place all day. I was perfectly sober, and remember all the circumstances.

J. N. Sharp said—l am defendant in this case. On the day in question I was passing by the Government paddock when I heard the cracking of a whip. I looked over the gorse fence and saw young Hogan galloping the ccws about. He had a loaded whip. I could not say whether he struck my cow. M3 7 cow was there. Edward Lake was in the paddock, lying under a fence. . I asked Hogan what he was doing. He told me to mind my own business, and tried to ride me down. I took hold of him and pulled him off his horse. Edward Lake then snatched off a stirrup leather from the saddle, and threatened to dash, out my brains. 1 pushed him away and he fell to the ground. I don’t remember catching him by the throat, but it might have happened in the excitement of the moment. Hogair struck me. Old Lake when ho came up pulled off his coat, and put his fist into my face. He was the worse for drink. We are not by .ana 7 means on friendly terms. By Dr. Foster—l had ho stick in my hand at the time. I picked one up in the paddock. When I pulled Hogan off the horse I was interfering to prevent the cattle being driven off the land they have been running or for several j 7 eara past. B. J. Westbrooko said—l was at Mr. Sharpls house on the day of the assault. Sharp looked out of the window and said, “ There's that buy driving the cows again. ” He went out to the paddopks. I went into the , garden, and Mrs. Sharp asked mo to go and call Mr. Sharp home. Saw Mr. Lake there. He was very excited. It might have been from passion. His Worship said in his opinion there had been no assault proved. He would give judgment for defendant in both cases. Costa in one case, one guinea. MORE OF’ IT TO COME. Lake v. Sharp—Claim LSO, for damage to fences. Dr. Foster for plaintiff, Mr. Ireland for defendant. ' .. Chas. Lake said—l am plaintiff in this case. About a month ago I saw Mr. Marsliman, Chairman of the Waste Land Board. I asked him whether there was any possibility of leasing the unsold sections near my place, as the land is very valuable for the feed there is on it. Mr. Marshman said the land could not be

rented, but there was nothing to hinder anyone from fencing it in. By Mr. Ireland—l have been occupying the land for a month. Other people’s cattle have been running there. At this stage the case was adjourned to Thursday, 13th January, without costs. THE UNFORTUNATE PIANO. In the case of Clark v. Fear-son, heard last .Court day, his Worship now gave judgment, nonsuiting plaintiff, with costs.

Longbeach Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held on Monday last. Present —Messrs; Grigg (in the chair), Chapman, Dawson, Dobson, and Wright. v . WATEBTON CEMETERY., ■■ ; ; A Correspondence was read from the Ash' burton County Council asking if it .was the wish of the Board that the new ceme tery at Waterton main school should be brought under the provisions of tlxe Cemeteries Management Act, 1877. The question was ordered to stand over till next meeting. SEVBRBNOB QUESTION. : - - ' A letter was read from the : same, enclosing a copy of the reply of the petitioners in favor. of the. Tinwald- Winalow district to the statement sent to the Colonial Secretary by this Board. Mr. Wright said that he could not see why the Board should oppose the separa tion of that part of the district, as in the. alternative event of this "ward system being introduced, retaining that portion would he no financial advantage to the rest of the district, seeing that all moneys raised in any ward would have to be spent in that particular ward. He would move —That this Board sees.no just reason for opposing the desire of the settlers at Timvald and Winslow to consitute those localities into a separate Road Board disy trict, with the boundaries described; in their petition. ” Mr. Chapman called attention to the fact that a counter petition had been signed by sortie of the residents near Winslow and Chatmoss, and sent to the Council. Under these circumstances he thought the question should be left for the Coun cil to decide.

The Chairman, before putting the motion to the meeting, wished to disabuse the minds of the mem bers of the erroneous statements and insinuations contained:in the reply [already published in a former issue Of the Guardian]. The relative values of Tinwald district and Longbeach estates were unfairly quoted, inasmuch as the value of the buildings in Tinwald and, Winslow wore made to increase the averf age value per acre of tha pboror ’.and lighter quality of arable land, and in say ing that judges of Assessment- Courts in a great measure lean to, if not generally, sustain, the official valuation, especially if the Chairman supports them, the reply in sinuated that the Chairman was trying to exercise an unfair influence, whereas, as Chairman, ho had no loots standi, and if a julge was influenced by a Chairman (unless he was a witness) he would bo guilty of partiality. He (the Chairman) would act with perfect loyalty to the Board, no matter which way they chose to vote.

