SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Ocean Bird, ketch, from Picton. Advance, schooner, from Thames. Borealis, schooner, from Wellington. To-day. Te Anau, s.s., from Wellington. Penguin, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. Sunday. Lois, barque, for Newcastle. Yesterday. Bells, barque, for Cape Town. Onward, schooner, for Waitara. To-day. Te A.nau, s.s., for Melbourne, via Port Chalmers and the Bluff. Penguin, s.s., for Manakau, via way ports. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Southern Cross, s.s., from Mah’ia ; Belle Brandon, schooner, from the Islands ; Fairlic, schooner, from New castle. ' Sailed —Ingeburg, barque, for Samoa ; Saxon, schooner, for Lyttelton. W ellinoton , Y estci'clay. Arrived —-Sarah Pile, brigantine, from Kaipara ; Robin Hood, brig, from New castle ; Wanaka, from the South. Sailed —Wanaka, for Picton and Nelson; Tui, for Kaikoura and Lyttelton. .Tijiaru, Yesterday. Arrived—Maggie Paterson, from the West Coast ; -Richard and Mary, from Dunedin. . , Port. Chalmers, To-day. Arrived— Ringarooma, s.s., from Mel bourne, via the Bluff. London, Dec. 13. Arrived—Samarkand and Silver Eagle, from Lyttelton.

COMMERCIAL.

The English Markets. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following telegram, dated London, December nth, 1880 : Wool.—The sales closed at the level of the last sales on the nth instant. Scoured market unchanged. Superior scoured has advanced )4d to id per lb. Greasy market unchanged. Clothing washed, combing washed, and fine crossbred, market firmer. Coarse crossbred has declined id to per lb. Merino lambs, market firmer. A good many second-hand parcels have been offered during the past sales. The sales comprise about 114,000 bales ; 16,006 bales have been held ovei for future disposal, chiefly Gape of Good Hope ; 50,000 bales have been taken for export. Tallow.—Mutton, 355,: and beef, 333 per cwt. Yesterday’s public sales of Australasian have comprised 3,000 casks. Stocks of all sorts are 14,000 casks.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Te Anau. Wednesday, December 15. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only), Continent of Europe, Point de Gallo, India, the East, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Suez, the Mediterranean Ports, Australian Colonies, &c.: —Ordinary letters at 7 a.m. ; books and newspapers at 6 a. in. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 14th ; money orders at 4 p.m. on Tues day, December 14. Late fee letters may be posted in the travelling Post Office van attached to the express train on Wednes day, 15th December. Friday, December 31. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, &0., 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 >n Saturday, January 1. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows: —

For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. ra. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Kakaia, &c., at 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 Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Titnaru and South, at 6 a.m., 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, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.ra., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a. m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Frein Temuka 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 Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

' AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, December 21. J, T. Ford and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Sheep and Cattle. Tuesday, January 4. Quill and Co., Monthly Sale, Mount Somers. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. To-Night, Tuesday, December 14. Meeting of Milkmen, at Mr. Harrison’s Auction Boom, at 7 p.m. Amateur Dramatic Ciub, Town Hall, at 8 sharp. .... To-morrow, ,5 Wednesday, December 15. Fire Brigade meet for practice, 6 p. m. “ Chispa’s” Procession, 6.15 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave, Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m,, 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m., ■ Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.3 G a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains ..Arrive' at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 pi m., and 7.50 p; m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [j, sued at 5 p. hi ]

The Ashburton Guardian. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1880.

Postal. —Supplementary mails for the United Kingdom, &c., via Brindisi, will close to-morrow (Wednesday) morning at 10 o’clock, for despatch per express train to connect with the Te Anau at the Bluff. Late fee letters may be posted in the mail van up to the time of its departure.

“There’s Nothing Like Leather.” —Having in view the scarcity of money, and the absolute necessity of the travel ling public especially having substantial understandings, Ore proprietor of Sydney House, Christchurch, announces opening up a large assortment of boots and shoes at prices to meet the times.

Lazy Councillors. Since signs began to be given that the Borough Council would soon be in funds, signs have also appeared that Councillors mean to take things easy, and last night Mr. St. Hill pointed out that some members of the Council only put in an appearance once in a month—just often enough to save their seats from being confiscated. As a consequence the work was left in the hands of the two or three gentlemen who attended regularly. Before the last night’s meeting commenced the absence of certain councillors was noted, and it was chaffingly said that, as they had been pre sent on such and such an occasion they need scarcely be expected to roll up that night. Irregularity of attendance is the curse of public business, and to those who feel annoyed at this paragraph, let us say in the words of the poet —‘ ‘ Let the galled jade wince, our withers arc un wrung.”

Who Stole the Cl ack ? —Mr. S. Hardley had a contract with the Borough Council to sink a well on the Fire Brigade station. He finished his job, but it was found by the Fireman that the well would throw no water. The Borough Council wrote to Mr. Hardley on the subject, who replied that the well had been passed by Mr. George Parkin, and that when he (Mr. Hardley) was done with it there was an excellent flow. Mr. Hardley's letter was read last night to the Councillors, when Mr. Parkin denied in toto ever having passed the well, but stated that it had never been in working order. The letter went on to say that some evil-dis posed person had maltreated the pump, and had walked off the “clack.” The Mayor severely animadverted on the fact that every time Mr. Hardley had a con tract for Brigade work there was trouble. The question naturally arises whether is Mr. Hardley a martyr to some unseen foe, or a muddler of the work he undertakes ! We fancy this matter ought to be inquired into, as an impression is left on the public mind that Mr. Hardley is either cruelly persecuted by some enemy working in the dark, or he does not fulfil his contracts.

