vineeis that were to be robbed for that purpose, made ng strong protest against it, and three of them were found willing everi to join a . Government whose 'dis tinguishing policy was the Colonial appro-' priation of the land fund. Of coarse this was a death blow to the goose that had so long been laying golden eggs, and as the -land fund was taken away and spent in.< a manner that no longer , opened up more land for sale, and only fostered the extravagance of a thoughtless selfish Go vernment, and provided means to in fluence the votes of those over-represented parts of the colony whose land fund had long: been exhausted, the land fund itself ceased to flow in, and all calculations based on its continuance proved entirely dec ptive. ’ All this was becoming very apparent during the session of 1878, and should then have been met by firm and vigorous measures; of additional taxation. But his own. temporary, popularity was far more Important in Sir George Grey’s estimation than, the credit or permanent prosperity of the Colony, and that popularity he tried to secure by taking off a tax'that did not : wist one penny to collect, and putting one on;that he was never able to collect at ,all, and that will have cost the Colony very nearly as much aa. it.. will yield when it is collected. • Finding that more taxation • was -necessary to keep up even a pretence ,of making both ends meet, he attempted a most ill devised, beer tax; but as that was of course not popular, and as it was putt' ng the tax cm exactly the shoulders from which, he had promised to remove it, and was most strongly opposed by his own party in the liouse, he abandoned both it, .and the Companies’ Income Tax with out preparing ’ any thing in their place, although both had been declared by his Treasurer to be necessary, and were really far more necessary than anyone at that time supposed; However, the only neces sary thing with' Sir George Grey was that he should continue Premier, so on he ...went without the means that he knew, and had officially declared, to be neces sary to pay • hiii- ! way, but still adding io ihe expenses of the Colony iii fill ' directions, increasing salaries and offices, adding to the Legislative Council, spending LIO.OOO a j'ear on theHinemoa, and- sowing money broadcast among the natives, with; an .utter disregard of all

Pavl’ainentary control. An attempt was made to hide the great deficiency of revenue to meet expenditure by charging to loan more than-a quarter of a million, that shop Id have" been paid out of revenue, for the defence of the colony, the erection of school buildings, and the payment of the Armed Constabulary! ' But even that fraud would not carry him beyond the

30th. of last June with any. appearance of

paying his way, and the present financial yeai was entered on with a rate of ex penditure to revenue that, besides all the filching from loan fund, would leave an excess .of expenditure over the revenue of the year of no less than L 951,000. Such, was the state of the finances of the colony W'heri Sir George Grey, like iCharles the First, had reluctantly to

■Mteijiis Parliament, which he had to put VTCmtil more than three weeks after the close of the financial year. He of course soon received the dismissal that he must have expected from an assembly of men, the majority of whom were able and wil ing personally to investigate the proceed ings of the past year, to give blue books a preference to h’s fictions, and to be little influenced by his eloquence. Still, he is not the man to d, own while there is a straw to catch at, or even a nettle, dnd as much as he rails ■ against Governors, he persuaded Sir Hercules Robinson to grant him a dissolution at a time, and under circumstances in which a dissolution certainly ought not to have been granted ; at a time when the general depression of the colony required evident attention; when its-public finance was in' utter darkness, and demanded immediate investigation from some one able to fathom it, and honest-enough to. .reveal it. The vote of no confidence, too, had been based; not bn ary'difference of policy which the country might "decide, but on the grounds of incapacity and mismanagement which the House alone was in a position to judge of. Nor should a dissolution have .been granted under any circum- . stances without a redistribution of seats, which had long been much needed, which" justice to Canterbury especially demanded, and which could only be effected immediately before a dissolution of Parliament. However, such considera tions had .no weight with Sir George G rey, and if ‘they were duly weighed by Sir Hercules Robinson, he preferred the .in convenience, the expense, and the,risk to the colony; to the personal abuse he was sure to receive from Sir George Grey at all his meetings, if he had refused him the, opportunity to try his power of de ception oncemore on the - electors,- backed aa. herthen was; by all the influence of place and power, the unscrupulous ex penditure of public money, and the gift of public positions. :• Prior to thisi, his only able ..and . trustworthy Minister, Mr. Stout, the Attorney-General, had resigned his seat, both in the Ministry and the House, and Sir George had, no doubt purposely, quarrelled with and driven away his Treasurer, Mr. Ballance, to get that portfolio into his own hands, as no .Treasurer, however unprincipled or obsequious, could ever be got to do what Sir Georjge afterwards did in that capacity himself, and the most perfect concealment of the real state of the colony Was indis pensable to any successful appeal to the electors. I bis rupture with the Treasurer was so managed, that while Mr. Ballance could not meet or speak to Sir George Grey, he was on the most friendly terms ■p-ith. all the other members of his ■Ministry, and by that means .was pre vented from making any damaging dis closures. ~~ Besides which, Mr. Ballance ,;Waaiknown to have left the Atkinson and Eos party in a manner" that would render itrimpossible for him over to join them again. .To .the House, Sir George Grey found one pretence after another for giving them no: .'financial stat unent; and by taunting them with a fear of meeting their consti tuents, and of ruining, the Colony if they delayed, in any way, a loan of j five mil lions, he actually got them to so far abandon their duty as to pass and send Home a five million loan Bill, without being accompanied with any financial state ment,- and to go back to. their constituents for election without being able, to tell them anything about the financial state of-the Colony, or the crushing burdens thaT his reckless mismanagement and ex travagance had rendered necessary, at a when the Colony was so little-able-to • * it ' '

