SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Hawea, s.s., from Dunedin and Timaru. Go-ahead, s.s., fiom Boat Harbor. Cleopatra, brigantine, from Greymouth. To-day. Wakatipu, s.s., from Sydney, via Wel lington. Ringarooina, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Hawea, s.s., for Wellington and North. Tui, s. s, for Kaikoura and North. Go-ahead, s.s., for Wellington and Napier. To-day. Ringarooma, s.s., for Melbourne, via the South. Palace, barque, for Newcastle. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Helena, from Raratonga ; Rotorua, at Russell. Sailed—Wanaka, for the South from the Manakau. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Sophiaß. Luhrs, barque, from Newcastle j Kennedy and Grafton, from Nelson. Sailed —Hero, for Melbourne, via the West Coast. Westport, Yesterday. Arrived —Zephyr, from Hokitika ; Ex aminer, from Lyttelton. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Mary Banuatyne, from Grey mouth ; Taiaroa, from Lyttelton. Sailed—Taiaroa, for Dunedin ; Star of the South, for Oamaru. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Arawata, s.s., from Bluff.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Friday, December 31. Mr. T. Bullock, at his rooms, East street —Freehold and Leasehold Property. Two o'clock. Mr. T. Bullock —Usual Weekly Sale. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. Tuesday, January 4. Quill and Co., Monthly Sale, Mount Somers. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-Night, Wednesday, December 20. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o'clock.

MARRIAGE.

Davis— Hardley.—On 29th December, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. A. J. Smith, William Charles Davis to Mary Aun Hardley.

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

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880 Otago v. Canterbury.

A criminal is often detected by means of the jealous efforts he makes to conceal his crime, and the weakness of a public man is not infrequently paraded before all observers by the steps he takes to appear uncommonly wise. If Mr. Oliver and Mr. Maxwell had q uietly pursued their course of uniform railway charges without offering any reasons for such a system, their friends w ould have found many excuses for men), and some are so obvious that cuey must have been allowed even by enemies. But when these gentle men enter too jealously on their own and assign reasons for their a tions which wil> not bear a moment's ex amination, they leave no doubt as to t i x e weakness of their case, and lead at ' nee to the conclusion that in addition o their many deficiencies they are un able to take a Colonial view of their duties, and think and act only for par ticular Provincial Districts. Nothing could be more fatal to the reputation and usefulness either of a Minister of Public Works or a general manager of railways than the exhibitions we have lately had from these two gentlemen of a disposition to give the public incom plete and one-sided statements, in tended to justify their evident disin genuous partiality in the discharge of their public duties. Neither of them are experienced public men, but it is hardly possible that even they could have supposed the facts they mis stated in favor of Otago, and the im portant points they suppressed that would have told in favor of Canterbury, would be allowed to remain before thepublic as they wished to place them ; or that they could fail to see that such an easily detected evidence of in judicious partiality would tell against both themselves and the cause ihey were so anxious to serve. To tell us that the difference between Otago and Canterbury gradients was only the difference between one in fifty and one in eighty, whilst entirely sup pressing the fact that there were twenty ups and downs in Otago for one in Canterbury, was a statement not likely to pass unchallenged long. But when Mr. Maxwell tells us that the easier gradients make little or no practical difference, because the goods traffic is so limited that in either case the engines do not take all they might do, he must have been lament ably ignorant of what is daily passing before us in Canterbury, and of the long trains that attract our attention here during the grain season, and which clearly show how much cheaper grain can be taken over the Canterbury lines than it ever can be over those of Otago or Wellington. Mr. Maxwell would have been wiser to make himself better acquainted with the Canterbury lines and their actual working before he ventured into print about them, and both he and his principal will find it necessary to remember that whatever theii own inclinations may lead them to desire, and however anxious they may be to serve any particular district at the expense of others, their duties are now of a Colonial character, and if unable to suppress they ought, at least, to conceal their provincial proclivities. The relative positions of Canterbury and Otago in the present Ministry remind us of a story of a fond mother's efforts to teach good manners to her two promising children, Mary and John. On one occasion she gave Mary two apples, and told her to give one to John. Mary said, "Which shall I give to John?" "Oh, give him the largest, of course, and teach him good manners," said the mother. Next day the gift was repeated, when John showed his progress in etiquette by saying, " Now, Mary, give me the largest, and teach me good manners again." We have Mr. Rolies ton seeking every occasion to show the House and the colony how politely he is willing tc wave the interests of himself and his district, and to give the largest apple on every oc casion to the districts in which he has no personal interest. We have Mr. Hall carrying the same spirit so far as to prepare a Redistribution of Seats Bill, giving Canterbury far less repre sentation in proportion to its popula tion than any other part of the colony, and thus placing it at a disadvantage for many years to come, whilst Mr. Oliver is always standing by, eager to be taught good manners in this pleasant way, and ever ready to secure the largest and best apples for Otago.