Fire Brigade Subscriftions. —At the meeting of the Council last night, while Fire Brigade matters were under discus sion, the leader of the reform party in the Council, desired to know what subscrip tions had been given to the Fire Brigade by the Ashburton merchants. The Cap tain of the Brigade was present, and showed himself to bo possessed of almost a Yankee memory, by being able to recite offhand the subscriptions and the indivi dual amounts. It did not, however, re quire a votary of Pitman to be able to chronicle them as they glibly fell from the Captain’s lips—the complete list being as follows : —Messrs. Orr and Go., L 5 ; Mr. Baldwin, LI Is. On in quiry however, we find that the Captain’s list was scarcely complete, for there has to be included in it the following ;—Mr. Chapman, L 3 ; Mr. Shury, for the Bank, L 3 3s. ; Mr. Baldwin, another guinea. The hugeness of the Captain’s list so took the Council by surprise, that they quailed before the magnitude of the subject, and judiciously left it alone. It is considered that a greater multitude of intellects is necessary to deal with the subject, and a wiseacre has suggested that a large Com mittee should be empannelled to consider Fire Brigade matters, such Committee to be recruited from Ashburton property owners whose names do not yet appear on the subscription list as honorary mem bers. The only honorary member of the Brigade, who has qualified by paying the fee, is Mr. Joseph Baldwin.

Wakanui Sports.—A meeting to ar range for sports at Wakanui on New Year’s Day is to be held on Saturday evening in the Schoolroom, Wakanui. A subscription is also being raised in the Wakanui district to give the school children a Christmas treat. Breezy. —There was a slight breeze at the Council last night, which somewhat relieved the monotony; Mr. St. Hill made a remark in a tone that A. Ward would call “ sarcastical,” and Mr. Har rison. feeling that he was being spoken at, went for “ the lovely St. Hill,” declining to be insulted. Nothing came of the affair, however, and the zephyr subsided without any broken bones. “ The Lady of Lyons. ” —To-night, as our readers know, Mrs. Thompson takes her benefit in the Town Hall. It is her last appearance in Ashburton, and those who have enjoyed the many treats she has given them, and appreciate the aid she has given to the Amateur Dramatic Club, ought to be present at her farewell. The rehearsals of “ The Lady of Lyons ” have been very successful and the piece is ex pected to go divinely.

The Trotting Clue. —ln another column the entries and nominations for the Trotting Club’s events are given, and their numbers promise a good meeting. The money to be run for is thus allocated; Maiden Saddle Trot, Ll 5 ; Maiden Har ness Trot, LlO ; Champion Handicap, L2O ; Buggy Tournament, Ll 5 ; Welter Handicap, LlO. For the privileges un sold by auction, Messrs. Quill and Wilki ’s offer of L3O has been accepted.

Good Tkm flaky.— The Town Hall was crowded last night on the occasion of a temperance meeting, hold at the close of a special session of the Grand Lb: ge Executive of the Good Templar Order, at which over thirty members who had earned the honor received the Grand Lodge Degree. The public meeting was addressed by Dr lloseby, the Grand Cl ef of the Order, and by Mi’. J. W. Ja no, P.G. W.C.T., and the Hon. James Mini ro, a delegate from Victoria. The addresses were of the high class to be expected fr. m such speakers as the above gentlemen are known to be, and were highly appreciated. The meetihg closed with the usual voies of thanks. Holloway’s Ointment and Pill:. — The finest remedies in the world for had h gs, old wounds, sores, and ulcers. Ifusedaccon lug to directions given with them there is no wot id, bad legs, or ulcerous sore, however obstii ate or long standing, but will yield to their hea ! ng and curative properties. Numbers of perrons who have been patients in several of the h :gc hospitals and the care of eminent surgeons, without deriving the slightest benefit, have been thoroughly cured by Holloway’s Oint ment and Pills. For glandular swellings, tumours, scurvy, and diseases of the skin there is no medicine that can he used with so good in effect. In fact, in the worst forms of dis ease, dependent upon the condition of the blood, these medicines, if used conjointly, e irresistible.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) Only Bounce. London, Dec. 13. The latest intelligence to hand from the Cape states that the Boers are threatening a rebellion. This, however, is not expected to take place. The Imperial Cabinet and the Irish Question. At a Cabinet Council held to-day by Ministers, Mr. W. E. Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, having insisted upon adopting coercive measures in Ireland, an immediate meeting of Par liament is quite possible. Death of Madame Thiers. Obituary—Madame Thiers, wife of the late M. Thiers, formerly President of the French Republic. Much Worse. Calcutta, Dec. 13. The Marquis of Ripon has had a re lapse, and his medical attendants state he is much worse.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Relics. Sydney, To-day. Three camels, which belonged to Baker and Mills’ expedition in iB6o-6r, have been captured near Wilcannia, on the Darling river, in the north-west of this colony. Plenty of Money. Brisbane, To-day. The Queensland Banks have re duced their rate of interest on deposits to two, three, and four per cent, for three, six, and twelve months respec tively. Their rates of discount have been reduced to six, seven and eight per cent, for three and four months and beyond respectively. Cricket. Melbourne, Dec, 12. The cricket match between the Aus tralian Eleven and Victorian represen tative eleven was continued to-day. The latter continued their second in nings, and were all disposed of for 145 runs. The Australians then went in for their second innings, and after losing two wickets for 24 runs, won the match by eight wickets.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Admiralty House. Auckland, To-day.