The motion was then put and lost, the voting being Ayes—Messrs. Dobson and Wright ; noes—Messrs, Chapman, Dawson and Grigg. GRAVEL PIT. From. Mr. J. Bell, stating that, as it was now nine months since the Board decided to purchase 1| acre from him as a'; gravel pit, asking that the matter’may be settled, or he be paid at per yard for the gravel taken. It was resolved to pay Mr. Bell L2O ; on ; account, and the Clerk to see that the necessary transfer was made out at once. ADVERTISING. From the Ashburton Guardian, asking for a share of the Board’s advertising, . Resolved —“ That, although the Chiar di'-in was now an evening paper, it should have its fair share of the advertising, as it had much the same country circulation as heretofore.” . . RESERVE AT WHEATSTONE. From Messrs. .W, Steyena. and Jamas Escott, each applying fbr -the usd of the gravel reserve at Wheatstone. As it was one .of-the conditions on which" | Mr. Escott took up' the ‘lease ’of " ike Wheatstone hotel from Mr. Wilcocks, who formerly had the use of the reserve, it was. decided to let Mr. Escott have the reserve provided he paid up the back rent left un paid by Mr. Wilcocks. TINWALD, : . - It was decided to have' the' three posts removed at Tinwald opposite to Graham’s road, and the approach-to the railway T crossing at this place properly fenced. LONGBEACH ROAD. It was also decided to make a way of escape for accumulations of flood water at the corner of Osborne’s and Longbeach roads. GENERAL BATE.: The rate-book for the year 1880 was received, and as there were no objections to it, it was signed by three of the mem bers of the Board. Moved by Mr. Wright and agreed lo— “ That a rate of 9d. in the'£T be.*struck":'* on the rateable value of ■ all. the property in the Longbeach road district for the ■ nine months ending 31st September, 1880.” ■.'..-..V,.' f, . ”]( It was further moved by Mr. Wright and agreed to—“ That, no further rate than fid. in the £1 be levied by this Board | for the year 1880. ” ’■ WINSLOW ROAD. ' It was decided not to proceed with the re formation of the road from Willowby to Winslow at present, and to return all the tenders for the same. -■■■■-- LOWERBEACH; ROAD. - . . L The Surveyor was directed to have the •approaches to all the bridges on the Lower- -- beach road attended to. : \ RAY-SHEET. The pay-sheet, amounting to £SB 10s. 4d., was examined and passed for ~ and the meeting adjourned. .'

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

HOW I BECAME THE FASHION. At this they, all laughed, and Lord, •;> Snappington said would I honor him. • by making use of ; his ? He didn’t want it for the rest of the afternoon if I liked to drive. He was so pressing that I really couldn’t refuse to go to Inverness Terrace in it, although I : hardly expected the wonderful footman to know where it was. ■ I declare when ; i found; myself in. 1 the carriage quite alone I rubbed my eyes and pinched my fingers. I .could ■' hardly help thinking that I :had fallen .-..T asleep and had dreamt all this, but just ;■!-> as I was pinching myself hard I saw ’ Charley and Matilda, standing ~ oil pavement in looking very ' hot • and uncomfortable, I put my % head out of the' window and calledtto ; j the grand coachman to stop. , The man looked at me very wickedly, r but I didn’t care. I jumped out/and' never felt more pleased than when I got hold of Charley’s arm , and the fine carriage had driven away empty. ; - Anything , like! the ' amazement .ofi ./ Charley and Matilda, when they, heard , my adventure, I never saw! They/ wouldn’t make head nor/tail of it any! ,!! more than myself ; only one thing was „ clear to me, that T must get home ‘andi t r have, something'to eat I was so faint ;V with excitement and hunger. We all

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1830.



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