Winslow Sports.—" Telephone's" tips on the Winslow races will appear in our Friday evening's issue. The Late Fatal Accident to a Jockey.—At the inquest on the body of the late jockey, Nolan, the jury returned a verdict of " accidental death." The un fortunate man leaves a widow and two children in Melbourne, on whose behalf a subscription list was opened by Mr. Percival, Secretary to the A.R.C., and the sum of LIOO was raised in a few hours. Nolan's remains will be forwarded to Melbourne. Another Trophy to Ashburton.—We had the pleasure to-day of inspecting a medal won by Corporal E. Cookson of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry (Ashburton contingent) at Temuka, on the 9th Novem ber last. It is an ornament for any man to be proud of, but more especially when it was gained in a competition against the eight cavalrymen who attended on the occasion specially to take away the coveted prize to " other climes." The medal is a Maltese cross, having the design of the usual crossed sabres, and the name of the prize winner, and the place and date of the victory. The medal is extremely handsome, and can be seen at Trooper Chambers' shop, in East street, and the sword with which the victory was gained. We have no doubt but that the Cookaons of the next generation will look upon this medal as a family heirloom. Ashburton ought to feel proud of the part their con tingent have taken in regard to cavalry matters. At the Christchurch Easter re view, Sergeant Scott distanced the field in all competitions and scored No. 1 in every event. At Temuka he was conse quently appointed judge ; when, to the surprise ana dismay of the other contin gents, another Ashburton man came into the contest, and thanks to the manner in which the said sergeant had drilled his men, Corporal Cookson came off with flying colours.

The Weathek.— The weather to-d .y has been of a very mixed charact< v. "Thunder, lightning, and rain" hn.e divided honors with an occasional Sim shiny hour. Our Seafield reporter in forms us that a terrific hailstorm tov •!< place about 8 a.m. this morning, whi h came from a S. W. direction, and took a course from the beach near Kyle towards Southbridge. Several paddocks which it took in its course will give a poor retr .'n to the bagmen.

The Wheel of Life.—We have re ceived from the Register-General's office the New Zealand statistics for the year 1879. The volume contains a very lar : ,'e amount of matter of the description usually found in similar publications, but much of it is of little interest tc the general reader. From a hurried peru.ial we glean the following facts : —The esti mated population of New Zealand on ;he 31st December, 1879, was 403,729— being an increase during the year of 31,210 r r sons, or at the rate of 7 2 per cent. The total arrivals in New Zealand during the year amounted to 23,957 persons ; end 5,234 persons left the colony during Oie same period. The births amounted to 18,070 ; the marriages to 3,352 ; he deaths to 5,583. Of the births, 9,. D 5 were males, and 8,775 were females. Of the marriages, 2,792 were between bachelors and spinsters ; and 342 widows and 319 widowers married a second tii.e. Of the deaths, 2,605, or 4773 per cent. were undei five years of age. A Bolt.—The Longbeach con.ch took an unusual and erratic trip this morniog. Tommy Cotton, the regular handier of ;he ribbons, had delegated his office to a p.'-.rty not quite so reliable as the lenowned whip himself ; and the delegate evidently •as of opinion that a sixteen mile drive <as sufficient to cool the horses' ardor so ar- to stand at Mr. Cotton, senr's., reside ce while he went in to deliver a parcel ;>.n& have a yarn. But as it hapj. us that the said horses are stal-'ed at Baldwin's Hotel, and got ti ur provender at that hostelry, they made tracks (without a pilot) in the direction of the oats. Naturally they they went favoer for having no check upon them, and usual six-mile an hour pace shortly deve loped into a bolt, and the old coach went at a rattling pace towards Wakanui, and turned at Mr. Hunt's residence—two jockeys giving chase, but not successfi: ly. The horses turned at Mr. Hunt's, and re turned towards the Central, making a very good dart from the gate to the stables. But they were successful in catching the gate post with one of the hind wheels, wj ich was dislocated, and the pole will also hive to go into hospital for repairs. Tommy had better stick to his seat in future 1: im self. A Monkey Race. —Visitors to the sports ground during the past two days will remember having seen a man superin tending n. wreel-of-fortune of somewhat novel arrangement. He had i\ number of tickets numbered, which he sold at a shil ling each, or a shilling for two —we don't remember which. Having got rid of a number to suit him, ho asked a monkey he had with him to take a bailout of a lot,ery box, after the box had been spun round, and the balls in it well mixed. The balls were numbered up to so many, according to the number of tickets sold, and who ever held the ticket corresponding to the number of the ball drawn by the monkey earned the sweepstake, less the engineer's commission. The monkey worked hard, all day, and at evening yesterday, when one of the brothers Hodder was gyrating on the horizontal bar, Sambo saw- an opportunity and took it. All eyes were upon the supple Hod ler, when suddenly the monkey man was seen making a bee line and excel ent time for the horse yards. Public interest was at once changed from gym nastics to the monkey man, and it was soon seen that in the distance there was makine a good record for the yards some thing "very like a big rat. This was the monkey seizing his opportunity. In a few minutes two to one had been taken and offered on the monkey, and in a few minutes also man and monkey were doing a very interesting act on the higher fences, while the crowd, including competitors and judges, joined in the pursuit. Sambo's race was soon over, for after a few "sights" at his master he came to terms, and his master's arms, and capitulated, sadly disappointing his backers. During the clay several bets were taken and two to one was freely offered on vagrant hats that travolled over the enclosure on their own feet, pursued by their bare-headed owners, and several fat parties, both male and female, vere forced to enter for impromptu running events, who had been a long time out of training, and in not a few cases the backers of the vagrant potai won. " A Moral Agriculturist. " —Most of our readers will recollect that a few weeks ago Mr. George Wilcocks," the ex-pro prietor of the Wheatstone Hotel and the Longbeach Coach, disposed of hi 3 pro perty, with a view to starting business in " fresh fields and pastures new." George is what Mark Twain would call a " gay and festive cuss," and he endeavored to negotiate the purchase of several proper ties in Christchurch. George appears not to have been able to meet with anybody there who had sufficient confidence in him to give him a start, but an opening showed up in the swell house of the West Coast, viz., the Melbourne Hotel, at Grey mouth, a building of about the same size and appearance as Quill's here. The cash necessary for taking possession was LBOO. George didn't have 'it but by some in scrutable means, only known to the lawyers and the manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Greymouth, our old coaching friend got into the house by giving a cheque for LIOO, (which was not cashed), and a bill of sale for L7OO. It was a nice thing for George, but there was an item that seemed to have been for gotten, and that was the ground rent for the land on which the hotel stood. The lawyer for the Bank and for the owner of the ground was one and the same individual, and before our late Wheatstone landlord had been boss of the house a month, a bailiff walked in to get LSO for ground rent During the month George had not been idle. The maimer in which the butchers and bakers, et hoc genus omnc, suffered will be a caution to Greymouth tradesmen if they ever got an Ashburton speculator over there again. The thing collapsed by another purchaser being found who bought and paid cash for the hotel and fixings, and George's credi tors are now engaged in studying their profit and loss account.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Pit- Renter's Agency.) Death. London, Dec. 27. Obituary—John Joseph Mechi, ex alderman for London, aged 78. De ceased was best known as the inventor of the razor strop bearing his name. Exaggerated. Dec. 28. The latest reports to hand from the Cape go to prove that the disaster to the 94th regiment in the Transvaal has been greatly overstated. The casualties were only thirty, the remainder being disarmed and afterwards released. Elected Chairman- Mr. Parnell has been elected chair man of the Home Rulers in Ireland. The Demands of Greece. Further diplomatic communications have been received, wherein it is stated that Greece insists upon the adoption