Admiralty House here is being reno vated for the reception of the Com modore of the Station.

The Telephone, The postal and telegraphic officers and the Fire Brigade and police stations, and other public officers are to he shortly con nected by telephone. To Intending Mormons.

J. L. Lundon, late priest of the Canter bury Mormon Mission, who left Auckland with Elder Pearce for Utah, has sent a letter to Auckland, in which he says that having learned there is to he another exodus of deluded Mormon victims from New Zealand to Utah, he considers it his duty before God and nian, to warn intending immigrants. He says that the Mormon priest hood, as a rule, consist of liars de bauchees, and murderers, and instances the case of John Taylor, who had four wives living while teaching in France that plurality of wives was not taught by Mormon doctrines. The letter gives instances of the seduction of many women, and concludes by stating that Mormon ism is nothing but a well organised system of disloyalty and deception, luring thousands to poverty every year, and he also says that if some of the .Mormon Elders bad their deserts, they would have been thrust into gaol while in New Zealand for indecent assault, or something worse. He says he could tell a long story of their actions while in New Zealand. Land Wanted, Haweka, To-day.

There were 105 applications received yesterday for the deferred-payment land, 83 being from Hawera and 22 from Pafcea. Four sections were uncontested. James Crawford, farmer,-Waitotara ; John Win. Barnes, laborer, Blenheim; John Bentley, settler, Wellington ; James Wilson, plate layer, were the successful applicants. No. 1 section, block 5, was the only section not applied for. Large numbers are here, and competition is likely to be more brisk ban at the first sale.

The Trial of Tuahi. Wellington, To-day. The chai’ge of murder against Tuahi is still occupying the Court. Twenty wit nesses have yet to be examined, and it is not likely the case will conclude before to-morrow. Fatal Mining Accident. Greymouth, To-day. Yesterday an accident occurcd on a lead at the Seventeen Mile beach, by which a miner named Michael Kerry lost his life. It is conjectured that the giving way of a false set of timber was the case of the disaster. Every r assistance was given by the miners, but life was extinct before Kerry could bo released. The Late Shooting Case- Dunedin, To-day. In Kislinbury’s case the jury returned this rider :—“ The jury are of opinion that Government should issue or institute a gun license, which would have the effect of preventing in a groat measure, if not entirely, the sale of firearms to boys. ’ Kickists for England. The Otago Daily Time* says —■“ We hoar on good authority that the idea of sending an Australasian football team to England in a few mouths has now assumed a definite shape, and that the men will he picked in a few days, with the consent of the leading Football Clubs of the colony. New Zealand will be represented by Murray, Sweet, and Hamcrton. These are merely suggested as suitable represen tatives of Otago, and the footballers of Northern Clubs arc to be invited to nomi nate theirs. ”

Ashburton Trotting Club.

The following entries and nominations for the undergiven events have been re ceived by the Secretary:— Maiden Trot (in Saddle). Mr F. Journeaux’s Bill. Mr O. Digby’s Bijou. Mr G. Kidd’s Maori. Mr D. Maclean’s Bob. Mr W. Price’s Ginger. Mr M. Morshead’s Bones. Mr W, B. Compton’s Firefly. Mr J. Dickens’ Ploughman. Maiden Harness Trotting Race. Mr W, B. Compton's Firefly. Mr J. W. M'Rae’s Brandy. Mr J, Wilkie’s Donald. Ashburton Champion Handicap Trotting Race. Mr O. Digby’s Jess. Mr W. Price’s Ginger. Mr W. B. Compton’s Firefly. Buggy Tournament (Handicap). Mr J. W. M'Rae’s Brandy. Mr J. Wilkie’s Donald. Mr I. Irwin’s Taipo. Welter Handicap. Mr O. Digby’s Jess. Mr J. Dickens’ Ploughman.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, in the Council Chambers. Present His Worship the Mayor (presiding), and Messrs. Parkin, St. Hill, Harrison, and R. Friedlander. mayor’s statement.