boar them. All this should have been prevented by the Parliament firmly re fusing to grant supplies until Sir George Grey was dismissed, which would have left the Governor no option in the matter. In the election that followed, whilst the truth had been thus effectually concealed, even from the representatives of the people, all ’the resources of the Govern ment were unceremoniously and un scrupulously used to disseminate false hood and every description of misrepre sentation.

Sir George sped from North to South, and from East to West, in the Hinemoa, literally promising that if he were pro perly supported there would be no room for discontent, because “everyone would have everything they could desire.” Newspapers were ordered to support cer tain candidates and to oppose others, as cool ty and as peremptorily as a servant would he told which fowl to kill and which to keep alive. Tiie Colonial Secretary has since stated on oath that he sent be tween 300 and 400 telegrams, and the Native Minister that he spent LOO on election telegrams out of his own pocket, besides those that were discovered in consequence of being charged to the public account. Seats in the Legislative Council were offered as a reward to candi dates who undertook the most dangerous contests, as freely, and almost as openly, as books are offered as prizes to the best boys in our public schools, although each of the seats so conferred would add at least £4OO a year to the future ex pense of our Government ; whilst the land tax collectors in the South Island, and native land purchasers in the North Island, were made to perfectly understand that their chief duty was, not to collect the tax, not to purchase native land, but to return to Parliament men who would support Sir George Grey through thick and thin. The result was a very narrow escape to the colony of another year of his fatal 'misrule, which could not have failed to end in the bankruptcy of New Zealand. No less than 32 of his old and well informed judges were changed for new ones, and the consequence was that a Government condemned by a majority of 14 in the old Parliament was condemned by a majority of only 3 iu the new one. Of course a nearer and less obscured view of such a Premier as Sir George Grey, and of such Ministers as would work with him, insures that a large proportion of those who honestly expected to support him will learn that they cannot do so, and for that reason that great danger is now pro bably passed for ever. Each month in the House of Representatives has not only lessened the number of his supporters, but has also demoralised those who are left to him, arid a glance at the two sides of either House of Parliament, as they ,at present exist, would convince the most careless observer how little of intelligence, independence, or honesty is to be found still aohering to the late Prem er, whose pedigree, whose education, whose position, and whose eloquence would all have claimed sup port if they ■ had been united with the more essential qualities of which he has proved so sadly deficient.

The taskof his successors is no sinecure ; they must cease to woo the the popularity which, he was ready to buy at any price; they mustdouble the burdens which he always talked of lightening, and which he did lighten for a time, with suchfataleffect onthe burdens of the future ; theymustcur tail the salaries which lie has increased ; and. they must make enemies of the sup porters whom he so freely hired at the public expense. If they are wise enough, and bold enough, and honest enough to maintain our nearly lost credit, to put the unwelcome burdens on. the right shoul ders, and to cut down useless expendi ture without favor or affection, they will have earned a jyatitude which they may nevir obtain, but’ they will reap the ap probation of the wise and thoughtful, and will be able to remember with satisfaction the depth of degradation from which they will have saved the colony, which has now entrusted its destiny to their hands.

Advent of 1880.—The first noisy notice our usually quiet township received of another year being com menced in Ashburton was the spas modic yell of a Yankee engine at midnight, and further music followed from the brass band, about a dozen larrikins, and a shilling’s worth of Chinese crackers, the whole performance taking place in a pelting shower of rain. As the larrikin element required some excite ment to keep" "themselves warm-, the peace of the township was disturbed about 12’30 by a few clangs on the firebell, which had no worse effect than bringing the Brigade out on a fool’s errand. A wish was heartily • expressed that the fellow who rang the bell would break his leg on his way home. We do not join in this too emphatic wish, but would like to point out to the youth of the town that the .firebell is rather too severe a tiling to tamper with, even on a New Year’s Eve.

