SHIPPING.

* STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For Wellington— Ringarooma, This Day, Thursday, Feb. 5. Passengers by 3.35 p.m. train. To be followed by the Wakatipn. For Napier, Gisborne, and Auckland —Ringarooma, This Day, Thursday, Feb. 5. Passengers by 3.55 p.m. train. To be followed by Hawea, on Satur day, February 7. Passengers by 10 p.m. train. Foe Port Chalmers Waitaki, on Thursday, February 5. Passengers by 12.10 p.m. train To be followed by Penguin, on Satur day, February 7. For Melbourne, via Bluff— Arawata, on Monday, Feb. 9. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Ringarooma, on Tuesday, Feb. 17. _ Fob. Sydney Wakacipu, on Friday, Feb. 6. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Rotorua, 12th, Tara rua, Thursday, February 2G. Foe Hobart Town Ringarooma, on , Tuesday, Feb. 17. For Picton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau Waitaki, on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train.

COMMERCIAL.

The usual fortnightly sale took place at Tinwald yesterday. The attendance was good, and sheep were sold at an ad vance of about Is. a head over last sale day’s prices. Cattle suffered a decline, and some very good beasts were sold, •which did not realise more than IGs. per lOOlbs. There were no pigs offered, and they are in demand.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. This Day. By Messrs. Edmiston Bros, and G undry, on the premises of Mr. Steele, Burnett street, at 11 o’clock —engineering tools, &c.; also, at same time and place—trus tee’s interest on T.S. 131, Ashburton.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1880.

Nelson is a quiet, sensible, pretty little city—one that makes enough money to live on, but does not seem to strive very much to increase its income. It _ talks much about the resources of the district of which it is the capital; but somehow those resources do not seem to progress towards development. So Nelson is no less quiet, no less pretty, and its good people no less social and amiable to-day than during the time of the pioneer settlers. But though from our Canter bury ideas of things we cannot set Nelson down as in any sense a go-ahead place, we must certainly allow that there is one thing in which she is prominent—and that is education. From her college down wards to her most petty infant school, Nelson is replete with educational advan tages of a high order, and if her youth is untaught, or vulgar, and illbred, it is not because their native city was untrue to them in not providing the means of education. But Nelson has reason, along with every other town in the colony to complain that there are larrikins in her midst, and we gatherfrom a recent reporthy the Inspector of Schools for the Nelson district that lar rikinisrn is sufficiently rampant in quiet, godly Nelson to call for special notice at his hands.

Mr. Hodgson, the inspector referred to, makes some very wise remarks on this subject, remarks with which wo heartily coincide. In a very ably written report he reviews the state of the schools in his jurisdiction ; in the course of which ha defends the teachers from any blame that may be laid'at their doors for the lar rikinisin that exists. He points out that whatever power for good the teachers may exercise over the children during the few hours they are in school is neutralised by influences that come into action as soon as school is over. It would be a talented teacher indeed who could counteract in Ids few hours of teach ing time the baneful example of the street, and the laxity of home discipline ; and the responsible parties for the conduct of the child are most assuredly, as Mr. Hodgson says, not the teachers but the parents. It is home influence and not school influence wo must look to to form the character of our boys, and so long as children and youths arc left to the unlimited freedom of their own wills to graduate, in the profanity, obscenity, and vilcness of the street corner, uncurbed by wholesome paternal discipline, so long may we expect to have to speak of the in crease of larrikinism.

It is all very well to spend thousands upon education, to institute Boards of Educa tion and elect School Committes, but un less something more is done in the matter of home supervision and example the work of the educator can only be hut half done at the bosk What teacher, for instance, could fight against the terrible agency at .vork in our neighboring village of Chertsey —where mere lads just from school were allowed to remain out all night “ larking” (and the word conceals more than it con voys) with an old debauchee of a woman, who finally lay down dead drunk, un conscious that iier drunken husband was dying by her side. We do not hold up Chertsey as any worse than its neighbors. Unfortunately for the larrikins old Gough died, and their doings camo to light ; but there are many villages in our near neigh borhood equally bad, and residents who require to bo much abroad in our own township will bear us out when we say that for proficiency in rowdyism our own larrikins can vie with Chertsey. We have no wish to sermonise, but wc cannot but join issue with Mr. Hodgson when he says that if larrikinism is to be stamped rat it must bo s araped out in the homes of the larrikins, and not in the schools. “ Evil communi cations corrupt good manners,” is an old, old proverb; but it is as (rue to-day as it was when first the sentence was composed. Let a boy out to mingle unrestrained with the common herd who congregate at our street corners, to study the choice and ample vocabulary of blackguardism, and ho will not take long, no matter what his early training may be, to get abreast of his companions in pro ficiency. Vice is a department of street education very easy of mastery. Very little brains are wanted to be able to hurl vile language at a passer-by. Once the example of the street corner has done its poisoning work, the example and the pre cept of the schoolmaster will be left far, far in the lee. We can assure parents who allow their children to roamthese streets at night, and to be away from the good ex ample of their own homes, that they are exposing them to far greater danger than is infection from disease. Ashburton streets are no more free from loafers and ruffians—and some claiming to be respec table, too —than are the streets of other places in the colony, and the influence and example of these will tell in the end with fearful effect. Let the homo be pure —and make the boy stay in it. The street at night when the scum is flowing is no place for him. He is not safe, and he only swells the crowd of worthless idlers—from whom the colony’s “ criminal classes ” are invariably drawn.

