SHIPPING.

PORT OF . LYTTELTON. Sailed. Y ESTBRDAY. Borealis, brigantine, for Auckland. Planter, barque, for Newcastle. Penguin, s.s., for Port Chalmers. Arawata, s.s., for Wellington. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Albion, from Levuka. Sailed —Rotorua, fur South. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Tui, from Kaikonra and Lyt telton. Sailed —Go-Ahead, for East Coast. Dunedin, Yesterday. Arrived—Ringarooma.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Retail List- Butter, inferior to best, P lb, 6d to Bd. Eggs, P dozen, lock Cheese, prime quality, P lb, 6d to 81. Bacon, prime smoked, if lb, iod to is. Hams, in cloth, P lb, is id. Flour, in bags, j? icolb, 13s. Oatmeal, p 25H1, 4s. Lard, P lb, yd. Auctioneers’ Report. Messrs. H. Matson and Co. report on the live stock market, &'c., for the week ending Thursday, December 23rd, ISSO, as follows : Yesterday’s weekly market at the Addington saleyards was no exception to those held on previous years during the holidays, both as regards supplies of stock and the transaction of business. About 3,000 sheep and zoo head of cattle only were sent to hand, hut as the trade had previously “ stocked in,” heavily for Christmas requirements, there was very little wanted, and half the entry was turned out un sold. A large proportion of ihc market in fat sheep was made up of merinos, including some very prime quality ; but these were even more dull of sale than'crossbreds, and the auction was dragging from beginning to end. A few lines of very nice crossbreds changed owners at from 93 to ios 6d ; medium weight and quality, 7s 6d to 8s pel ; merino wethers, to 6d; do. ewes, to 6s. We quote no change in the value of mutton from prices as ruling for several weeks past, but attribute the dullness of trade to the fact of butchers being over-sup plied. Store sheep are still selling well, but buyers are acting more cautiously as to prices, and where sales arc - effected, owners, in the majority of cases, have to give way a little. The fat cattle sale was very much like a repeti tion of last week’s transactions. There was, however, but a small entry, and even this was more than sufficient ; and so far from there being any life or competition in the market, salesmen had great difficulty in plac ing the various lo f s at the low rates ruling. Prices were about the same as last week ; fair average weight steers realising 1-7 to:s and LB, light weight do and heifers L 5 15 s I® L - Very few-store cattle were yarded, but nearly ail were sold at prices which must have been comparatively satisfactoiy. Ihe totals yarded for the dav comprised 3,218 sheep, 221 head of cattle, and 32 pigs, of which our entry in cluded 1,266 sheep, 145 fat lambs, 92 head of cattle, and 22 pigs. In fat sheep, we sold cross-breds from 73 6d to 10s ; merino wethers, to 7s to 7s 6d ; store merino ewes, to 4s 6d to 4s gd. Fat cattle.—Steers, from L62s6d to L 7 12s 6cl ; cows and heifers, L 4 10s to L 7. Store cattle. —Two to three-year-old, mixed sexes, L 4 ios to L 5 12s 6d ; yearlings to two year-old, L2 Ss to L 3 ios ; dairy cows to L 7. Since yesterday’s sale, a consider able quantity of rain has fallen, which, if damaging in some cases to the grain crops, must be of more than corresponding advan tage to our pastures and recently sown turnip crops.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— Friday, December 31. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, &c., as under : —Money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m.; books and newspapers, at 9 p.m.; ordinary letters, at 10 p.m. A supplementary mail will be closed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January, 1, 1881. Late fee letters may be posted in the guard’s van attached to the 8.30 p.m. train on Saturday, January 1. On Saturday, Ist January Year’s Day), all branches of tho Post Office will be closed. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia. &c., nt 10 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Tcvnuka, at G a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.ra., 10 a,m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at G a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office—

From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a. m., 4.35 p. in., and 7- 50 p. ra. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Frem Teuiuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p. m.

W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, January 8. Mr. T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Freehold and Leasehold Property. Two o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, January, 3. Upper Ashburton Road District—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Road Board Office, at 12 noon. Tuesday, January 4. Horticultural Society, Meeting of Com mittee, at Jacobson and Eyton’s Office, at 8 p.m. Degree Temple, Fortnightly Meeting, Templar Hall, at 8 p. in. Longbeach Road Board —Annual Meeting of°Ratepayers, Road Board Office, at 12 noon. Wednesday, January o. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Thursday, January 6. Mount Somors Road Board Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, Schoolhouse, Mount Somers, at 12 noon. Wakaiiui Road District—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, at the office of the Agri cultural and Pastoral Association Show Grounds, at 12 noon. Monday, January 10. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1880. The Building By-laws.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]