WiNHEOw Sports,— The following are the entries for the Winslow Cup :—Tam o’ Shanter. Steamer; All Fours, and Orange Peel. ' ■

Thu Circus. —Chiarini’s circus which is to give a performance in Ashburton on the fifth January, is tilling up a very suc cessful season in Christchurch, and" bum per audiences reward the nightly appear ances of the performers. Important to Publicans.— At the R.M. Court on Tuesday morning a case cropped up in which one of the parties pleaded the Tippling Act, to get out of paying a claim against him. He had been a servant of the defendant in the action, and after a good deal of argument the Magistrate decided that where it could be shown .that drinks were supplied in the ordinary way of trade to lodgers or ser vants residing on the premises the Tippling Act did not apply, and that the parties having such refreshment supplied to them were liable for payment of the same. His Worship also" stated that he would make this case' a precedent for similar actions in the future.

Fire. —On Monday, about noon, the house of Mr. Henry Beckett, fanner, Wakanui, was burned to the ground. It appears that Mrs. Beckett was preparing the mid-day meal, a raging nor’-wester blowing at the time, when a spark caught the thatched roof and took such an immediate hold of the building that Mrs. Becket had the utmost difficulty in getting out of the house without being able to save a single article of clothing or furni ture. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Beckett, who is universally respected by Iris neighbors,.

Thu Pantomime. The pantomime which'is promised to be produced in Ash burton soon is drawing large houses in Christchurch. Methodist Vigils -Last night, being New Year’s Eve, the usual night watches were kept by the WcCvyan and Primitive Methodist congregations, and the services were fairly attended.

The Weather.—The old 3 r ear has de parted, and the ne .■ one arrived with a most unwelcome 11. . :,fall of rain. It is not a consoling statu of things at what is, and ought to be a joyous season, and we fear that early heavy crops will suffer. These are, however, not numerous, and the wheaton the plains, of which the acreage is by far the most extensive will not suffer by the outpourings of the clouds, but as even these farms have had enough, now harvu;-: b so near, it is to be hoped that by tlio rime this issue is in the hands of our readers that they will shake hands and wish each other a “Happy New Year,” with a cloudless sky, and the bright sun shining over them, and the same weather continue for a month at least.

The Fire Brigade. —The usual fort nightly practice of the Fire Brigade took place last night, and was a most disagree able one, the rain coming down in a steady shower the whole time. Probably the practice would have been postponed ; but it had been decided that the test of the Havelock street well should take place, and the Committee appointed from the Borough Council had been invited to attend. As a spectator remarked, the practice was in ivery sense a “ wet” one. The well in dispute was first tried, and as many men as could get round the engine tackled the handles. After trying it with a |in. nozzle, then two A-ins, and finally a single inch one, it was deemed advisable to see the result of a trial of the double tube wells for the sake of comparison ; and the engine was shifted to the well opposite the Bank of New Zealand. A difference for the better was at once noticeable. Mr. 8. Hardley, the con tractor for the Havelock street tube, considered the trial unfair to him, as he. asserted the water was at a higher level by five feet there than in his well, and proposed a trial of the one opposite Montgomery’s buildings, which was at once assented to by the Brigade. This trial at once demonstrated that the Mont gomery’s Buildings well was by far the best tried during the evening, the inch nozzle throwing a splendid stream, although the engine had fewer men pump ing than at Mr. Hardley’s well. After I’mbering up, the men were ordered to fall in, and His Worship the Mayor thanked the Brigade for the work they had done, and informed them that the result had been sufficient to enable the Committee appointed by the Council to decide upon the matter in dispute, between the Council and the contractor. The meeting, which, in spite of the in clemency of tlie weather, was largely attended, then dispersed.

Extending i he Service of Summonses. —His Worship laid down a rule on Tues day bearing upon the service of sum monses. It happens in a widely scattered district such as this, and one in which the population is to acertain extent migratory, that the bailiff finds a difficulty in effect ing the service of a summons on a defen dant in time for the date of hearing; it then becomes necessary to “ enlarge ” the document, that is to extend the date of hearing till a later Court day. It is usual in Resident Magistrate’s Courts to have this d no in open Court and thereby give all parties connected with the case due notice of the adjournment, Some in stances have happened in the Ashburton Court in which the enlargement has been made by the Clerk of the Court, and parties to suits have attended Court on the day for which they were first warned, and have in some instances travelled long dis tances, and found on arrival that the case has been postponed to some future date. His Worship- at Tuesday’s sitting ruled that it was competent for the Clerk to ex tend the date of hearing of cases. We very much question the wisdom, if not the legality of such a rule, as it is not only likely to leadto confusion but also to throw an undue power in the hands of a subor dinate officer of the Court, and does not give publicity to enable the public to take due advantage of the protection the Court is supposed to provide thorn with. Moreover it is not customary to invest the Clerks of Court with such privileges in other districts, and we think his Worship has delegated his powers in a direction which will not be for the good of the public.