The Mayor said the bank balance amounted to L 390 19s. Bd., and the rates collected during the week had been L 33 Gs. 6d., leaving only L 37 ss. 6d. of last year’s rates to be collected. Of the latter sum L 25 or thereby was due by persons who could not be found, but the Act pro vided for the carrying forward of these arrears; Regarding the proposed loan of L 2,500, the opinion of the Borough’s solicitors was that the permission obtained from the ratepayers eighteen months ago to borrow L 15,000 had lapsed, and pro ceedings would have to bo commenced de no ro. THE FIRE BRIGADE. The captain of the Fire Brigade, Mr. James Wilkie, wrote stating that Lieut. Dolman had apologised for having made use of certain expressions in regard to the Town Hall, referred to at last meeting of the Council. Mr. Wilkie stated that the language in question had been made use of under excitement caused by what Mr. Dolman considered unfair treatment at the hands of the directors of the Town Hall Company, and had expressed his deep regret that the words had been uttered. The writer was quite sure that the Council would agree with the Brigade that Mr. Dolman’s services had been in valuable to the Borough in training and organising the men, and no one believed for a moment that, should the Town Hall take fire, Lieutenant Dohmwi would not be one of the first in the field. The Brigade took the opportunity given by this letter of jogging the Council’s memory in regard to the conditions on which the Brigade's services were ac cepted, and hinting at the accept ableness with which arrears of subsidy would be received..

The apology was accepted, and the latter part of the letter was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee, the appointment of which was moved for by Councillor Parkin, and consisted of Messrs. St. Hill, Harrison, and Friedlander. Mr. Wilkie waited on the Council, and explained that arrears of subsidy amount ing to L 75 were still due, and that only L 25 towards LOO incurred by the Brigade fop unifonns had been paid by the Council. The men still required boots and trousers to complete their uniform, while the hose was becoming dilapidated, and the longest length the Brigade possessed had only recently burst while in practice in the Domain. The money due by the Council would supply sufficient hose. The Mayor pointed out that the Brigade was not neglected by the Council, and that the procuring of a steam fire engine, to cost LOGO, was under consideration. Leave was granted to the Brigade to discharge fireworks on the evening of the 27th instant, and the patronage of the Mayor and Corporation was granted to the demonstration, as well as a sum of L 5 towards its expenses, the grant being cus tomary in other boroughs. Mr. A. Scott, secretary Fire Insurance Association, wrote enclosing a cheque for LSO as the Association’s contribution to wards the funds of the local Fire Brigade for the current year. In another letter he stated that all the Society’s funds for fire prevention purposes had been allocated, and that no more could be given towards a steam fire engine until the cud of March next.

After some further conversation the matter dropped. BUILDING. Mr. G. Compton obtained leave to build a verandah in front of his section in Moore street. Mr. S. Revans, for the Bank of New Zealand, applied for permission to make additions and alterations in wood to the building now occupied by the bank in East street. The alterations proposed would be of a temporary character, the bank purposing to erect later on a sub stantial building, suitable to its require ments and ornamental to the town. After some discussion it was resolved to defer consideration of the matter until Wednesday next, when a special meeting would be called. THE MAYOR. Mr. G. S. Cooper, Under Secretary, acknowledged receipt of letter notifying the re-election of the Mayor. “ WORK IT OUT.” A tenant of one of the Borough’s cottages offered to work out arrears of rent if the Council would give him a job. Referred to the Works Committee, THE ENGINEERS’ SALARY. The following letter to the Mayor was read:— Sir, —We beg to acknowledge receipt of copy of resolutions passed at the meeting of the Borough Council, held on the 29th ultimo, relative to the payment for our services. We trust the Council will not consider us captious, and hope that they will give us credit for a sincere desire to meet their wishes, as also for

the proper and economical working of the department under our direction, although we ask the Council to re-consider the resolution referred to, on the grounds —first, that the ar rangement does not appear to us to be work able; and, second, that it makes a reduction in our remuneration as compared with the former agreement, which we venture to think the Council itself, on full consideration, will acknowledge there are insufficient grounds for making. With respect to our first objection we submit that we have done, and would he likely to be called on to do, work involving a considerable expenditure of time, such as draw ing reports on matters that involve no expenditure on the part of the Council, taking levels, and making estimates of works that inay not be executed, acting as Borough Engineers under the by-laws, carrying out works of small cost, but requiring perhaps as much of our time in preparation.and supervising as expensive works, and generally watching and attending to the interests of the Borough, for which we should receive no payment, or one very inadequate. We would also respectfully submit that the articles purchased of a professional man are not so much his time, but his brains, his techni cal ability and experience. In the second place we would respectfully state the position we have held with the Council. We were engaged as Borough Engineers two years ago, at a salary of Ll5O per annum, with the under standing that only a small proportion of the time of our Mr. Kooks, senr., say nbcut three days a week, would be employed ; and some short lime after, it was determined to carry out a water supply and drainage scheme, for the direction of which wo were to receive addition ally a commission of seven pci cent. During the rear 1879 the inc >mc of the Council ex ceeded the estimates, and in addition a portion of the following years rates was forestalled, so that more work was done by the Council in the ) v car than we believe was anticipated on oiir engagement, and wc may staid that the forestalling necessitates the suspension of our salary i for four months. . Wc'- were also en gaged, in preparing for the water supply and drainage scheme, by taking levels, making cal culations, estimates, and plans. Forth's latter work wc expected to be reimbursed by the stipulated commission when the scheme was carried out, and at the time it should be recol lected that the amount on which the commis sion would be charged was expected to be about 1.15,000 to L 20,000, Now that a much smaller amount is proposed to be expended, we cannot think that we are acting unfairly if we claim that the original agreement should be adhered to, considering that we have made all the preliminary preparations and digested and matured a plan that has been approved, and also seeing that the modification in the scheme has not lessened our preparatory work, but will considerably lessen our remuneration. With respect to our letter of the 15th ultimo, we wish it to be understood that it was not written in acquiescence with any idea that we were overpaid, but ns a compromise, and from a wish to meet the retrenchment views of the Council at a time tiicy did not expect funds sufficient to execute works to any extent, and we would further respectfully submit. that we have only received, exclusive of commission on the water supply, about LSO as payment fot the ordinary work eluting the present year, so that wc cannot see that wc have pressed, or are pressing unduly on the Borough’s funds. In conclusion, we would state that wc are going on with the rate roll in the expectation that it will be paid for at a fair rate. —We have, &c., Fooks and Son.