Coal Company.—A new company is announced in Dunedin with a capital of L 15,000, to work the Wallsend colliery at Greymouth. County Council. —Only Messi-s Wright and Jackson, attended at the meeting of the Council yesterday, which was ad journed till the lOtli inst. The Deeding Twine Binder —The horses took fright, and smashed the gear of the Deering twine binder at Timaru, so that the public trial, which should have come off on Tuesday, had to be post poned. Funeral of Mrs. J. E. Buchanan. — The funeral of Mrs. J. E. Buchanan took place yesterday at 2 o’clock, and a large and influential company followed the deceased lady to the grave, where the last rites were impressively performed by the Rev. W. Kcall. Hew Railway Project. —A scheme has been mooted for connecting Kyle, Sea field, and Wakauui by railway with Ra kaia. The idea is to make an inexpensive line from what is known as Edwards’, to a point some two and a half miles from Rakaia. This line would collect the pro duce of a very large extent of country, and would he a great boon to the settlers between Rakaia and the sea. As yet the idea has taken no definite form, but the suggestion is being well received. The Otaki Post Letter Case. —The Stewards of the Wellington Racing Club have decided not to prosecute the post master at Otaki for ante-dating a letter containing an entry for a race. The horse Commission has been disqualified from running on any racecourse under the Club’s "conti 01, and the Secretary was re quested to communicate with the other clubs in the colony, asking them to sus tain their action. Stevens, the trainer of the horse, and Mr. Champion, the owner, arc to be disqualified, unless they can give a satisfactory explanation of their action. South Rakaia School Committee.— The usual monthly meeting of the South Rakaia School Committee was held in the Schoolroom on Tuesday evening. Present —Messrs. C. Tucker (Chairman), Hart nell, Cox, and Shcllock. The Chairman said that he had looked through the accounts of the late Committee, and found it impossible to make anything of them. He had some knowledge of balancing accounts, but these accounts beat him. There were cheques drawn by the late Committee which had been dishonored, and there were some accounts said to have been paid for which ho could find no vouchers. Altogether the late Secretary Mr Jaggar—who has absconded, bad left the books 3 of the Committee in a most un satisfactory state. He was sorry that Mr. A. Makeig, the late Chairman, was not present to throw a little light on some of the matters which at present seem some what obscure. He bad written to the Board of Education informing them of the present Committee’s financial position, and forwarding to the Board a copy of the late Committee’s accounts and balance sheet. A letter was read from the school master, giving sundry matters infor mation as to attendance, and asking to have a curtain hung across the school to divide the classes ; asking for the appoint ment of a pupil teacher, and informing the Committee that the December salary cheques had been dishonored. Three tenders were received for cleaning the school for a year, and after_ some little consideration the tender of Mrs. Hogan for Ll 3 was accepted. It was resolved to have the low place in front of the school door filled in with gravel. On the motion of Mr. Cox, seconded by Mr. Hartnell, it was resolved that the Chairman write to the Board of Education urging on them the necessity for increased school accom modation, owing to the rapid increase of children of school age in the district. It was resolved that Mr. Hartnell sign cheques in conjunction with the Chair man. The meeting then adjourned.

Caved in. —One of the Longbeach coach proprietors has found that running a vehicle without passengers is not a pi’o fitable business; and has accordingly with drawn from the spec, along with “certain impedimenta.” Mr. George Willcocks has the road to himself now, and with his dashing coach team is quit", prepared to convey all travellers.

Finn at the Rakaia Hotel. —About 2 o’clock on Tuesday morning one of the boarders at Mr. Partridge’s Hotel, Rakaia, was aroused by a strong smell of fire, and on getting up he found the passage full of smoko that evidently 'proceeded from an adjoining room. Ho immediately alarmed the inmates, and it was then found that a linen closet was on fire. The efforts of those in the house were successful in ex tinguishing the burning with a few buckets of water, but a large quantity of bed clothes, Ac., was destroyed. The loss is calculated at L3O or DIO. Cricket. — A muff cricket match takes place to-day between an Eleven of Ashburton, and a similar number to be selected from a Christchurch team. The match is to be strictly confined to “ muffs,” and nothing in the shape of professional bowling will bo permitted, and the “ un derhand ” business iu the trundling de partment will be strictly adhered to. A l l the ‘ ‘ fat contingent ” from Ashburton are engaged for the event, and it is expected that some of the halsmen will be con siderably out of breath by the time they get through their innings.

The Mount Sowers Railway. —Messrs Fraser and Co. have now laid the rails along the whole length of the Mount Somers railway line, and they will pro bably finish the ballasting this week. There will then only remain to be done the trimming and boxing, and these will be completed by the end of the month. The line should thus bo ready for the grain traffic which is bound to be in full swing about that time or early iu March. The line would have been finished ere now, but for the want of material —the Govern ment having allowed themselves to run ont of fish plates and bolts. The sleepers made use of for the line, the contractors tell us, are of a very superior class, being all of native timber, and procured from Picton, Oxford, and Waimate. The Lincolnshire Delegates. —Messrs Foster and Grant arrived in town about 1 p. in. on Tuesday, having been coached by Mr. J. LI. Crawley from Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s homestead. They were received at Quill’s Hotel by Messrs. John Grigg, Chairman of the Longbeach Road Board ; Hugo Friedlandcr, Mayor of the Borough of Ashburton ; F. B. Passmore, of Sherwood ; James Scott, Manager of Cliatmoss, Fairfield, and Chertsey; D. Cameron, of Messrs. Gould and Cameron; and other leading gentlemen in the district. At the hotel, host Quill had pre pare i for the gentlemen a sumptuous repast, the entertainment of the Agricul tural and Pastoral Association, and after this had been partaken of the delegates proceeded on a further tour of inspection, after which they will go southwards.