The Borough Council intend to reconsider the building by-laws at present in force in the town, and for that matter some of the by-laws that do not refer to building. Fancy a man being guilty of an offence if he tethers his horse on his own section ! and there are one or two other little absurdities in the Borough’s “ statute-book.” It is not difficult to remedy the mistakes that have been made in the less im portant by-laws, and some of them even remedy themselves —as when the Bench pronounces that certain laws are ultra vires of the Council and refuse to con vict. But the building by-laws are not easily disposed of, and require some thought. As they now exist they require that all buildings henceforth to be erected in East street shall have a front wall of either stone, brick, or concrete. It would certainly be very pleasant indeed to know that the East street of the future would be made up of imposing edifices of stone or brick, and that the days of timber walls are numbered and must pass into history, but then it has to be remembered that the times are none of the brightest, that there is a marked difference be tween the cost of timber and concrete, stone, or brick, and that this difference of cost is a material hindrance to build ing. Besides, the town is young, and though in present circumstances the chief business places stand on the East street line, it is by no means certain that during the next five or ten years East street will be the business centre of the town. There is no saying in which direction trade may move, or hew soon or how late either one or other of the cross streets will contend with East street for the premier business position. It is, there fore, a question whether we are not premature in requiring the full pound of flesh in the building by-laws. This question has cropped up at the Borough Council through a request preferred by the Bank of New Zealand to be allowed to alter and add to their present building in East street, with a view to give more convenience and accommodation. The Bank, not feeling certain as to the permanency of East street as the business centre of the town, do not feel justified in erecting an expensive building at present, and would rather make the one they occupy temporarily suitable, purposing to build in a year or two such Bank premises as will be an ornament to the town. The bank building in East street is of wood, and the alterations and additions they wish to make will also be of wood if they can obtain the Borough’s sanction. The Council, as far as we can judge, appear to favor a relaxation of the laws, more with a purpose to encourage build ing in the township, and.thereby to find work for carpenters, than for any other reason, and their object seems to us commendable, especially as a majority of their number appear to favor the retention of party walls of brick as likely to suit all that the Council, when it framed the by-laws, meditated. At the meeting on Wednesday evening it came out in "the course of discussion that the By-law Committee had never suggested in their draft any thing about the front walls of the East street buildings, but had contended solely for dividing walls being of brick or stone, but by some means or other the present building by-laws had got to be sanctioned. We favor Mr. William son’s idea that strong party walls are quite sufficient for all our building purposes as yet,and that it is injudicious at this early period of the borough’s history to make any law so stringent as to interfere with the town’s progress. When Mr. Williamson con tended with Mr. Bullock for the Mayoralty, it will be remembered that he stated his belief that party walls of brick or stone ■would be quite sufficu nt protection for some years, and we feel sure that were a plebiscite of the rate payers taken to-morrow its result would

show a decided majority in favor of dr Williamson’s idea. A Commit >ee of the Council has been appointed to consider the question, and we antici pate that they will recommend a con siderable relaxation in the by-laws as they now exist.

The Templeton Shooting Case.— Tho man Kcrrison, who was shot on Christinas day, is not expected to recover. A Light Calendar. —There are only two cases for trial at the . Auclda ad Supreme Court session on Tuesday. Midnight Services. —A midnight ser vice is to be held to-night in St. Stephen s Church, commencing at eleven o’clock, and the usual Wesleyan Watch will also he held in the Cameron street Chapel. Calcutta Sweeps. —Quill and Co. in vite their friends to-night to discuss die chances of the competing horses in die Winslow Cup and Hurdles. On Wednes day night a similar discussion came off ve« - y successfully. Church Parade. The Ashbur on Rifles and the contingent of the O.Y C. will parade for church on Sunday mo n ing at the Post Office at half-past ton. From .tile Post Office they will march to St. Stephen’s Church. Dog Registrars. —The dog registrars for the several districts of the country with their addresses, are published in another column. In connection with this we may state that the Town Clei'K is registrar for Ashburton Borough. The Winslow Sports.- —“ Telephone ■s” tips on the Winslow races appear in another column. We have always belie ed that a certain strain of Highland blood was in “ Telephone’s ” veins, but we are afraid it is not very blue, or ho iv. dd speak in a different tone of the bagpipes. Christian Gathering. —Special 3'- v.v Year’s services are to be held tc-mor iw in the Cameron street Church, 11111011 . ill be occupied the whole day, from half past ten till four o’clock, and then again f• om seven till half past eight. At the Urst service interesting papers on spiritual sub jects will be read. A Trophy. —We observe that Mef.irs, T. R. Hodder and Co., of Ashburton ind Richmond (Nelson) have presented a si >er cup to tho Stoke Rifles for competition at the next prize firing. Messrs. Hoc . ter and Co. imported the Stoke Rifles’ uni forms for them, and procured the cup cor presentation at the same time. It is valued at about L2O. The Nelson Bankruptcy. —The case against Mrs. Wymond and her nephew for fraudulently removing 39 packages of goods belonging to her husbands’ bank rupt estate is proceeding at Nelson. Tho list of goods filled three sides of foolscap. Most of the articles produced so far appear to be remnants, and Mr. Pitt for the defence states he can account for all the charges. The accused were appre hended, it will be remembered, at LyUel ton.