After much desultory talk the resolu tion of last meeting was adhered to, on the motion of Mr, St. Hill. TUSSOCKS. Owing to the cost of carting tussocks, Messrs. Jameson and Roberts asked for permission to burn heaps of tussocks that they had had cut and piled on 21 sections. The application was refused, as advan tage had not been taken of the time allowed by the Council. THE LOAN. Messrs. Branson and Purnell wrote, in answer to a question submitted to them as to the power of the Council to borrow on the authority of a resolution to raise L 15.000, confirmed by the ratepayers in June, 1879, that 18 months had elapsed withoutaction being taken; two regular elec tions to the Council had occurred since then ; a new Act had passed materially afieciiig the law relating to the issue of municipal loans, and that therefore the resolution of June, 1879, must ho cou sideredto have lapsed, and if the Council desires to borrow money for a water supply, it must begin de, novo. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor. THE RAILWAY CATTLE YARDS. The County Council wrote, asking the co-operation of the Council in pressing the matter of the removal of the railway cattle yards from their present site, to one beyond the influence of the borough by laws, which prevented their use at other than excessively inconvenient hours. The members were unanimous in favor of the removal of the yards, and gave the Mayor full power to act with the County. ENGINEERS’ REPORT. ICetbing and Channelling IVest street. —The contractor has commenced this work. We had intended making the channelling to the timber ke bing between Barnett and Havelock streets first ; but have set the men on at Wills street, as it has been suggested by a member of the Works Committee that it would be advisable to remove the wooden kerbing and substitute concrete. We have thought it right to submit the question to the Council. Footpaths, Cox street. —We have taken de tail levels of all the streets north-east of and including Cox street, for the purpose of grad ing them in a systematic manner, and ascer taining the quantity of cutting and filling in the several streets. As we have before repre sented and recommended to the Council to re form Cox street before making the footpaths, we now find it would be much more advisable and economical to carry out the plan. At a cost we estimate that hire-forming Cox street, it would supply sufficient material to make up several of the adjacent streets that requre it. The present shingle could be utilised with little waste.

IVaU’r Supply. —lt has been suggested that a supply that would include the whole of the north-west portion of the Borough may be ob tained by tapping the supply channel in Win ter’s road, and by making use of one of the cross roads, the water couid be brought into the Alford Forest road, and thence to the Town Belt. From this point the north-west Belt, and all the streets north-west of the railway could be supplied. We have not yet made any examination so as to recommend any particular route fiom Winter’s road, but we submt the idea as worth the consideration of the Council.

■ The Labor Gang have been engaged in cleav ing sde channels, making and fixing culverts and bridges, putting in 'timber kerbing at reservoir, raking and carting stones off streets, making cutting in Aitken street, &c. One of the men, who is engaged in keeping the con crele channels dear, and attending to the supply channels, &c., has been removed, by order of the Works Committee, from the con trol or supervision of the overseer. As we do not concur in this, being necessarily unable to certify to the accuracy, &c., of his time table, we respectfully request the Council’s decision on the matter. We have passed his full time on the pay sheet on this occasion, as wc believe it to be correct, but it is not vouched for, as it ought to be, and as the other men’s time is, by the overseer. We have handed to the Town Clerk a reply received from Mr. Marsh man in respect of the road reserve applied for to connect Winter street and Peter s' reel. Fooks & Son.

It was resolved to take up the wooden kerhing between Havelock and Burnet streets, and replace with concrete ; also, to reform Cox street at a cost of about LBO. Regarding the suggestion made in the Engineers’ report as to a water supply for the north-western side of the town, the Engineers were instructed to report at next meeting. The matter of one of the workmen, having been withdrawn from the control of the overseer was referred to the Works Committee. ASPHALTING. The ratepayers in Bast street having, with one or two exceptions, consented to bear part of the cost of asphalting, it was resolved to call for tenders, so that a re liable knowledge of cost may be obtained before the next meeting, and the work could go on. Mr. Harrison moved for a statement of the. proposed works, to be laid before next meeting. Carried. ; Accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned,

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ASHBURTON.— Tuesday, Dec. 14.

(Before Mr. Nugent Wood, R. M.) vagrancy.

John Edward Lowry was charged with vagrancy, with having- been drunk on Saturday, and with having solicited alms in Mr. Gavin’s shop, East street. Mr. Gavin said the man came to his shop on Saturday, and demanded a shil ling. He was several times refused, and ultimately prisoner took out a knife and threatened to do himself injury. His Worship lectured prisoner severely, saying that he had gone and spent all his money, drunk a gallon or so of whisky, and had cost Government a half-guinea for a doctor to put him right. This sort of thing ran away with the profits to the public revenue, .and was a loss every way —to prisoner and the community. He would remand the prisoner for forty-eight hours, with a view to allow him to “ suffer a recovery ” under the doctor’s care. CONCEALMENT OF PREGNANCY.