The Accident to the Rotomahana. — The finding of the Court of Inquiry into the cause of the accident to the Roto inahana by striking on a rock near the Great Barrier Island, on Jan. 1, while on an excursion trip, is as follows :—“ That no wrongful act or default can be attri buted to Captain Underwood in the striking of the Rotomahana on a rock on Jan. 1 last, but at the same time this Court is of opinion that the sending of such a ship as the Rotomahana on a plea sure excursion with a large number of passengers, to a port seldom visited by largo ships, and further, choosing a channel not even then usually employed, was highly injudicious, and is reprehen sible, and the engagement of a person as pilot who cannot understand a chart is blameahle. The Court finds that the con duct of the master and officers, after the accident, was most praiseworthy, there being no confusion nor unnecessary alarm on "board after the striking of the steamer.” Dbomore Goods Shed. —Tenders closed for this building on Monday. The Hall Government’s ideas of economy have taken a fresh departure over this job. It was well known to everyone in the colony, when the expenditure on this work was authorised, that labor was cheap and plentiful, and that contracts could be let at very low rates. Knowing all this, the Government put off the construction of this building until harvest operations set in, and then issued specifications of a most extraordinary nature. Imprimis, the value of the job is be ween LIDO an 1 LSOO. It is sot forth that it must bo finished in sixteen days, the penalty for over time being LlO per day, the deposit LSO, and the security LloO. This is what they call giving a poor man a chance. As it is, there is a strong probability of some big contrac tor from Christchurch stepping in and getting a good nibble, instead of local car penters, who could have done the work satisfactorily had ordinarily easy terms been offered.

Small Mercies. —By the courtesy of liia Worship the Mayor we have been favored with a copy of a telegram received by him from the Christchurch Railway Manager. It is as follows : “ His Worship the Maj-or, Ashburton—lt has been arranged that a carriage be attached to 1110 goods, commencing from to -morrow. Only first class passengers for Christchurch will be carried, as train will not stop at intermediate stations, ex cept at uncertain periods. --Fred. Back.” This concession to the requirements of an important district, we suppose, we ought to feel duly grateful for. But it is a remark able fact that only first-class passengers are to he considered in the matter, and even they, if they wish to keep them selves select, will now run a great risk of having their feelings trampled upon by the advent to a first-class carriage of some vulgar swagman in a burry to get to Christchurch, who may be possessed of the wherewithal to pay the extra four shil lings. Wc consider the manner in which the railway department has given way to the demands of the public can only be characterised as shilly shally work. A New Comet. —On Tuesday night resi dents in the township who cast their eyes towards the river between nine and ten o’clock saw a long narrow streak of light ascending perpendicularly. Many people were at a loss to know its nature, and not a few fancied, but for the absence of the moon, that the streak was part of a lunar rainbow. Local astronomers seem to be agreed, however, that the streak of light was the tail of a comet, and that comet quite a stranger. They are strengthened in this belief by telegrams from other parts of the colony, where the b'ght was also seen. The appearance of the stranger has been made suddenly, and no warning has been given to us of his approach, but bis advent will be something like a godsend to astronomers, who will now have an opportunity of making a satisfactory analysis of comet light by the aid of the spectroscope which has now come so much into use amongst them. Our astronomical reporter was instructed to take his position oa the “ Guardian” observatory last night, so as to give the most reliable intelligence re garding the comet. The report we re ceived from him was to the effect that he considered we were trying to come it too strong in sending him up on the roof on a wet night to look after a blooming star, and he .intended going for a nip of three star. Anyhow, things got cloudy, and, comet or constellation, we couldn’t get our astronomer to give us any further information, and it will be observed by our telegram? that all other parts of New Zealand are equally foggy about the celes tial visitor. One of them says it is “ Beat her serious,” but we can’t recall any star of that name to mind just now.