TE LEGRAPHIC.

AMERICAN NEWS.

(Aae Special.) New York, Bee. 20.

A fire in Boston destroyed many public and private buildings, occasioning much distress.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Reuter's Telegram.) Sydney, Dec. 31.

News lias been received from Noumea that 16 convicts, who recently over powered the guard, seized a schooner, and escaped from New Caledonia, were re captured on the 12th by the French trans port,Dives, which went in pursuit.

(Special.) Melbourne, Dec. 30.

For the Champion Race betting is three to one on the field, The St. Alban’s stable has not declared to win with First King, Pctrea, or Avernus, consequently there is little speculation. Melbourne imports and exports for last year show an aggregate falling oil" of over three millions, compared with previous years.

(Age Special.) Sydney, Dec. 30.

It has transpired .at Hong Kong that the police have been in the habit of ship ping criminals to Australia at the rate of 40 at a time. Small-pox is increasing at Hong Kong. It is reported that Eng lish officers are training Chinese troops for service on the Russian frontier.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, Dec. 29.

The Hon. J. Sheehan, it is stated, comes here this week to settle and prac tise at the Cambridge and Native Lands Court, probably in partnership with an other legal gentleman.

The Lincolnshire deputation left here to-day by train for the Waikato. The party will proceed, in the first place, to Raglan, visiting the adjacent country, afterwards examining the Waikato frontier settlements, and spending some time in the Piako country. It is expected that the party will be absent from town about ten davs.

The Rev. Mr. Edger preached a thought ful discourse yesterday on the good in fluence of the Sunday afternoon Messiah concert for the people. He held the announcement of this sacred concert as an initiatory step towards providing the public with rational and healthful amuse ment on the weekly day of rest, fore shadowing the opening of a new era of progress for Auckland. Auckland, Dec. 30. The Hero arrived at 1 a. m. from Sydney. A deputation of citizens and representatives of the Orange Lodges boarded the vessel and welcomed Pastor Chinicpiy. lie delivered an address in the saloon, after which the deputation retired. Everything passed off quietly ; detectives and police in plain clothes and uniform were on the wharf in case their services would" he required. Pastor Chiniquy landed in the forenoon. At a meeting of Orange Lodges last night it was resolved to furnish Chiniquy what ever protection and assistance he might require during his mission here.

Two Mormon Missionaries are here but unable to get a Hall to lecture inA £;;■ A number of officials in the Native Department are being dispensed with. The Hero brings 59 head pedigree cattle and bulls, including the Duke of Newcastle and Duke of York. A woman named Robinson, living at Pokeno, tried to dash a child’s brains out yesterday by hitting it against the bed post. The child is not expected to live. Constable Walker took the woman to the Asylum to-day. Her husband was away South at the time.

A fire broke out at the parsonage of the Rev. Mr. Calder, Hamilton, but was sup pressed through the presence of mind of a girl fifteen years old. A fearful hurricane passed over the Fijian group on Dee. 12, causing immense destruction of property. Levuka, the capital, through a fortunate change in the direction of the cyclone, suffered little in comparison with other parts. Not a banana or coooanut tree is left standing, and the sugar crop is partially destroyed. The Sydney brig Shannon and the schooner Ariel are on shore, and several smaller cutters and-crews have been lost. The brigantine Meg Merrilies, which left Auckland on Dec. 4, with passengers and cargo, would be in the vicinity of Levuka on the day in question, and she had not arrived on Dec. 21, so that fears are enter tained for her safety. Auckland, Dec. 31. Superintcndant Thomson, in accordance with instructions from Wellington, inter viewed the Chiuiquy Reception Com mittee, for the purpose of pointing out the responsibility they undertake in adopting any steps likely to disturb the public peace. He also acquainted them that he was charged with a similar mission to the leadersof the opposite party. Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Committee, replied to Superintendent Thomson that they wore well aware of the responsibility they in curred, and wore perfectly prepared to accept the consequences. The question was put to Thomson as to whether he anticipated any disturbances, and he re plied that so far as his information at present extended, he had no reason to think there would be any. A son of Mr. William Robinson, “ Herald” reporter, four years of age, fell off’ the parapet of a garden wall and died in a few hours from suffusion of blood on the brain.

Mr. Abraham Tovey, Maluirangi Mis sionary, is believed to be drowned, as his b sat and hat have been found.

Ghahamstown, Doc. 30. The Albumin’s clearing up for the month will give nearly dOOOozs, and a dividend of 20s on 800 shares, making LI 17s fid per share in two months. The mine is looking splendid. Shares are at L 5 10s.

Hawjska Plains, Dec. 30.