Sarah Brimmicomb, from Rakaia, charged with concealment of pregnancy, was remanded for eight day 7 s, pending the result of an inquest to be held to morrow on the body of a child which had been found in rear of her father’s house, and which was assumed to have been prisoner’s. INDECENT ASSAULT. George Norrie was charged with in decently assaulting a child named Eliza beth« Ann Wilson. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. Branson. Sergeant Felton said that at about 6.30 a.m., on the 12th, he arrested prisoner at the Somerset Hotel on a charge of in decently assaulting a little girl, the daughter of Mr. Wilson. Prisoner mumbled something, which witness could not catch. Prisoner was partially under the influence of drink. About an hour later, I saw him in the lock-up, and asked him if he clearly understood the nature of the charge, and he replied that he did, adding—You have known me a long time Sergeant ; more than ton years. You didn’t think I’d do such a thing.

George Wilson, sworn, said—l am a carpenter, and live at the East Town Belt. I know prisoner. Made an agree ment with him to come to my house on Sunday morning, the. 12tli, to return to Mr. Poache’s, Mount Somers, in a trap. Nome came to my house on the morning of Sunday, hut it was at four o’clock. I heard a knocking at the door. Mrs. Wil son got up first and looked out, but saw no one. I then got up and looked out and saw Norrie at the back door. I asked him what on earth had brought him there at that time in the morning, and he replied that he had been on the spree all night. He asked liberty to lie down on a bench in the scullery. This was in con sequence of my telling him that I did not intend to start before breakfast, jl told him ho could not lie there, but he could sit in the kitchen in the arm-chair. He did so, and I went to bed. I was awakened at about six by hearing a strange noise, and by hearing my daugh ter, a child of eight, calling out. I got up and came out of my bedroom. As I passed the kitchen I saw the arm-chair empty, and Nome’s clothes on the floor— his trousers were not there. I rushed into the bedroom where my daughter was, and saw Norrie on my daughter’s bed. [The details of the assault were here given.] The child said she could not cry out loud because Norrie had his hand on her mouth. Asked Norrie what he was doing there, and he answered, “ Nothing, by G , nothing.” I turned him’out of the house and went for the police. I have three other children, and they slept in the same room. I have known Norrie for a number of years, and we were recently shearing together in the same shed. The children’s Pbcdroom door is left ajar, so that their mother, who is hard of hearing, may hear the children cry. When I went to bed I did not shut the passage door. [Witness here drew a plan of the house.] The bedclothes of the child’s bed were all of a heap near the foot of the bed, which was a single bedstead of a large size. Mrs. Wilson’s evidence was then given. It was mainly corroborative circumstanti ally of that given by her husband, and during her examination the Court was cleared.

The evidence of Ann Wilson, the girl, was taken, and given in a very clear man ner, but while under cross-examination by Mi'. Branson her statements were somewhat conflicting. His Worship thought that in the interests of justice the prisoner should be sent to trial, but admitted accused to bail in two sureties of LSO each. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. B. Huges v. Leask.—This was an in formation laid against defendant for using abusive language. Mr. Crisp appeared for defendant, and on his behalf pled guilty, and apologised for the conduct of his client, who was under the influence of liquor at the time. Mr. Hughes did not wish to press the charge, and his Worship inflicted a penalty of 10s. and costs. ASTRAY. Par Paterson, charged with allowing one horso to wander at large in East, street, was fined ss. and costs. CIVIL CASES Orr and Co. v. Bristow. —No appearance. Jameson and Roberts v. Fitzgerald.— adjourned for a week. W. Montgomery and Co. v. Shepherd. —Mr. Crisp for plaintiff. Mr, O’Reilly for defendant, made a preliminary objec tion on the ground that the full names of the plaintiffs were not set out, and pled non-liability. His Worship remarked that the firm was advertised as a limited liability company. Mr. O’Reilly remarked that it would bo for the other side to prove that the plaintiffs were trading as a company. Mr. Crisp submitted that if in such cases the certificates of incorporation were to be produced, there would be an endless amount of trouble entailed. But even were such a course necessary, his Worship had the power to take any evidence he might think proper, and Mr. Hughes, the manager of the firm, was present to certify to the existence of the company. His Worship said he thought the objection, although trivial, was good, but was of opinion it was a pity such objections should be raised. On the application of Mr. Crisp, the case was adjourned for a week, to allow of the production of the certificate of incorporation. Wilson v. Little. On the application of Mr. Purnell, for plaintiff, this case was adjourned for a week, on the usual costs being paid. Mr. O’Reilly asked his Worship if in civil cases he would allow the parties to a suit expenses as witnesses. Mr. Wood naively replied that “ Sufficient untq the day is the evil thereof;” and when a case was brought before Ixim, when such an application was made, he would give his opinion. Stephens v. Boileau. Mr. Purnell, for the debtor, made a preliminary objecion on the ground that a judgment summons case which had been before the Court previously, had been argued on its merits, and dismissed. The rules required that no successive judgment summons can be issued. The case was dismissed.