A New Business. —An advertisement in another column announces the opening of new premises by Messrs. Craighead and Co. as tailors and clothiers. Mr. Craig head is a gentleman of wide experience in his profession, having practised it both in the leading cities at Horae and in America, and we learn that in addition to carrying on business on behalf of his own firm, he has entered into arrangements with Messrs. Orr, to which their now advertisement to day refers. Compensation Wanted. —A drunken woman fell from a bridge into a stream near New Plymouth, the approaches to which were not properly protected. She was drowned, and her husband, feeling her loss, wants to lie compensated by the Now Plymouth Borough Council. The bridge was a private one, leading to a hotel. We should say the chances for compensation are small. Accident. —About 10 a.m. yesterday Mr. C. Smit’xel, contractor, who was riding a young horse belonging to Mr. R. Hudson (Yoi-key) in company with another young man, started to try the merits of their steeds on the shingled road loading to Alford Forest. On the preliminary gallop Mr. Smithcl’s near side stirrup leather broke, and he was dismounted, falling heavily on his head and back. He was at once conveyed to Dr. Ross’ residence, and it was then dis covered that some damage had been done to the sufferer’s spine, and up to a late hour last night it was not known whether the patient was out of danger or not. Tea Meeting —On Tuesday a very hearty tea meeting was held in the Primitive Methodist Church, to welcome the new pastor, the Rev. A. J. Smith. The meet ing had been postponed from a date pre viously fixed, and last night the little building was quite full, and betokened the enthusiasm of the people to whose spiritual wants Mr. Smith is henceforth to minister, and how popular ho has become during the short space of time ho has already boon in their midst. Streamers ran along the walls, bearing the device “ Welcome to our station,” and every thing indicated that Mr. Smith’s settle ment was a happy one, and likely to be successful. The tea tables, abundantly supplied, were attended to by Mesdames Puddiconib, Jowsey, James, Tilly, Lucas, Dally, and Taylor, while the indispensable “ bachelors’ table” was presided over by Miss Jowsey. At the usual after meeting Mr. Puddiconib presided, and in a short address welcomed, in the name of the people, the pastor to his new charge. Mr. Smith has only recently arrived from the old country, and brings with him high testimonials to his ability and success as a preacher, and those have not been belied by the experience of those who have had the pleasure of enjoying his ministrations. During the after meeting suitable addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. Smith, Rev. Mr. Beattie, Rev. Mr. Keall, and the Rev. Mr. Hammond, the latter a Wesleyan clergyman on a visit to Ashbur ton ; and an efficient choir sang several pieces very sweetly, Mrs. Yauglian also contributing Tennyson’s well-known song, “Too late.” The meeting closed at half past ten. An Undertaker’s Reason. —Tam Neil was wright and precenter in Edinburgh, and a very droll character in his way. Being questioned one day by a lady, at whoso house he was employed, as to the reason why people of his profession were so exhorhitant in their charges for coffins, he looked very mysterious, and agreed lo give her the necessary information in return for a glass of whisky. The stipu lation being carried out, Tam said, “ Weel, ma’am, is just because they are ne’er brought back to be mended.” Maori Logic — A paragraph in a news paper correspondent’s letter runs as fol lows :—Latest news received to-day (Jan. 31) from the Waimate Plains represents the natives as inclined to be more sulky than they were yesterday. One old chief is reported to have said to a European interlocutor, referring to the action taken by Government, “Before the pakehas came to Now Zealand the Maoris used to fight, kill, and afterwards eat their prisoners. When the missionaries arrived on the scene .and told them it was bad to oat their prisoners, they asked them to whom they were to look for food, and were told to look above to God. They did so, .and were friendly with each other afterwards. But after a while the pakelia fought witii the Maori. Did God tell them to do this I If so, why did the missionaries say it was bad to fight I ” Larrikin ism. —One day last week, as the 11 25 train from Wanganui was passing one of the crossings near S;. John’s plat form, the larrikins of that locality opened fire from an improvised battery, discharg ing a perfect shower of missiles at the carriage windows. Among the many and novel projectiles (says the “Rangitikei Advocate ”) were included kerosene, lobster, pickled salmon, raspberry, and currant-jam tins, and other articles of like description too numeiousto mention. As in warfare generally it is diflicrlt to please both sides, the fun in this case was enjoyed by the assailing party, the travellers for whose especial benefit the little war was got up, failing to see the point of the joke when impressed upon their notice at the dangerous end of the line of trajection. Small Birds. —The small English birds imported into Hawke’s Bay have increased so rapidly that they are beginning to cause a good deal of mischief, and no little alarm. A large and splendid crop of rape on Mr. Ormond’s Hcretaunga estate at tracted these birds in thousands, and fully a third of the seed was eaten by them be fore it could be gathered. It has been suggested (says the Napier “Telegraph ”) that a dozen of each sort of birds—spar rows, finches, linnets, etc.—should be shot and opened, with a view to ascertaining whether they feed more upon grain than upon insects. It is possible that cater pillars will do more harm to a field of grain in a few hours than the birds will do in a week, but it would be as well to dis cover how far the charges against the birds can be borne out by evidence. The Wantabadgery Bushranger;?.—■ Writing of the bushrangers who were exe cuted on Jan. 13, the Sydney correspondent of a southern paper says The decision as to their fate was communicated to Scott and Rogan on Christmas Eve. What a mockery the seasonable phrase, “ A Merry Christmas” must have seemed to those un happy creatures during the following day. Scott received the tidings with apparent callousness. He said he had anticipated that such would be their nature. Since then he has evidently been feeling the terrible narrowness of his time—the end coming momentarily nearer—and has been passing his hours in writing voluminously. He evi dently means to speak to the public after lie is dead. But, presumably, there will be an official censorship exorcised over these posthumous works. Rogan, on the other hand, appeared smitten with stupefaction when he learned that he was cast for death. This man’s organism would appear to have been of a low order, and his im agination deficient. He had not, appar ently, realised his position. Hanging, until the sentence became an absolute one, appeared to have only an abstract intan iii" for him. But when the sentence was confirmed, and the day (January 20th) definitely fixed, he broke down. A coward in combat, he showed no more moral than he had displayed physical courage.

Farming by Students. —The Agricul tural and Mechanical College of Kentucky has raised, by student labor, on the sixty five acres of arable ground which it culti vated, the following -.—Eighteen hundred

bushels of corn, 600 bushels of Irish potatoes, 70 bushels of sweet potatoes, 273 bushels of wheat, 200 bushels of turnips. 7 tons of Hungarian grass and white millet. Besides growing its own.tomato, cabbage and sweet potato plants, it sold plants amounting to uOdola. It has dis bursed a large amount for student labor. The pay-roll for this last month amounted to 150dols. Notwithstanding these ex penditures it has still a considerable balance in tie treasury, besides having on hand most of last year’s crop. Its ma triculation list lasc year was 50 per cent over that of the preceding year, and the matriculation list of the present, so far, exceeds that of last year by 30 per cent. These facts show that, under economical and. judicious management, the success of an agricultural college is certain.—“ Lex ington, Ky., Press.” Bitten by a Cat—A Horrible Scene. —One of the pictures of the late French salon represented the fable of the woman who was turned into a cat. She is de picted crawling on all fours, a woman in figure, but a cat in nature, with kindling oyo and stealthy movement, toward a mouse iu the corner of the room. In the Rue de Montrcuil, yesterday, the inhabit ants were witnesses of a scene in which a woman assumed for a short space of time the attributes of a cat. Bub the case was different and far more terrible than the one related in the fable. It was the most appalling of all human maladies that took possession of this poor woman. Last August she was bitten by a mad cat, and, although the wound was considered quite healed, suddenly yesterday after noon she was seized with hydrophobia. Slip, uttered a terrible scream, like that of a cat, and threw herself with frightful grimaces, as if to bite, upon a neighbor, who hastened to get away. The mad female pursued her, but fell in the middle of the street in paroxysms of agony, tear ing out her hair. The crowd looked on petrified with fear and horror. Finally, some policemen threw blankets over her, and succeeded in carrying her to the nearest hospital, but she was dead before arriving there.. —Oorr. “Loudon Daily Ne ws. ”