Colonel Roberts, Commander-in-Cliief, with Captain Wilson, visitedTitokowara’s settlement incog, yesterday, and was most graciously received by bis old antagonist. Colonel Roberts’ little army is in a thorough state of organisation. There is not the slightest probability, however, of war services being required. Wellington, Dec. 30.

Sailed —Wakatipu, for South. Passen gers—Mrs. Knowles, Messrs. Bonnington, Binns, and Sergeant Major Coleman, with 50 A. 0., who will bo distributed bo tween Timarn and Christchurch, to pre vent similiar outrage as on Boxing Day. In expectation of further riots at Christchurch and Timaru on New Year’s Day, 50 Armed Constabu ary left for the South this morning by the Wakatipu. Strong feeling on both sides has been ex pressed in Wellington, :nd if any oc casion for a gathering offered, stringent precautions would have to be taken to pre vent a collision. The arrival here of Pastor Ohiniquy is looked forward to with anxiety by all the peace-loving portion of the population, it is generally under stood that, as a matter of expediency, the local press will take no notice of him whatever. A rumor is prevalent here that both sides are rolling up men at Timarn, and it is causing much excite ment.

The Hinemoa loft for Msvnukau at 10.40 this evening, with His Excellency and Lady Robinson on board.

Owing to tho illness of Mrs Wheeler at Nelson, Captain Wheeler, of tho steamer Wakatipu, goes there by steamer to-night. Captain Cameron, ship’s husband of the Union Steamship Company, takes the Wakatipu South. An extraordinary meeting of share holders of the “Now Zealand Times” Company will be held on Monday. The business is in connection with the winding up of tho Company, in consequence of the recent purchase.

A man named James Dodds was drowned in tho Tauheru river at Carterton yesterday. It is believed that while crossing the river in a heavy fresh, ho was washed off his horse. The body was recovered.

Mr. Smith, who fell dead on the road at Carterton yestei'dry, is brother-in-law to Superintendent Scully, of the Napier Police. The “ Chronicle ” states that a number of Auckland and Wellington Orangemen have gone south to take part in a demon stration on New Year’s Day.

Oamaiu;, Dec. 30. The cricket match between Invercargill and Oamaru was won by the former, the scores being—Oauiaru,' 108 ; Invercargill, 129.

Heavy rain fed to-d. y, and it is re ported that in several places the crops have been laid. Very little damage can, however, have been done, as the rainfall was of short duration and there are signs of line weather. r

Dunedin, Dec. 30.

Close on 0000 persons booked at the Dunedin central station during the Christmas holidays. About 50 special constables are to be sworn in to assist the police, if necessary, in preserving order on New Year’s Day. Up to the present only three men have entered from Otago for the National Rifle Associate a’a meeting, to be held at Nelson in Feb- uary next. Two men, named James Midgley and Thomas Barren were arrested early this morning on a charge of stabbing one Elisha Harris, The depositions, of the wounded man were taken as follows ; “At 3.45 a.in. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1879, the men now present knocked at the door. My wife called “Harry.” I jumped out of bed and went to the door, and went to hit the tall man, that one now here. Hi., stabbed me Imre. I wont in. He went away. They , both wont away. I told my wife 1 avas stabbed. That’s all about it, and 1 make this de claration belie ing lam dying. I can’t ask him any questions.— Elisha H '.huts. ” The wound was immediately over the heart, and had evidently been inflate 1 with a penknife. Harris is now in a critical state. The affair took, place out side his house in Maciaggan street.

Inveucaugii.l, Doc. 31. At the Police Court yesterday. Lachlan Reynolds, a boy of Hi years, was com mitted for trial for setting lire to a barn. He was admitted to bail.

At a meeting of the Town Council attention was drawn to the insufficient number of railway carriages, and enquiries were ordered with a view to a remedy.

Per our Special Wire.

INTERPROVINOIAL. Auckland, Dec. 31. A man named PoterSmith, bushman, was discovered last night by Captain Farqnhar indecently assaulting a little girl at Free man’s Day. He thrashed the scoundrel, vho escaped. Detectives have identified a prisoner arrested for drunkenness as the offender, from the description given. Arrive!—Hinemoa, with His Excel lency the Governor and suite. His. E xcellency was received by Mosers. J. G. Clark and B. Tonka, on behalf-of the Jockey Club, which provided a carriage lb convoy him t< ■ the city. " . Sailed—Taoiora, for South. The Customs duties of the Port for the month were 1,17,17 d. An iuebria ed man stood on the line near the rang • as the .train came along. He staggered clear of the engine and then caught lin’d of the hand rail of the car riage. Tie was dragged along, but the driver Cooke slackened speed and throw the man clear of the rails. The plate layers seized the eccentric individu d, (who said he was one of the Kelly gang) and handed hhn over to the Police.