A Love Sick Constable. —Jas. M‘Fal ridge, late of the Armed Constabulary, was charged at the Auckland Police Court yesterday with assaulting Miss Jones Hunter. Accused did not appear. The complainant said he professed an ardent affection for her, and contimud to press his suit greatly against her inchnati m. She had lost two situations through iiis annoyance, and was in danger of losing a third unless protected from his unwelcome intrusions. On her refusal of his suit he assaulted her. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Postal. —The first mail under the new Seafield, Kyle, and Wakanui postal ar rangements will leave Ashburton on Ti.os day. The despatch is in future to be tri weekly instead of twice weekly, and the mails will be carried by the runner from Ashburton as far as Seafic.d, where a runner from Kyle receives the Kyle bags in exchange for those he has carried to Seafield from Kyle. The new arrangement will bo a very .great boon to the Kyle people, who had previ ously to do all their correspondence w;th Ashburton via Rakaia, between winch township and the Kyle Post Office die mails were carried. The additional service will also be very acceptable to the Seafield and Wakanui residents. The Black List. —The calendar for the January sitting of the Christchurch Supreme Court is unusually heavy, and is as under :—Samuel Mayfield, forgery and uttering ; Charles Johnston, unlaw fully wounding ; Matthew M'Callum alias Smith, and James Robinson, alias Pearce, burglariously entering dwelling-house and stealing therefrom (two charges); Henry Davenport, Charles Vere Hodge, and Robert Shand, unlawfully wounding and murder ; Peter Hayland, horse stealing, Peter Hayland, escaping from legal custody. John Chute Neligan, alias John Walsh, making a false declara tion to a Justice of the Peace ; William Henry Hcwison, forgery ar.d uttering ; Alfred Forest, breaking and entering a shop with intent to commit a felony ; William Smith, larceny ; Robert Grant, larceny ; Pouhipi Waikena, horse stealing ; Charlotte Wright, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm ; Charlotte Scarborough, aiding and abet ting ; assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm ; Henry Francis Evans, un natural offence (four charges); Hermann Coop per, forgery and uttering ; George Norrie, indecent assault; William Flutey, forgery and uttering ; Sarah Brimmicomb, concealment of birth ; Wirema Wharepa, wilful murder ; Michael Murphy, perjury ; James Watt, perjury. Willowby School. —The annual treat and prize-giving took place at the above school on the 22nd inst. It consisted of games, cricket, swinging, gymnastics, and racing for prizes, &c., in the afternoon, then a very bountiful tea, supplied by the ladies of the district. After the children all parents and friends took their turn at the tables, gratis, but could by no means exhaust the supply. More play followed the tea, when about seven o’clock the children and friends collected in the taste fully decorated schoolroom to engage in the evening’s proceedings, which were made up of singing, recitations, sucking lollies (kindly given by Messrs Orr and Co.) ( hearing short speeches, taking prizes, and cheering the prize-takers. The speakers were Messrs. Chapman (chairman), W. H. Lowe, Martin, and B. Low, who did their best to encourage the children to make good use of their time and opportunities. Mr. Chapman, who has been chairman nearly five years, and who takes great interest in the school, specially impressed upon the parents the necessity of sending the chil dren to school regularly and punctually. The prizes wore awarded as follows : First (highest) class—Benjamin ,H. Low, 1; Moses Hawkins, 2. Second class— Annie Cairncross, 1; Jane Wilson, 2. Third class —Sarah Hayman and Emily Hayman, equal for 1 (prizes of equal value); Edward Bradbury, 2. Fourth class—Ernest Elliot, 1; Annie Morris, 2 Fifth class—Rhoda Osborn, 1; Elizabeth Heasky, 2. Best attendance—Margaret Mary Lowe and Thomas Hap in An. Sewing prizes—Emma Grice, 1; Sarah Hayman, 2; Sarah Heasley, 3 ; Annie Morris, 4 ; Elizabeth Heasley, 5. Special (given by Mr. H. M. Jones) —Annie Cairncross. Good conduct (given by Mr. J. Scott)- - Annie Cairncross, Nearly forty suitable books were given as presents to the smaller children of the school. After votes ol thanas the national anthem ter minated the proceedings. A Valuable Old Oaklet. — In coining 20,000,000 dollars in silver, and 22,000,00 .“ dollars in gold at the San Francisco Mini in. 1878, there was lost only 20 dollars. The carpet, which had been down five years, was taken up last spring, cut into pieces, and burned in pans. The dehv was put through the same process as tho mining dust, and there was got from the old carpet 2,500 dollars.