Fooks and Son v. Pyke. The case was withdrawn, defendant having filed his schedule. Mutch and M'Kenzie v. Fraser. Claim, L 25 IBs. Judgment for amount with costs, and immediate execution granted.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

BARBARA. “ Was there any mails, Eben ?” And leaning over the little wicket gate, her dark locks falling about her in pretty careless tresses, Barbara looked wistfully down the shady street and then up at the tossing elms, where the busy birds were chattering. And sad to relate, a frown of discontent crept over Barbara’s low white brow. “No, there were no letters for the Leightons,” said Eben, in rather _ a savage mood. “ I made special in quiries for you,” and Eben’s lower lip trembled a little, and his voice softened wonderfully for him. “ I suppose you are anxious to get away from this old place, Miss Barbara ?” “ Yes,, I am,” said Miss Leighton, sharply, with an imperial air. “I am sick of it. I should be glad to go any where from here.”

Eben made no reply. Ke looked down at the tangled curls, the soft, wistful brown eyes, the dimpled hands clasped over the mesh of honeysuckles —then away over the top of the snowy balsams towards the great world where Barbara’s heart was. He was thinking, with one cruel pang which gripped his heart at that moment, of what life would be at the farm without Barbara. He had tried of late to live without con necting her in any way with his days and nights, his duties, his hardships, and his joys, but he had made very sorry work of it. It gave Eben a fright to know how much everything de pended on this proud, spoiled beauty, whose dream now was to get away from such as he—the common folks around Larborough. Barbara, at eighteen, had a great longing for that gay world of which she had read in summer evenings when sitting under the musky vines in the farmhouse porch, when lying amid the cowslips in the meadows where, under a growing weight of care Eben toiled with great brown hands in the capacity of help to the Widow Leighton. Eben was as much part and parcel of the place as the crumbling headstones in the graveyard on the hill, where all the Leightons were lying. No one ever dreamed of his going away, although his merits were acknowledged, and it was cheerfully admitted that the boy had grown into a strong, handsome man, with shrewd capacities as a financier, and a turn for machinery. A great many at the village had dropped into the habit of addressing him lately as Mr. Hexford, and Eben’s muscles commanded respect. He had a little snuggery in the barn he called his work shop, where at odd hours and on rainy days, he tinkered with lathes and pulleys and edge tools. When his farm work had been tidied up and the cows milked and turned into the green woodlands again, Eben shut himself up in his workshop and pottered over his numer ous inventions, and thought of what great possibilities might have been his if he had been born something better than Mr. Leighton’s farm hand. He realised sensibly that there were still possibilities for him out beyond the dark lines of elms and firs which he could see from his study window. But hisbenefactor died and left all thetangled threads of his affairs for young Hexford to unravel, and he could not have deserted Mrs. Leighton and the girls Barbara and Theo. It would not have been right or manly. Things were going straight now, however ; the farm was in a prosperous condition, and even an indifferent manager could have kept the wheels moving which Eben had fixed in their places. But Eben re mained on the farm while the seasons waxed and waned, and the girls were growing into fine, tall young women, with restless yearnings for a busier life than was to be had at Larborough. He had expected that a girl so pretty as Barbara would be some time leaving so dull a place, but he nevertheless felt a wild, savage pain in his heart, when he learned that a letter had been sent to a distant aunt to see if she would not look after Barbara while she enjoyed the advantages of a finishing school for young ladies. The longest summer days would fade into short summer nights, and by-and-by, when the first, yellow leaves would be dropping into pools and hollows, Barbara would go away—perhaps forever.

Eben was too much of a man to sigh, and too muscular to do without his sup per, but he fell into the bad habit of taking long walks alone, or of sitting under the honeysuckles on the porch where he could see the moon rise and where he could hear the young ladies singing rather plaintive songs, accom panied by the cracked strains of the old harpsicord in the best room. He had just plucked the first round, full rose of May, and twirling it thought fully in his fingers as he strolled down the garden path to his workshop, when he heard the breezy flutter of a muslin robe and a light footfall behind him on the gravel walk. He turned with a blaze of fire in his black eyes and the rose extended. His hands dropped to his side. It was Theo who came rapidly after him swinging a white sun bonnet by one string. Theo was a saucy, petulant, provok ing young person of sixteen, whose pranks and whims had often tried Eben’s temper sorely—having him slop the harvesting to saddle Kulof her pony, or meddle with his tools and up set his newest invention. But Theo’s eyes were such lovely blue and her smile so bewitching that Eben had not the heart to scold, besides he had humored her in all her wilfulness him self, and there was the faintest resem blance to Barbara in the brow and dimple chin which tied him hand and foot. (To be continued.)

A Cantiniere of the First Empire.