The Raton ihaina goes. to-morrow on an excursion down Hauvaki Gulf and round the Croat Barrier, visiting Port Abercrombie. A great crush of passen gers is expected.

The Minister for Public Works tele graphs to the Mayor that the Public Works contracts will be gone on with promptly.

Wkllikgton, Deo. 31.

A despatch from the Chief .Secretary of State for the C domes, assenting to the Acts passed in the first session of 1379, .ap pears in the Gazette. The designation of the General Mana ger of Telegraphs lias been altered to Superintendent. CnuiSTownnon, Dec. 31.

A young lad named James Kelso, who lives at St. Albans, was arrested this after noon on the charge of causing the death of a lad named W. R. Hobbs, on the night of Christmas eve. These two lads, it seems, belong to two mobs of boys who live at St. Albans, and some months ago they quarrelled with each other. On the night in question the two parties were in town, and Kelso and deceased, who were among them, renewed their quarrel in front of Poole's shop, Colombo street. Hobbs then went on towards borne, and Kelso is alleged to have followed and knocked him down. Hobbs was taken homes by two men with his jaw, temple, and arm hurt, he was better next day, and went to the cricket ground. Subse quently he complained of his head lining very bad, ho became worse yesterday, and died this morning. Messrs. Halo and Povbos have prepared twine from New Zealand flax for. reapers and binders, and a test was made to-day at Messrs Mason aod Strothers, It was successful. The deaths for December in Christ church and aiirrminding districts wore 14.3 ; niavriages, 39 ; and deaths, 37. These are a great improvement on . the statistics for the same mouth, last. year. The births during the year were 2051, maviiages 422, deaths, 700. The weather has cleared up, but. it is not at all settled. The rain was nut heavy last night, and will do no harm.

There .‘'.re 72 entries for the various events in to-morrow'a regatta at Lyttelton, which promises to ho a very successful

Ti’.iauu, Dec. 31. Wet weather has again set in, much to the detriment of crops. Oamaicv, Dec. 31.

The ha:;aar for the benefit of the Athenaeum was opened to-day by the Mayor. There was a good, attendance.

Dun mux, Deo. 31. Arrived—-Tui-arua, from Sydney via East Coast.

Tho baud competition at the Caledonian (lames, which commence to-morrow, has fallen through from Jack of entries, the Christchurch band being prevented from attending in consequence of the annual sports in that city having been-postponed froni tho original date until to-morrow. Mr. Joseph Clark has, through Mr. McKellar, made the handsome donation of a hundred guineas to the Tapanui Agricultural Association. Alisha Harris, who was stabbed the other day, is reported to have a chance of recovery.

Rain is falling, and the weather does not look promising for the holidays.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TAV RAIL WAY BRIDGE.

( Ratter's ) London, Dec. 29.

- During a heavy gale the girders of the Tay Bridge were destroyed. The train pro ceeding from Edinburgh to Dundee, while crossing shortly afterwards, fell througu the decking of the 'bridge into the river ; enormous loss of life insuod, although the exa.-t particulars are not yet received. It is' fearc I. two hundred pers >ns are drowned.

London, Dec. 30. It now transpires that none of the pas sengers by the Edinburgh and Dundee train, which fell through the Tay bridge, were saved. There were in all 90 vic tims. The gap in the bridge was half a nl(ie long. The actual cause of the col lapse of the structure is unknown. An official inquiry is to he held.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.

(Br Telegraph. ) The following railway returns for the four weeks ending Nov. 15 have been pnb'ishcd The first column shows the amount of receipts for the four-weekly term, and the second the percentage of expenditure to receipts : Kaipara Section ... £340 4 10 113’50 Auckland 4335 15 7 72-59 Napier ... ... 2154 13 ] 71*31. Wellington ... 2408 4 2 89'25 Wanganui 4034 1 0 77*28 New Plymouth ... 450 14 9 99'40 Christchurch, j Dunedin, and J- 40,370 16 9 90*36 Invercargil l J Grey mouth ... 7*27 511 88*07 .Nelson 504 17 10 90*83 Picton 321 210 98*92 Totals... £51,932 0 0 87*29

THE TIMARU RIOT.

(from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Timap.'J, Dec. 30,

The Oimii '.;e:nen have resolved to liave no proce sou or demonstration on New Y ear’s Day, and it is anticipated every thing will pass oil" quietly. Ten warrants for the arrest of the Boxing Day rioters have been issued, and will he executed to-day. Since the arrival of the Dunedin police the footpaths have been cleared of loiterers. Kerrymen are indignant at the invasion of their privileges. It is alleged that nearly half the male Catholic congre gation hold up their hands in compliance with Father Oh itainger’s appeal on Sun day, and tint the rest would have done so hut they did not understand his remarks. The weather shows signs of breaking up for the holidays.