Dead Letters. —During the year 1879, 70,887 letters found their way into the dead-lefcf.cr office of New Zealand. Amongst the enclosures were money to the amount of L 4,937 17s. Od., including 131 money orders, 03 bank drafts, 83 cheques, L 92 in. bn nk-notes, L2l in gold, and 10s. Lod. in silver and copper. There were also gold watches, gold medals, and gold rings. Forty-four letters were with out addresses, and two hundred and fifty nine without stamps. A Brave Little One. —The London papers record an extraordinary exhibition of heroism, by a little girl only three and a half years old. She, and her sister were playing in her father’s garden, close to the river Monmouth, and the younger child was running after the cider, when, the latter fell headlong down some steps into the river, whore tho water was deeper than usual, owing to the recent storms. Seeing her sister carried clown the stream, the younger girl plunged in to the rescue, and seized her by the hat and hair. She held on, but the stream swept her- sister beneath a bridge, her hat and a quantity of hair being left in the little one’s hand. The younger child then managed to get ashore, and running home, gave the alarm. A number of persons hurried to the spot just in time to rescue the girl in shallow water below the bridge before the stream had carried her away.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[Ref Rente's Agency.) }■ • The Boers. - ’ London, Dec. 30. The latest imelligence from the Cape states that the Boers have captured the Court House at Potchefstroon, and are making extensive preparations for be sieging the fort. Burning of an Ironclad. Paris, Dec. 30. The ironclad P-ichelieu has been burnt at Toulon.

They are not Going. Berlin, Dec. 30.

The report current a few days ago that a German ironclad squadron was going to the Pacific is denied.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Renter's Agency.) Cricket.

Melbourne, Dec. 30.

The following team play the Austra lian elevenonSaturday:—Messrs. Camp bell, Cooper, Evans, Elliott,’ Mackay, Tendell, Garrett, D. Gregory, .'Horan, Massie, Midwinter. Emergency—A. Gregory. The Champion Stakes. Melbourne, To-day.

Mr. Mitchell’s Mulligan has been scratched for the Champion Stakes. The race is regarded as a certainty for the Cup winner, Grand Flaneur, and the betting is 3 to 2 on him. The Attorney-Generalship. Brisbane, To-day.

It is announced that Mr. Pope Cooper will be appointed Attorney- General of Queensland, vice Mr. Boer, deceased.

The Outward San Francisco Mail. Sydney, To-day.

The P.M. s.s. City of Sydney, with the outward San Francisco mail, sailed for Auckland yesterday.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) “ The Potato is Cooked.” Auckland, To-day.

A high authority on the Maori language, and author of a Maori Grammar, gives the following translation of Te Whiti’s reply to the Governor. “It is difficult to in terpret Maori proverbial sentences at all times, particularly when they come at second hand. “ Tawa ” may be the word used by Te Whili, but I am not sure that a Maori would apply “ Maori ”to it. I am inclined to think the word should be “ Taeawa,” or “ Taewa,” which in Wai kato and among the natives of Taranaki means “potato.” The principle is the same in both readings—viz. that “ The time for action is come.” The precise meaning of this is not clear, but the same reliable authority explains the sentence as meaning ‘ ‘ The potato is cooked”— i. e., the “ potato food is prepared for eating,” and there is nothing now to be done but for the Governor and Te Whiti to partake of it. ' • The Weather. Heavy showers of rain, accompanied by a severe hailstorm, fell this morning. Lost at Sea. Invercargill, To-day. The whaling barque Sapphire has arrived from Stewart’s Island. When off the Solanders one of the crew lost hold while aloft and fell into the sea, striking his head on a rail in his descent. He rose once, but sank before assistance could be offered.

WINSLOW ANNUAL SPORTS.

Tips By Telephone. Probably the most enjoyable day of the year, so far as sports, etc., are concerned, is the annual gathering at Winslow. This meeting always attracts a large number of pleasure seekers, and they, one and all, invariably return home satisfied with their days’ outing. This seems unaccountable to some folks who are in the habit Of attending the race meetings and Caledonian sports, since the amount of prizes at Winslow is far smaller than at the other events. I think, however, I can explain the reason, and it is a very easily under stood one. The Racing Club and the Caledonian Society confine themselves too much to the “ classic ” description of sports. I use the word “classic” for want of a better one, but I mean that the nature of the events to be competed for. require special education to understand them. Children, for whose benefit all these holidays are mainly made, do not, as a rule, have the knowledge as to whether a horse is handicapped 201bs too heavy or gets in a stone too light, and as a horse race only occupies a few minutes in running, the pleasure must be of a very ephemeral character to any but 1 hose who have gone in for a gamble. And I am quite willing to acknowledge, on my own part, that the majority of the sports at the late Caledonian gathering didn’t wind me up to enthusiastic raptures to any great extent. The conbination of groan ing and caterwauling that is produced by a bagpipe is not, to my educated ear, music; it may sooth the savage breast cf some folksy but I would sooner hear Henry Ketten on the pianoforte any time, than get within a mile of Piper Elder. is rather a, digression however, from giving tips, but" there is a moral in it which I wish the Committees of all sports would reflect upon, and that is to provide more sports for the youngsters. Holidays are enjoyed more by them than by adults, and I have seen more laughter and interest in a scamper after a pig with a well greased tail than at the whole of ffie sports on Boxing Bay. But to got to business. The programme at the Winslow sports opens with a Hukdlb