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. ( Reuter's Telegram.) Singapore, Jan. 27. The Brisbane, from Sydney, got aground in Arafura Sea, for 9u hours. After jetti soning a considerable quantity of her cargo, she got off, and proceeded to this poll, where, after being docked, an exami nation of her bottom will bo made, London, Feb. 2. According to latest nows from South America, a strict blockade is being main tained by the Chilians along the Peruvian coast. It is generally believed that the war will be concluded. St. Petersburg, Feb. 2. A conflict of a serious nature took place here to-day between Nihilists and the police. The rupture resulted in several Nihilists being arrested. {Age Special.) London, Feb. 1. Latest news from Afghanistan states that it is rumored that Ayoub has boon de feated by Ibrahim Khan, who opposed the Shere Ali dynasty. The Glxilzais are committing frightful outrages. The natives supposed to be friendly to the British are reported to have massacred 2000 families, destroying many villages. The Chilians threaten the Bolivian frontier towns. A war-ship lias been despatched from California to protect the British Resident at La Perez City from the Bolivians. London, Feb. 3. The Russian press is irritated at the Treaty of Berlin with England and Per sia, and threaten vengeance upon Persia. Over 1000 interesting Italian exhibits arc loading at Ycnico for the Melbourne Exhibition. (Argus Special.) London, Feb. 2. The Strathloven, from Sydney, has passed Gravesend. The meat is in ex cellent condition. AUSTRALIAN. ( Reuter's Tdeg > a ms.) Sydney, Feb. 3. Mr. Sutherland, for twenty years in Parliament, and formerly Minister for Public Works, has resigned his seat in the Assembly. A comet was visible last night through out the southern colonies of Australia. Strong confirmatory evidence has been received as to the truth of Hume’s story about Classon having survived for some time in Central Australia. He has now been dead some years, but it is believed that half-castes exist in Central Australia who speak German. Melbourne, Feb. 3. The Banks have reduced the rate of interest on deposits for three months to 3 per cent for six months, 4 par cent for 12 months to 5 per cent. The dissolution of Parliament takes place positively to-day. Brisbane, Feb. 3. The Queensland Government has re solved to call for tenders for direct steam service for mails and immigrants via Torres Straits. (Special.) Sydney, Fob. 3. The blacks describe a person supposed to be Classon, the explorer, as feeble and decrepid on account of ill-health. On learning the vicinity of some squatters he bogged to be taken thither. The blacks refusing, he stole out of the camp at night, was missed in the morning, tracked, and found dead half way. Melbourne, Feb. 3. Queensland sugars have advanced 10s. to 305., according to quality. A thousand bags of New Zealand oats have been sold at 2s. 71 d. A shipment of Patna rice received from New Zealand was sold in bond for LI2 15s. a ton.

PER OUR SPECIAL WIRE.

interproyincial; Geahamstown, Feb. 4, The ease of tlio child Fitzsymonds lias been settled by the Catholics agreeing to pay for the maintainence of the infant hi the Orphanage, rather than allow its adoption by a Protestant. The is great discontent about the rail way. Government have ordered a number of sleepers, intended for the Thames end of the line, to be sent to Wangarei. A man named Hunter married a girl recently against the wishes of her parents, and he will be charged with making a false declaration before the Registrar, at the R.M. Court on Friday. Auckland, Feb. 4. On board the British Empire, which arrived to-day, there had been during the voyage thirty-six cases of measles and eighty cases of scarlet fever, with three deaths from the latter —two children and one adult, a man named Vetch, One case broke out to-day. She brings 400 immi grants, paying their own passage, chiefly small farmers. The appearance of the comet is causing considerable excitcmentin scientific circles. The tail reaches from twenty-five degrees above the horizon to below the horizon. At sunset it is visible in the S. W., and is believed to bo approaching the sun,

The Albuvnia mine has declared a dividend of L!Oa share, absorbing L4OOO. The funeral of the hue Mr. J. S. Mac farlane took place to-day at St. Andrews Church. There were 50 carriages, and numbers on horseback. The church could not hold those present, the service being conducted by the Yen. Archdeacon Strong. Among the mourners were Hon. F. Whitaker, lion. Jno. Williamson, Dr. rollon, Mr. John Sheehan, and Mr. Swanson. There were many old colonists present. Sailed —Wellington, for South. Pas sengers for Lyttelton : Messrs. 13rett and Felton. Seymour George addressed the Rodney electors, and at the conclusion received a vote of thanks. Wellington, Feb. 4. The Supremo Court granted rule nisi for a new trial in the case of McFarlanc and another v. Rees. At the Calcutta sweeps, Foul Play brought the highest price. H.M. S. Cormorant leaves for the South on Tuesday. A number of penguins, brought hereby the Hincmoa from the Snares, have been lot loose in the harbor. Captain Fair child at first intended to place them on Stephen’s Island. The tail of the comet seen last night is not likely to be seen to-night as the sky is overcast. The torpedo corps intend having a series of experiments in firing permanent mines and torpedoes shortly. A well known engineer here has placed a steam launch at their disposal. Lara is reported very foot sore. Pinfire was scratched for all engagements at 12.30 to-day. In the Calcutta sweep, worth LSO, at the Empire last night, Foul Play fetched LlO ; Lara, L 7 ; Templeton, L 4 ; JB ippo campua, L 3; Soukar, Chancellor, and Laertes, L2 10s. The rest wore passed in. There is every prospect of a very success ful meeting. Libeller will not start for the Cup. The following will comprise the field and the jockeys :— Templeton, Watty; Foul Play, Derritt ; Chancellor, Rudings ; Hippocampus, Hudson : Lara, Nolan ; Hailstorm, Gardiner ; Norseman, Clifford; Quail, Carrington ; Magnolia, Herd ; Soukar (doubtful) ; Laertes, Tay lor ; Vampire, Hawkins ; Balmoral, Kaiser. The Supreme Court this morning refused to grant a now trial in the libel action Anderson v. Kirkbrido. The gates of the racecourse have been bought by Ames, proprietor of the Star Hotel. The price is stated to be L 420. Nelson, Feb. 4. It is stated that some 70 applications have already been received for the office of Secretary to the Nelson Education Board, the salary for which is L 350. Tiie appointment will probably be made to morrow. Arthur L. Sweet, late of Wellington, and formerly of Auckland, is charged with the forgery of a cheque for L 5 175., and lias been remanded till Friday. An elderly man, Mr. Brown, residing at Waknpuaka, whilst walking out, is sup posed to have received sunstroke and fell, breaking his thigh. Christchurch, Feb. 4. The following arc the nominations for the Great Autumn Aandicap Mata, Libeller, Hippo, Templeton, Titania, Hornby, Pinfire, Volunteer, Cambello, Tora, Lo Loup, Fishhook, Maritana, Adamant, Mirando, Webb’s 8.F., Knot tingly, Tantrums, Lara, Brahazon’s B. G., Albany, Gludgo, Luna, Natator, Long lands, Norseman, Laertes, Rangitira, Foul Play, On Dit, and Betrayer. Oamaru, Feb. 4. L2OO will be forwarded to the Mayor of Dublin for the Famine Relief Fund this week. Pastor Chiniquy will visit Oamaru on the 19th inst. A meeting of sympathisers will be held at the Young Men’s Christian Association rooms on Friday evening, at 7.30. Timaru, Feb, 4. A very large comet was observed in the western sky last evening, its tail extend ing over fully 30 degrees. Its head was below the horizon. The weather to- night is too thick to sec it. Dunedin, Feb. 4. The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce committee passed the following resolu tion ;—“ That the committee does not feel justified, with the information at present at its disposal, in opposing the abolition of the Invercargill express train, but is of opinion that the train substituted should, if possible, be accelerated so that it might reach Invercargill earlier in the day ; that a deputation wait on the Ministers on their return to town, with a view to dis cussing the proposed changes as far as they affect the commercial interests of Dunedin, Invercargill, and Christchurch.