The police complain that the nmnber of men in Timaru is quite inadequate for the size of the town and and number of the population. TiMAnn,,Dec. 31. Warrants have been issued for the ap prehension of fourteen rioters. Up to the present six have been arrested. Yes terday a letter was found on the person of one of the arrested, bearing the signa ture of T. O’Driscoll, a well known publi can. The contents .veto to the following ef'ect. !

“ Oomo in, boys ; cclme in at once. The Orange -logs are goiijfg ■to ■ inarch. We must stop it, boys. /I'-will spend live hundred potmd'vto stop thorn. We will cut thorn up in inches'first. ‘(T. O'Diuscoll.

“ Excuse this scrawl' 1 ” The letter was hill before Commis sioner Weldon, a warrant was ordered to issue, and at midright the valiant O’Driscoll was conducted from his bar to the lock-up. He had been sworn in as a special constable a few hours previously. Later, At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before a fall Dench, Patrick O’Coniiur, Patrick Shea, John Denehy, Lawrence Towers, Maurice Moynahan and Thomas O’Driscoll, wore charged with talking part in the, riot on Boxing‘Day. All were remanded to January 3rd. ODrisooll is licensee of the -Hibernian Hotel, from which the procession of Irish men started. A letter was found from him on one of the other prisoners, yvhich showed he had been the principal cause of the Waimate Irishmen coming up. Bail was refused in all cases, O’Driscoll’a hotel was ordered to bo closed till January 6th. The following letter was read : “ Timaru, Dac. 2-lth. “ Mr Moj-nahin;—Dear sir, I am in formed on the very best authority that the Orangemen are going to march on St. Stephen’s Day in Timaru, so, if you will tell some of-your friends to come to help to obstruct the ruffians ■we Tfmavu people would be greatly obliged) as there need be no fightinv. only io stop their progress, as I exp&CfTthej' are only pre paring forChiniquy. I am sendingaccounts everywhere I can. They are going to march under the protection of the -Foresters and Oddfellows —so Mr. Harney was telling me this day. So you shall see that they will march if they are not stopped. That you and your friends are enjoying good health, and wishing jam a merry Christ mas, 1 remain, Thomas O’Diusooi/l. P.S. Excuse this spelling.” This is the letter referred to in tho former telegram. The streets to-night are crowded with people, but no disturbance is anticipated. Fifty Armed Constabulary arrived from. "Wellington to-day. It has just tran spired that all the country volunteer corps have been called into town to-mor row. At a meeting of Roman Catholics last evening, at which Father Ohataigner presided, the following resolutions were unanimously passed : lot.—“ That all Catholics deprecate and disown any interference, direct or in direct, with any Orange demonstration that may take place on New Year’s Day, or at any other time. ” 2nd.—“ That this meeting pledges themselves to use a’i their influence with their friends and acquaintances not to oppose in any way - demonstrations of Orangemen that may take place on New Year’s Day, or at any other time.”

3rd.—That mrinted copies of the resolutions passeaftfc this meeting, with extracts from Bishops Redwood and Moran’s addresses on Sunday, be scat tered broadcast 'at once, and placed in the hands of all Catholics.

THE AFGHAN WAR.

GREAT VICTORY.

{Age Sjrerin/.) London, Dec. 21. The Afghans attempted a surprise on the British cantonments at Shupua. -The

Britisn were for warned and replied by a determined cannonade, with havoc. The loss was estimated at 20,000, They tried to storm entrenchments, and after two days’ fighting the Afghans retreated to the hills, the cavalry pursuing. General Roberts re-occupied Batta Hesta, without resistance, removing large quan tities of gunpowder from the City of Afghan. The loss was enormous. It is believed a general dispersion of the tribes in combined opposition to the British has taken place. Mahommed Jan, who commanded-the rebels, has es caped.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL.

On Tuesday the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall, at the corner cf William and