Race, and as the entries are not made till to-morrow, I can’t tell you ivho thestarters will be, but will endeavor to guess them as nearly as possible. Mr. R. Pullar s Lagmohr is to have a cut in in this event. He has competed in four or five events in Ashburton, and so far as I can recollect has never been a winner. His breeding is good enough, but hp lias been out of sorts, and although Jimmy Woods will pilot him over the hurdles, I don’t expect to see him run into a place. Mr. Cor bett’s Maid of the Mill is a great deal more ,to my fancy ■ the mare’ and her owner showed themselves to have-such a thorough understanding of each other’s capabilities at the leaping match at the Agricultural Show, that I don’t expect to see her baulk at any of the timber, and as she has a very fair turn of speed, proved at many races she has won on the flat, I shall plump for her for first place. The Raven is the popular horse of the district, and will have a good deal to say in the finish. He ran a very close second to Tam o’ Shanter in this event last year. The latter-named horse has, I understand, got a “leg” and is not likely to start. Old Lonehand is to have another try. He ran a good third last year, and .as he is in the pink of condition, T hope his owner will succeed in catching the judge’s eye first, for his luck was alto gether put at tho last race meeting. I don’t know of any more probable starters, but there are rumors of a dark ore near Winslow, and he is kept very dark indeed Tommy Cotton intends trying Mungo Park again, and as his only public peformance as yet was a spill in the Hurdle Race at the Spring meeting, and his pace is just good enough to show Tammy’s abilities as a steeplechase jock, I shall leave hiin out of my record of placed horses. If the race was to he run over a decent cross country course, and at a three or four mile dis tance, Mungo Park would give a good account of himself, but a mile and a quarter is not the distance to judge a jumper’s merits on. For that reason I consider the field too good for him at tho distance to be run.

I place the horses in the following order ; Maid of the Mill 1 Lone Hand ... ... ... 2 Raven 3 The Winslow Cop, l! miles, ought to be a very well contest ed event, as there are six very creditable animals entered for it. First on the card is Mr. Quill's mare, Lady Florence. Her performance in the Hack Race showed she had a good turn of speed for this distance, and at the time she won it she was entirely out of condition, having a very hide-bound look about her. At Amberley she gave Randwick all he could do to beat her by a length. I should not be disappointed if she got her nose in first past the post.. Johnny Smith’s Minnie figures next, and from the easy way she won the Ladies’ Purse at the Spring Meeting,! don’t think the popular idea that this race is a certainty for her is much astray. The owner and rider is far and away, the best horseman of his weight in the district. Mr. Pullar’s _ Lag mhor, if he starts in the hurdles, will not be very fit for this event, but in any case I consider his chance of running into a place a very poor one. Dagrid is described as a black’ gelding, I. should call him a washy chestnut, he has plenty of pace for a half mile, and an inclination for bolting. I expect to see him lead for about three quarters of a mile, and then either cave in or make for home. M'Rae’s Darkie is a good deal better horse than he looks, and if Teddy Oughten can keep him on the course, he won’t be last in the struggle. Old Steamer is so well known at the Win slow and other local events that I needn’t say anything about him, so I will now put the horses in their places as follows : Minnie ... 1 Lady Florence ... ... ... 2 Darkie ... 8 All the other events being post entries, I cannot undertake to express an opinion about them.

Curtain Lectures.

(Notes and Queries.) I have no doubt that Douglas Jerrold was well acquainted with a facetious book written m the early part of last century by the celebrated Edward, “commonly called Ned Ward,” bear ing the title, “ Nuptial Dialogues and Debates, or a Useful Prospect of the Felicities and Discomforts of a Marryed Life, Incident to all Degrees, from the Throne to the Cottage. London, 1724.” 2 vols. Bvo. For the title, however, of his witty “ lectures ” he was probably indebted to one of Stock dale’s humorous publications: “Eloisa en Dishabile : a satirical Poem, by the late Prof. Porson. To which are added the Modern Fine Gentleman, Modern Fine Lady, Curtain Lectures, and the Squire and the Parson. London, - 1819,” Bvo. pp. 157. This volume is illustrated with eight colored etchings, by “ Williams.” The “ Curtain Lectures,” extending to some hundred pages, and written in Hudibrastic verse, are four in number, viz. : “ Lecture I. Inscribed to Sir W. C . Bet\yeen a drunken surly Husband and his in flexible termagent Wife.” “ Lecture 11. Inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. C s. Between an old amorous Knight and a young Yorkshire girl,'by whom he was deceived into a Marriage soon after her arrival in town.” “ Lecture 111. Inscrbed to Obadiah and Rachel P . Between Obadiah the Quaker and his wife Rachel, con cerning a primitive purity and the sin ful abominations of the present age.” Lecture IV. Inscribed to the Earl of . Between a gay Lady of the Town and, her Husband, who subsisted on the fruits of her gallantry.” But even if Jerrold has borrowed the title ofthis book he has;, borrowed nothing more, —the manner and matter of his own are entirely original. Stockdale’s volume (one of a series—“ The Greeks, Pigeons, Fashion, Modem Belles, To night, The Ton, Modern Beaux, Dress and Address,” etc.) is not deficient in humor, but is grossly indecorous. It commands a price disproportionate to its literary merits. I have before me original water-colored drawing by John Leech of one of the celebrated “Cur tain Lectures.” Mr. and Mrs. Caudle are snug in bed ; the gentleman would fain repose, but the lady exclaims, “ No, Mr. Caudle, .! shall not go to sleep, like a good soul !” In the centre, at the foot, are the bed-steps, surmounted by an extinguished candle. It is a clever, characteristic perfomance, and has been fac-similed, but the reproduction I do not to possess.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE DUEL. In the year 1807, when the peace of Tilsit put a stop to the conquest of Napoleon in Germany, the King of Prussia, exhausted by his astonishing efforts to maintain the war against France, reduced his army to the peace establishment. Consequently, many officers who were stationed at Hamburg received a furlough, or were dismissed from the service for a short time, and a life of military danger and activity gave place to habits of idleness and dissipa-