THE LATEST,

LATEST FROM EUROPE. (Reuter's.) London, Fob. 2. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 1,900,000 quarters. Total stock of tallow in London on Ist. inst.', 10,000 casks. The steamer Strathloven, from Sydney and Melbourne, has arrived. Her cargo of meat is in good condition. Rome, Fob. 2. Italy will be well represented at the Melbourne International Exhibition. 900 Italian exhibits are going forward. St. Petersburg, Feb. 2. A number of Russian students have issued a proclamation to the effect that they will struggle even to death against Government. New York, Fob. 2. The American press generally condemns the views of Mr. Parnell as expressed in his recent speeches. Washington, Feb. 2 There will be a special sitting of Con gress shortly, lo enable Mr. Parnell to deliver a speech to the members on the subject of the Irish Land Question. London, Feb. 2. Arrived —ships Loch Lomond, from Melbourne; Moravian, from Sydney; and Colligrow, from Adelaide ; Pareora. from Wellington, Oct. 29th. ; Chaudiere, from Wellington, Oct. 14. AUSTRALIAN. {Reuter's). Sydney, Feb. 3. The Banks here have reduced the in terest on deposits for three, six, and twelve months, to 3,4, and 5 per cent, respectively.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

(by telegraph.) Noemanby, Feb. 3. The camp at Kaipipi was visited yester day by a large number of visitors from Hawera and Normanby. The Constabu lary, who finished forming the road to Inaha on Friday, and commenced work into the portion between Kaipipi and Kai pokanui on Saturday, were to-d<iy sent to Inaha to form the road between that stream and Waingoiigoro. To-morrow it will be necessary for the men to take their dinner with them, as the distance from camp is too great to allow of their returning. Mr. Oheal is engaged on the survey of the road. It was falsely rumored yesterday that 80 more Constabulary had landed at Opunake. It is reported that two Europeans visited the Native kainga yesterday and insulted one of their -vyoinen. The Europeans were recognised as civilians,