I’ancred streets, was performed by the R.W.D.D. Grand Master Bro. Henry Thomson, assisted by the Grand officers, and a Masonic choir under Bro. H. J. Weeks, organist, M.M.O. The brethren and visiting brethren met in the Town Hall at haif-past 12 o'clock, and, aftersome Masonic business, they marched in procession to the site, where at 2 o’clock the cetemony was commenced by the choir singing the 100th psalm, after the Grand Master and the brethren had assembled round the stone. Prayer followed by the G. Chaplain, and then the stone was raised while the choir sang a Masonic anthem, “Hail, Universal Lord.” Secre tary Zander then read an illuminated in scription, detailing thecircumstances under which the hall was built, which was deposi ted in a bottle along with the newspapers of the district, and the coins of the realm. The inscription ran as follows “ The foundation stone of the Somerset Masonic Hall, in connection with the Somerset. Lodge, No. 1811, was laid this 30th day of December, 1879, by H. Thompson. R. W. D. D. G. M. Contractor—G. Parkin. Architects—Fooka and Son. Officers— Henry Stephenson, W.M.; R. W, Shear man, P. M.; C. Braddell, S. W.*: .Tames* Bradley, J. W.; Harry Friedlander, S. W.; Thomas Underill, J.D.; R. Friedlander, treasurer; Henry Zander, secretary:;-J. b. Savage, J.D ; H, Pickford, tyler ; Rev. E. Paige, chaplain; H. J. Pass, organist ; J. M. Oarubridje, master of ceremonies ; J. Canning, C. Reid, stew ards. Trustees—R. W. Shearman, Henry Stephenson, and Hugo Friedlander. This Lodge was established on Bth June, 1877, and now numbers 87. The hall to cost LBOO. ” The usual Masonic ceremonies of plumbingy levelling, and squaring the -.stoip' were then performed by the propvU' officers, and the D. D. G.M. declared the stone laid, and completed the ceremony by scattering corn, pouring wine and oil upon the stone, and invoking the blessing of the bounteous Author of Nature upon the iunabitants of the place, his care and guardianship of the workmen against accident, and a supply of the coni of nourishment, the -wine of refreshment, and the oil. of joy. He then shortly ad dressed the bx\ thren, as also aid, at his request,the Chaplain, Brotherthe Rev. W. E. Paige, who pointed out the beauties and benefits of Freemasonry. Incidentally the Chaplain mentioned a case in which a boy had been reared, educated, and set up in business by the bounty of the Masonic body, which was ever careful of the welfare of its members, and conserva tive of the better principles of humanity. Amongst the Lodges represented were : St. Agustine, Canterbury,, and Robert Burns, Christchurch ; Unanimity, Lyttel ton ; Southern Cross, Kaiapoi ; Progress, Southbridgo ; Pacific, Hokitika ; Southern Star, Nelson; Waitaki, Winchester; Sb. George, South Canterbury;, and Somerset, Thistle, and St. John’s, Ash burton,

The new hall is situated at the corner of William and Tailored .streets, and oc cupies an excellent position. The. out side measurement of the building is 72ft. by 29ft.. The front part, over ante and refreshment rooms, has walls 20ft. in height, the main hall walls being 15ft, with coved ceiling, the centre of which is 13ft. high. The hall is 53ft. long, by 2<ift. Gin. broad, and is built in proper masonic position. The two ante rooms are 15ft. by 10ft. each, stairs from one of which lead to a refreshment room, 26ft. Gin. by 15ft., situated upstairs over the ante rooms. Two . circular-headed inullioned windows light the refreshment rooms, and the ante-rooms are lit by two circular-headed windows. A passage, 6ft. wide, divides the ante-rooms, and leadsto the main hall. The front, though simple, is very handsome, and is of red brick with cement facings. The foundations of the building are.of concrete. 2ft. above the surface, from -which- -iSso.’.'■brick- walls, the main walls and but*^;sses'being 14in. and the rest 9in. 11 u h e cost of the edifice will be LBOO, without furni ture, and it will be completed by March Ist next. ■ The money has been raised in LI shares, subscribed by Masons. The site was bought by the Somerset. some time since.

Brethren from all the Lodges in the district, and many from a great distance, were present and took part in the proces sion, which, on re-forming, marched back to the Town Hall for the ceremony of in stalling the officers of the Somerset Lodge.

Masonic Banquet. — The banquet unj der the auspices of the Somerset Lodge of ' Freemasons, in honor of laying the foun dation stone of the new Masonic Hal) and also of the installation of officers for the onsuingyear, was held on Tuesday night, in. the Lodge-room. The purveyor was Bro Shearman, of the Somerset Hotel, and 120 brethren did honor to his good things. Representatives were present from Lodges all over tlie district between Ashley and the Waitaki, and after the cloth had been removed the usual Masonic toasts were duly honored. Amongst these were the D.D.G.W.M., Bro. Thomson, who suit ably replied ; and the officers past and pre sent of the Somerset Lodge, to whom high tributes were paid. Brother Thomson, in referring to the charities, of the order, said that during the past year L 40,000 had been paid by the Masonic body in the support of three charities—one for boys, another for girls,—sons and daughtersbf deceased or indigent masons—and a third for old masons who had become reduced in circumstances, and also for the wives and near female relatives ■of such. The evening was spent with the usual conviviality, toast, soiig, and sentiment being the order ,of the night, till half-past eleven, when the .. brethren obeyed the stern summons of respectability and retired to the bosoms of their families.

\ Thwday, January i, issa i

tHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

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