tion. ( In the early part of the summer, several of these officers, having dined together, and sacrificed rather freely at the shrine of the jolly god, adjourned towards evening to the Exchange Cof fee House, the most noted hotel in the city. They entered singing and shout ing in the most tumultuous manner, setting at defiance the rules of propriety and decorum. The youngest of the joyous band, the Baron de V , who bore the commission of a lieutenant in the army, was about twenty-five years of age, wealthy, handsome, and, elegantly formed. But his mind did

not correspond with his person ; he was vain, insolent, self-conceited, and presuming. When they entered the room they observed an individual of small stature, in a dark suit, seated . alone at a table. Fie held in his left hand the journal of the day, while his right hand supported a pipe. He paid little attention to the entrance of this formidable host of blackguards, scarcely deigning to raise his eyes from the paper he was perusing. The young baron, doubtlessly offended at an appearance of indifference, which he thought bordered on contempt, ap proached the man in black and said, with a smile of bitter irony, “ Ah, my friend, good evening. From your appearance I should take you to be a schoolmaster, or perhaps a tailor. Am I right ? Where is your goose ? ” The citizen raised his eyes and fixed them for a moment on the countenance of his interrogator, and then resumed the perusal of the journal. “God forgive my sins,” continued the baron, “ he will not answer me. Come, my little fellow, we must be more sociable. Ah, I perceive the reason of your silence ; the pipe incom modes you. As I must hear the sound of your voice, allow me to relieve you.” So saying he snatched the pipe from the hands of the stranger, and dashed it to pieces on the floor, a piece of wit which his companions applauded with shouts of laughter. Without laying down the journal, the insulted individual turned towards the entrance of the inner room, and coolly said : “ Waiter, another pipe.” “ Well done,” replied the young im pertinent, “ I have gained something, however; I made him open his mouth.” The pipe was brought, filled and lighted, and the citizen continued to peruse the journal as if nothing had happened. “ My little man,” said the baron, “ where do you belong ? In what village do you exercise your talents ? What, no answer 1 Flave you resolved not to enter into conversation with me ?” Here the insulted person again raised his head and looked the young officer in the face, at the same time puffing out an immense volume of smoke ; he then deliberately resumed his former occupation. “ Perhaps I was mistaken in your character,” interrupted the baron; “ you may be the quid nunc of a village, and perhaps endeavoring to commit to memory the news which that paper contains, to impart it correctly to your friends and neighbors. But you smoke like a Swiss. That pipe causes you much inconvenience.” It was a second time broken. Without evincing by a gesture, or any visible sign of countenance, the least appearance of anger, the man in black coolly repeated the first demand, “ Waiter, another pipe.” “ What a. melodious voice !” resumed the baron. “ Such patience must be the attribute of an angel or a devil. I would give a thousand florins to see you in a passion ; it would be delicious sport.” An old major, whose embroidered coat was decorated with military orders, and on whose German physiognomy was depicted frankness, true courage, and loyalty, who entered the coffee house with the hair-brained youths, now addressed the baron in a low voice, but which, notwithstanding, could be heard in all parts of the room : “ My young friend, you are insulting a stranger without provocation; you are foolishly guilty of a great imperti nence, and your conduct, with that of your applauding comrades, begins to disgust me. I beg you will pursue this foolish joke no longer.” The baron, with his companions, accordingly adjourned to a neighboring room, and commenced playing cards. To judge from their numerous jokes, followed by loud peals of laughter, it would seem that the young officer’s folly and imprudence was already forgotten. An hour passed away ; all was mirth and jollity, the baron had gained a considerable sum, and his spirits were proportionately buoyant, when the little man in black entered the room, and slowly approached his chair, tapped him gently on the shoulder, and requested to speak to him in another apartment. The baron re garded him with a look of disdain over his shoulder, utteredanill-timedjest, and laughed in his face. “ Sir,” said the man in black, in a decided and manly tone, “you labor under a trifling mistake, which I must take the liberty to correct. I am neither a tailor nor a schoolmaster. I have the honor to be a post-captain in the Eng lish navy, very much at your service. You have insulted me, and I demand satisfaction, 10-morrow morning, at ,7. o’clock, I shall await you here. Bring pistols with you.” The astonished baron, who during this address had risen from' his chair, changed countenance more than once, and then answered only by a low bow of acquiescence; he dared not trust himself to speak, lest his tongue should betray his terror.. The captain politely saluted the rest of the company and left the house. With him departed all the gaiety of the lieutenant. Fie became thoughtful