Paris still possesses, in the person of a Madame Fetter, a-notable relic of the old empire. Although at the advanced age of 93, and living on the fourth floor of a house in the Rue des Martyrs, she enjoys good health, and is still able to contribute to her own livelihood by needlework. Unfortunately, her memory is somewhat defective, other wise what interesting details we might expect from one who had been present at the battles, among others, of Lipzig Dresden, and Austerlitz, not to mention the Russian campaign and the disas trous retreat from Moscow. The old. heorine lias survived all her twelve children except one, whose daughters have recently received the second prize for the piano from the Paris Conserva toire. It is sad to think that with such a stirring past the old cantiniere is only-, in receipt of a miserably small pension. In 1829 Marshal Sebastian! obtained for her an allowance from the State of 60 francs a year. In 1868 she wrote to Marshal Niel, reminding him- that she had known him at Metz as a child, and had nursed him on her knee. Her pension was then increased to ,100 francs, at which sum it still remains. A curious but sad incident occurred on her draw ing her first yearly pension at the in creased rate. .Poor widow Fetter had her pocket picked of the whole amount when returning home in an omnibus. We have often heard in thiscoumry of Waterloo veterans . becoming paupers and T rafalgar heroes being in dire" dis tress, but whenever this occurs public spirit is never appealed to in vain, and a sum is collected and invested, so that the hero is enabled to spend his last years in comfort. In would be, a sad thing if the same feeling did not exist in France, and we trust that the old oc cupants of the fourth floor in the Rue St. Martyrs may soon receive such as sistance as to render it ho longer neces sary to work for her livelihood. ;

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1880.



THE GUARDIAN is published everj evening, giving every day's news, up to the hour of going to press. This is better than buying a . sixpenny weekly.



Spscirsl Advertisements. HE BEST V A L U E MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Clothing Factory, Which can ho 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. E A S T STREET. READY MONEY IS THE MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW, ZEALAND Ashburton Branch : 751 WM. SPARROW, Manager.



A NEW DEPARTURE. DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF TAILORING. ONE of the great requirements of the Colonies at the present time, is— CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER, AT READY MADE PRICES. In order to meet this want and bring our PERFECT FITTING SUITS, Within the reach of all, we have made arrangements which will enable us to offer CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER from COLONIAL or IMPORTED Materials, at the following Prices:— Roy's SUITS from £2 Men’s SUITS from £3 7s. 6d. Men’s TROUSERS from 18s 6d. Ladies’ MANTLES from £2 ss. PERFECT FlT—Any Style Required, and First-Class Workmanship guaranteed in every case. CRAIGHEAD & CO., TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr & Co.)



0. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT, BUILDINGS, mOBACCONIST, 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*



Winslow Sports and Races. —Entries for the Winslow Cup close on the 20th. Insolvency. G-. E. Pike, butcher, Ashburton, has filed his schedule,



Ekkatom. —A misprint occurred in Messrs. Craighead and Cc. ’s new advertise ment last night. The price of boy’s suits should have been £2. A. West End man who went fishing, caught a lovely string of trout, and a dog came up and snatched them away from him, and on going home he told those people who asked him of hia luck that he caught nothing, and so avoided being called a liar.—iJoisfou Pod , It is not sufficient, according to the Gin cinnati Saturday Night, to have the golden rule worked on a piece of perforated paper with green crewel and hung over the sitting-room mantle with a pink cord but it seems as if some people think it is



The date of the earliest eclipse of the sun recorded in the annals of the Chinese,, when ‘‘ on the first day of the last month of autumn, the sun and moon did ; not meet harmoniously in fang,” or in that - part of the heavens defined by two Stars. . in the constellation of the Scorpion, has been determined ~ Professor - Yon , I Oppolzer, of Vienna, to have been oxi the" morning of October 22nd, 2137 B.c. - r-T r WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 6061 ‘ ANTED 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 begs to inform the , public that he has taken the Above Sta Wes from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. ; 908c—2860 WANTED KNOWN—Just arrived r from England—Christmas, New * Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Bells, Is. 6d. each. Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each,- and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&c. A visit solicited. L. F. Andkewes, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527 Meetings. CHISPA’S PROCESSION. —My .Pro cession, to remove Mr. Hayes’ home stead to its new site, will leave the Post Office on WEDNESDAY Evening at 6.15. Band—Piper Elder and Drummer Eagle. All Friends invited to join. 743 IST OTICE TO. DAIRYMEN. A MEETING of MILKMEN will be held in Mr. Harrison’s Auction room, Havelock street, on TUESDAY Evening next, at 7 o’clock, when matters of , im-'. portance will be discussed. - : . 704 WILLIAM BARTLETT. % Amusements. DRAMATIC SOCIETY^ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 .’ ! (Lizzie Lizette’s Benefit Night). , . At the conclusion of the Dramatic per formance A PLAIN DRESS BALL Will take place in the Town Hall. A Splendid Band, and an efficient Master of Ceremonies. Admission—Gentlemen, 2s. 6d, 714 ; Tenders. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. ’ , - (Christchurch Section.) TENDERS FOR BOOKSTALLS. SEPARATE Written Tenders will be • received at this office, addressed to the undersigned, up to noon on MON DAY, 20th December, for the LEASE of the BOOKSTALLS at the Christchurch and Ashburton Railway Stations for one year, from Ist January, 1881. Tenders to be accompanied by a marked cheque for £5, good for ten days. Specifications and conditions can* be.' seen at the Christchurch and Ashburton Stationmasters’ offices; The highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. 4 FREDK. BACK, Traffic Manager. Traffic Manager’s Office, : 746 Christchurch, Dec, Bth, 1880.