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Tuesday on the body of Mrs. J. E. Buchanan, who died Oil the Ist February, and for which a medi cal certificate had not been obtained, she not having been attended at her death by a legally qualified medical practitioner. Mr. F. Guinness, B.M. acted as Coroner, and the following jury wore sworn : —Messrs. D. Williamson (foreman), George Shaw, Wm. Allison, M. hie alas, S. Hardluy, G. M. .Robinson, Win. Thom; son, J. S. Savage, G. J. Martin, Joshua Tucker, and Gundry. After the customary viewing of the body, the inquest proceeded. Sergeant Pratt declined to watch the' case on behalf of the Grown, and Mr. Buchanan stated that Mr. Branson was retained to watch the case on his helalf. J. B. Buchanan, sworn, deponed—l am am an auctioneer. Deceased was my wife. She died on February Ist. She had been ailing since the middle of December. She had been attended by Dr. Boss up to the 19th January ; when ho had ceased to attend her she was very ill. My wife had ceased to take Dr. Boss’ medicines, as she thought the quinine, brandy, and general treatment being given her made her worse. I did not consent for some time to her wishes regarding the doctor’s leaving. After the 19 th January Mr. Saunders, her father, attended her. Ho was iu attend ance on her at intervals up to the day of her death ; and prescribed for her. He treated her by hydropathic methods—by warm baths, body bandages, and milk and vegetable diet. I was under the impres sion until Saturday night that she was getting bettex-. On Saturday evening deceased appeared to bo very distressed in her breathing. I gave her some gruel, and I remained with her all night and she seemed to get much better. She had gruel and milk every hour during the night. In the morning I went to Dr. Boss and told him how ill I thought she was, and he visited her. He administered a wine glassfull of champagne. Through out the day she was fed as often as she could take nourishment. About half-past 7, her sister was talking to her, while my mother and myself were sittixg on the bed. Her sister washed her face and hands with warm water, and she then appeared very comfortable. Her sister then left her and I thought deceased was sleeping. My mother was sitting by her side, and I stood on the verandah. I shortly afterwards stepped in and saw my mother kneeling praying. She said some thing about the “ dear departed,” and I went out and called my brother. Just then Dr. Boss came, and I walked into the room with him. Ho said “ She is dead.” I felt that while her father was treating her she improved in health. On the Saturday I considered her convales cent, and I left I'er with her mother. I did not use or depend on my own judg ment in this matter, or exercise axxy con trol over the treatment of deceased. I consented to her being treated by her father for two reasons, viz., the express desire of deceased, and her father’s under taking the responsibility of the case un solicited by mo. I tried every means be fox’e the hydropathic treatment was re sorted to. I brought a nurse fronx Christ church xvhom deceased refused to allow to attend her. Dr. Boss only informed me iix general terms as to the illness. De ceased did not complain of a pahx in her chest after Dx - . Boss ceased his atten dance. She complained of a paixx in the right arm the Friday before she died, and her father ordered a bath at a tempera ture of 102 degrees, and had a frame made, to be used after the bath, to support the pained arm in bed. This gave her great relief, and she did not again conxplain of this paixx. During the time she was under her father’s treatment she appeared easy the whole time, except twice, when she was relieved by the baths he ordered. Her mother, my mother, and myself nux-sed her the whole time. Her father last saw her on Friday, when he prescribed the bath. In his absence I would not have undertaken to administer any treatment. By the police—Mr. Saunders, deceased’s father, is not a legally qualified xxxedical practitioner. I was guided exxtirely by the wishes of deceased axxd her motlxcr and father. The deceased was herself a strong hydropathist, and that was the reason I so readily consented to her father's treat ment. Courtenay Nedwill, M.D., sworn, said —1 made a post-mortem examination of deceased. The lower part of the small intestine was much congested. The right cavity of the chest was full of matter-. The heart was healthy, and there wore fibrous clots in the cavity of the heart. I consider the immediate cause of death the failure of the heart’s action fx-om the great effusion on the chest. The body was fairly nourished. The congested state of that part of the lower bowel was a dis tinctive sign of typhoid or low fever. Seeing sufficient to account for death, I made no further examination. By the police—l should not have myself used such treatment as that described by the last witness in such a case, especially with regard to the complication of the chest. I could have ascertained with certainty the existence of such a compli cation. By Mr. Branson—l cannot think that a refusal to consent to hydropathic treat ment would have been injurious to the patient. By a juryman—l almost invariably give quinine, and sometimes brandy, in cases of typhoid fever. 1 could have accei'- tained the cause of death by seeing the patient shortly before her decease. Sarah Buchanan, mother-in-law of de ceased —Attended deceased when Dr. Ross left her. She was in a dangerous state. Afterwards Mr. Saunders treated her hydropathically, and she became much better. On the Saturday morning after her mother left her a change for the worse took place. We sent for Dr. Boss on the Sunday morning, and 1 suppose he was satisfied as to her complaint. He ordered nutriment, but tlxe patient had to be given it quite agaixxst her will. As far as possible the doctor’s instructions as to giving nutx-iment wore carried out. The patient died that night as the people were coming out of church. Alfred Saundex-s, sworn, said—Deceased was my daughter. I undertook the treat ment of my daughter since the 17th of January last. She was suffering froxxx typhoid fever. On Dec. 24th I saw de ceased at the mill. She then had a fevered skin, and weak, defective action of the heart. Dr. Ross was attendii]g fyer. I advised a warm bath gvgry day, and she did get three or four, and was well enough to go home on Saturday, December 27th. Did not see her again till 17th January, when . I heard she was suffering from typhoid fever. I xyeut at once to see her. I found her in great pain, restless, excited, and inclined to wander occasionally, with a rapid fever pulse, and principally conx plaining of suffering and extreme exhaus tion, caused by forciixg milk and other things down her throat, which brought on violent and exhausting purging, extremely painful and dangerous in the feeble con dition offher heart, and the diseased and painful state of her stomach. Her skin was dry, scaly, and gummy, and the temperature of her body a little over 105. Her breath was laborious, her chest heav ing rapidly, and she could only get hex breath in a certain position on her right side, not being able to lie for a moment on her left side or back. This made it impossible to pack her, as I should other wise have done with sheets. So I sent to the mill for a large bath and got a port able boiler. I then went to see Dr. Ross, but not finding him at home, I wrote a letter, telling him 1 should treat my daughter hydropathically. I got her into a warm bath, where she was at once gx-eatly relieved, aud on getting back into