and taciturn ; his mind wandered from the game, and he soon lost more than he had gained. He was unnerved with terror, while reflecting on the conse quences ot his foil}'. What an advan tage must an adversary possess over him who could bear with so much calmness a series of degrading insults, and who could propose a duel with such imperturbable sang froid ! Such an antagonist must be singularly en dowed with courage and skill. Such were the ideas that continually passed through his mind. When the company separated they all agreed to meet at the same place at the appointed hour. But it is not supposed that all slept equally well during the night. When they assembled next morning at the coffee house they found the Englishman be fore them at the rendezvous ; but he was now dressed in a splendid suit of the naval uniform of his nation. He was

attended by a valet, who carried his case under his arm. He requested the officers to accept of some refreshments, and they entered into conversation, when the Englishman gave indications of possessing a culti vated mind and good breeding. About 8 o’clock he rose from his chair and begged the Prussian officer to select the spot* where the quarrel must be decided, adding that he was a stranger in the city and that all places were alike to him. The baron named the open pasture lying between Ham ■ burg and Altoona. ■ When they arrived on the ground the Englishman asked the Prussian what distance he would prefer ; he answered “ Fifteen paces.” “ The distance is too great,” resumed the Englishman, “ you will miss me. Call it ten, if you please.” And his proposition was ac cepted. The major now made the observa tion that the captain had no seconds. “That is of little consequence,” said the Englishman. “If I fall my valet has ray orders.” The major represented that such a proceeeding was contrary to the usage in affairs of this kind, and that if such a formality was neglected the duel could not take place, but he

politely offered to assist in that capa city. When the ground was marked out and each of the principals had taken his station, the captain asked his an tagonist significantly if he had good pistols a for,’ : said he, “ I have a pair which I often use, and which never miss their man. I will give you a proof of their excellence. He then called his servant and or dered him to throw something in the air. The man took a handkerchief from his pocket. “ This is too large,” said the cap tain ; find something else.” He took from his pocket a dried prune. “ r l hat will ao,” exclaimed his master. The fruit was thrown into the air, the pistol was fired, and the prune was bat tered into pieces. At this extraordinary proof of address, the spectators were , struck with astonishment. As to the poor lieutenant, he was more dead than alive.

The captain then resumed_ his station, and requested his antagonist to fire; but the major interposed, stating that it was contrary to the custom of their country; that the offended party had an undoubted right to make the first essay, and after his fire was re turned, the rest should be decided by chance. “My friend,” replied the captain, “if I should suffer myself to be in fluenced by your opinion, this young gentleman would never have an oppor tunity to test the quality of his pistols. I must have my own way in this par ticular, and after I have settled the affair with this gentleman, each of his companions who amused themselves last evening at my expense, and who, instead of restraining the impertinence of their friend, laughed at his ridiculous follies, must one after another front the muzzle of my pistol. Now, sir, I am read}'. Take good aim, for if you miss me you are a dead man.” The lieutenant presented his weapon, drew the trigger, and the ball passed through the Englishman’s hat. “ Now, sir, it is my turn,” said the captain. “ I was last night a butt for your railleries and your sarcasms. Without provocation you insulted me, covered me with humiliation. I- was a schoolmaster, a tailor, a village babbler. What am I now? A man. And what are you ? A miserable poltroon, trembling with fear. 1 hat death, which in a few minutes you will receive from my hand, already surrounds you with shadows. The grim tyrant’s icy hand is already extended over you. Your lips rre livid, your eyes are glazed, and your visage is as pale as the winding sheet which in a few hours will envelop your body. Your feeble limbs can hardly support you ; insolence and cowardice go hand in hand together. But before my bullet pierces your heart, tell me have you any arrangements to make ? Have you a last adieu to send a father, a mother, or sister, or any other person who is dearer to you ? I have here the materials for writing; and willingly grant you time to make any arrange ments which you may think necessary ” ■ The young man muttered something, of which a humble “ I thank you,” was all that was intelligible. “ In that case,” replied the English man, “ since reconciliation between us is absolutely impossible and it is necessary that your blood should wash out the affronts which I have received, 1 beg you to implore, by a fervent but brief prayer, the mercy of the Eternal Power.”

Then, taking off his hat, he looked round upon the mute, terrified specta tors of this closing scene, who, by spontaneous impulse, uncovered them selves m like manner. For a minute or two there reigned amongst the group a religious and solemn silence, which was only interrupted by the hard breathings of the suffering lieutenant. At length, seizing his pistol, and pointing it towards the lieutenant, he kept him for a minute in a state of the most horrible suspense; then, suddenly raising the weapon, he turned towards the valet,who stood near him, and handed him the pistol. “ Take it,” said he; “this offiicer is not worthy the honor of dying by the hand of an Englishman.” The next day the Baron de V quitted that part of the country, and never again resumed his station in the regiment.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1880.



BO you Want the News of the Day? Read the Ashburton Guardian, Price One Penny,



Special Advertisements. m HE BEST VALUE I FOR E.EADY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURE O BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch : EAST STRE ET . WM SPARROW, 751* Manager. 0. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* QUILL’S AUCTION ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings. CALCUTTA SWEEPS TO-NIGHT on Winslow Con and Hurdle Race. T. QUILL & CO. OTI C E . Subscribers and other persons owing Accounts to the Ashburton Guardian Office, are requested to take notice that I, Max Friei lanuek, have PURCHASED the 800K 8 ! DEBTS owing to the Pro prietors of ihe Ashburton Guardian News paper and Printing Office, and that I require all persons from whom the said Debts are due to PAY the same forthwith to my Attorney, Mr. Hugo Frxebbander, of Ashburton, Merchant, at the Guardian Office, Saunders’- Buildings, whose receipt will be a sufficient discharge for the same. Dated this eighteenth day of December, 1880.



Holloway s Pills.—The blood being the ery essence of health and life it is most, essen tial that it should be thoroughly purified before the depressing influcncesof winter display them selves. These Pills will accomplish this puri-, fication in a safe and satisfactory 'manner, and out the circulation in that desirable condition, which alone can rightly form flesh, bone, mus :la, nerve, and shin. Capricious appetites, weak digestions, torpid livers, and irregular bowels are corrected by this potent medicine, which may be truly said to induce “a sane mind in a sound body.” Holloway’s Pills, possess the remarkable property of cleansing without weakening. While purifying they are strengthening and adding to those enjoyments of life which health and vigor can alone bestow.— Advt.



How to turn people’s heads-—come to a concert late in a pair of squeaking boots.



Wanted. WANTED —A SITUATION by' a good Ploughman ; three years’ experience of reaper and binder, and can sow with both bands. Apply, Office of this Paper. 847 WANTED, a GENERAL, SERVANT. Apply to Mrs. Davison, Town Hall, or to Mr. G. Cole, Wakanui. 849 WANTED —A respectable GIRL, as General Servant. Apply, at the Office of this Paper. . 822 WANTS D—Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery of all sorts to REP APR. Lowest Charges. PARKER-, Watch maker. Private House, directly opposite the Public School. 837 WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. - 606 WANTED KNOWN —Just arrived from England—Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. Gd. each. Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&a A visit solicited. L. F. Andeewes, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527 WANTED KNOWN —That a Church of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, corner of . Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. 700



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE bogs to inform the . public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Baggies and saddle horses on hii'e. Lowest prices and best attention. 908c—236a Meetings. 10.G.T.— Unity DEGREE TEMPLE, . SECOND DEGREE MEETING on TUESDAY EVENING, at 8 o’clock, at the Templar Hall. Thomas Williams, D.T. 834 SOMERSET LODGE. THE Regular Monthly Meeting of this Lodge will be held THIS EVENING a 7'30., in the Hall, Tanored Street. Visiting Brethren invited. By order 836 W.M. JJORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. A MEETING of the COMMITTEE - of the above is hereby convened at Messrs. Jacobsen and Eyton’s office, on TUES DAY EVE .SING, January 4th, at 8 p.m Business : To make arrangements for the forth coming Flower Show. A full meeting requested. S. E. POYNTZ, 840 Hon. Sec. ROAD DISTRICT. The ANNUAL MEETING of Rate payers will be held at ihe office of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association (show grounds) on THURSDAY, the 6th day of January, 1881, at 12 noon, to receive financial statement, etc., and to ELECT THREE MEMBERS in the room of Messrs. H. T. Winter, Hugo Friedlander, and Joseph Hunt, who retire by ballot, but are eligible for re election. A Poli, if demanded, will be taken on the same day, closing at 6 p.m. CHAS. 0. FOOKS, Returning Officer. Ashburton, Dec.- 21st, 1880. 787 Impounding Notice. IMPOUNDED at South Rakaia, Dec. 20, from North Rakaia, One Bay MARE, HACK,branded on near shoulder ; a wart on her near side flank. If not released by Jan. 5, 1881, it will be.sold. . GEO. SHELLOCK, 833 Poundkeeper. Public Notices. Ashburton borough council. DOGS REGISTRATION ACT, 1880. The Ashburton Borough Council hereby notifies that it has appointed Mr. Charles Braddell as Registrar of Dogs for the Borough for the year 1881, and the Council Office,"Burnett street, as the Registration Office, where collars can be procured. (Signed), HUGO FRIEDLANDER, Mayor. Borough Council Office, 31st Dec., 1880. 848 A SHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. THE DOG REGISTRATION ACT, 1880. Under the provisions of the above Act, the Ashburton County Council hereby notify that the following persons have been appointed by it as Dog Registrars for 1881 for the Districts set forth opposite their names. Collars can be obtained at the Registra tion Offices hereafter mentioned. Appointments to date from Ist January, 1881 : By order, , P. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, Dec. 28th, 1880. 843