bed she went to sleep and rested better u than for sonic time before. I. kept w A warm body bandages on the whole front . of her body, covered with flannel, and j, changed every two hours, which almost entirely removed the pain from that part of her body. I put a hot bran poultice on the back of her neck, axxd cold wet cloths on her head. She never waxxdered after this, but kept her faculties remark ably clear. She was sponged over twice a day, and had a warm bath as often os the skin got too gummy to be cleaned by sponging. She spoke in the texxintuous terms of allopathic trcatnflßit, and" its failure to relieve her in the slightest degree, except by the stupefac tion produced by morphia, which she know would leave her nerves in a frightful condition, and she begged me to help her by what she had so often seen so beneficial to her own children and to others. I told hex- how difficult this would be after the dx-ugs she had been taking, and with a hostile doctor and nxxrse, bxxt that I would save her from allopathic annoyances as much as I could, and get her nxothcr to come axxd nurse hex*. I instructed them xmt to give her any food unless she desired it, and not to give her any stimulant, drug, or axxy animal food, and only to give her vegetable diet of which I gave a list from which she should be sup plied, axxd which I knew-,wore the safest preventatives of the fever do bo feared in typhoid. I brought up artesian water from Christclmrch, and did not allow her to drink axxy more of tho water which I considered caused the disease. I had the carpet and floorcloth removed, and the floor scrubbed frequently, axxd sent for Condy’s disinfecting fluid to scatter over the room, and used a double set 'of blankets, so as to allow of one set being aix-ed while the other was being used. Also allowed as much ventilation as .pos sible, owing to the hot weather. On Tuesday the temperature of her body was 100 degx-ees and next day 99 degrees. On Thursday she was quite comfortable and cheex-ful ; on Friday morning I left her still very well, cautioning her nut to get up ox- make any exertion. I returned to her on Saturday, intending merely to look in on her and go away again. I found her so much worse that I stayed with her. Her pxxlse was so weak it was extremely difficult to feel it at all. Her breathing was vex-y diflxcxxlt. A warm bath immedi ately relieved her breath, bxxt her pxxlse kept very low and feeble until the tem perature of the atixxosphex-e changed on Monday with a change of wind, which iixxxxxediately relieved her and she re covered x-apidly. On Wednesday found my son William was ill. He resides 25 miles from Ashburton, and on learning that the sanxe fever was feared, I went off to him, but finding that it was nothing serious, I returned to Mrs. Buchanan. On Thursday evening I found that she was suffering froxxx severe pain, in the right shoulder. This was much'' relieved by contriving her bed so as to take the weight off that shoulder, as she had been con stantly lying on one side. She was other wise going on well axxd recovering some appetite, so that on Thursday and Friday I "thought her eating right enough. On Fx-iday evening I left for town, and on Saturday her mother left her, thinking her evidently improving as she felt herself to be. By the Coroner —Found the state - of her heart by feeling her pulse and sounding her heart. Deceased was kept in a hath at a 103 degrees for an hour. Knew there was somethuxg wrong with the lungs, but did not know what it was. Sergeant Pratt—Are you a properly qualified medical practitioner 1 ■ Witness—-No. But I hope I shall always be able to treat my own children in preference to employing anyone Dr. Ross deponed that he xvas a legally qxxalified medical practitioner, aud at tended deceased since about Monday in Christmas week. About that time I was called in by Mr. Buchanan. I found the decased, who was then at the mill, bilious, but the sickness was not of any conse quexxce, save that she had been very much weakened by prolonged nursing of her infant child. She recovered froxxx these syxxxptoms vex-y decidedly in about a week, and xvas taken to her own home. I saw her agaixx iu the course of a few days, and tit the exxd of three days I found she was suffering from typhoid fever. Tlxe case wexxt on iix the usual way without any serious complications. There had been slight congestion of the right lung, and a slight tendency to diarrhoea, but nothing to cause nxe axxy anxiety. Typhoid fever is not to be dreaded, except by its compli cations, but it sonxetixxxes kills by the height of the fever alone. At the end of the three -weeks during which I treated her for typhoid fever, 1 received a note from Mr. Alfred Saunders, stating that he wished to treat the case hydoropatlxir cally, and asking me not to cause the patient anv annoyance. Of course, as Mr. Saunders decided to treat the case hydropathically, I decided to withdrew from the case. In justice to myself I •asked Mr Saunders’ permission to see the patient with me before I left. He gave Ixis consexxt, and said he also wished that if any Dr. did see her, Dr. Trevor should see her. We saw her together (Dr, Trevor and I) shortly after noon on Monday, 19th January. Her condition was as it had usually been du ring the previous three weeks. Did xxot see her again until Sunday, February 1, about 12 o’clock. She xvas in an alnxost completely exhausted condition, so much so that 1 xvould not attempt to examine her save to feel her pxxlse and look at her tongue. I would not x-isk moving her body she xvas so much exhausted. I myself gave her a small xviueglassful of still chaxnpage, be sides ordering a mixture of egg, xxxilk, and brandy every hoar. I then left, saying I xvoxxkl see her in the evening. Wlxen I , called in the evening she had just died. I assisted Dr. Nedxvill at the post-mortem examination, and I have heard his evi dence, xvlxich I caix corroborate without reserve as x-egards the condition of the orgaxxs. The effusioxx in tlxe chest, in my opinion, xvas recent, and caused exhaus tion, bringing about a failui'e of the action of tlxe heart. In consequence of the danger of moving the patient, I can not give the immediate cause of death. I gave a certificate stating that I did not know xvhat xvas the cause of death. Warm baths—three or four—xvere administered with ixxy consent during Christmas week. 105 degx-ees is a high temperature, even for typhoid foxier. I have heard the evi dence of the hydropathic treatment. I have had no personal experience of hydro pathy. The Coroner—State your opinion of xvhat xvould be the x-esult to a person in ■ typhoid fever of being placed in a bath qf 102 degrees temperature, aud left there for an hour. Witness—The question of the use of baths in such cases is a moot one xvith medical men, and it is not mine to say but the bath would xxot be used by nxedical men as it has been used in this case. Typhoid fever has usually a fixed period of duration, and the patient was in the normal state that the fever xvould reach xvhen I left her. The complications I have referred to did not then exist. Mr. Saunders’ • treatment was entirely opposed to my own—mine being lax-ge qxxantities of fluid nourishmexxt, in cluding quinine and stimulants, while his xvas what we call low diet. Low diet xvould not be conducive to the recovery of the patiexxt. I don’t say it would be in jurious. Had I examined the chest of deceased on Suxxday morning last, I could have readily ascertained the presence of effusion in the chest. • By Mr. Branson—lt would have been harmful to the patient to have pex-sistently opposed her wishes, and she desired to be tx-eated by her father. In fact my ‘ treat* ( ment xvas persistently disregarded' by de- \ ceased. ' - x ; i .’m;" .oh 1 . .r 1: -i-J ! ; J;' -s, 'iliki-:' nikj

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1880.



LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT the ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. Farmers requiring hands can engage men through the .“Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING TIONS can engage through the “Herald ” Registry Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying I/-- ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and J p. in.’, by numbers given to the applicants, who will learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” in the registry column on payment of Six pence additional in advance, for each issue. Further Particulars on application at the “EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIG HEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 932 a .MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at Tinwald, TUESDAY, February 17 th, 1880. 0. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton. POST OFFICE NOTICES. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; For Christchurch and North at io. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., cl.iily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka, Timaru, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenslreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at .15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.