of the frontier line as laid down at Berlin. Weary of His Honors. Beune. Dec. 27. The President of the Swiss Confede ration, who had but quite recently been elected to the position, committed suicide to-day in a street in this city.

AUSTRALIAN.

( Pet Reuters Agency.) Cricket. Melbourne, Doc. 28. In the Intercolonial cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales, the latter in their first innings scored 79 runs. In the'r second innings eight wickets have been lost for 247 runs. Gregory made 85.

Destructive Pire,

Brisbane, To-diy.

A destructive fire occurred last night at the wharves at Petrie's Bight, on the Brisbane river. It broke out at night, and raged for some time, doing considerable damage to property, though the destruction was not so great as it was at first feared it would be. Tho actual extent of the loss is not yet known, but the insurances com prise L 2,000 in the South British, half of which is reinsured with the National and the Colonial of New Zealand ; also LBco in the Standard, and E3OO in the National.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association,) The Suicide of Hon. H. K. Boer.

Auckland, Yesterday,

On CI ristmas Day the Hon. H. K. Boer, who was a passenger from Sydney by the Rotorua, committed suicide by shooting himself. He is said to belong to the Upper House of Parliament in Queensland. He was buried at sea. To-day.

Further particulars of the suicide of the Hon. H. R. Boer are to hand. He is said to be a member of the Queensland Parliament. It is stated he booked at Sydney, and it is believed he intended to make the tour of New Zealand. After leaving port, the weather was rough, and deceased was observed to be seasick. On Christmas night he went below, and had been there only a short time when the report of a gun was heard. The passen gers found him lying with his face bleed ing, and <in examination shewed that he had shot himself in the neck. His windpipe was torn by the sho 1 -,* and death must have been instantaneous. The gun was double-barelled and loaded with heavy slugs. A 3 the weather was hot it was thought advisable to inter the bod}', and it was consigned to the deep. The burial service w T as read by the Revds. Burrows and Ross. Crime- Auckland, To-day. At the Police Court, John Ashenden was committed for trial for stealing money from the person of Michael Sherdon, bushman. Henry Patrick Haydon, for threatening his wife with a pistol, was sentenced to six months. Foul Play. Some suspicion exists re the sale of Foul Play, the owner's name not being disclosed. The public fight shy of betting until they are guaranteed the horse will start for all engagements. An Elopement. A man named James Switzer, a farmer, has been arrested for wife desertion at Monganui, and ordered to be forwarded home. He ran away with the daughter of a farmer, and intended to take her to Melbourne. A Ship on Fire. The steamer Alert was partly burnt on the Waikato river, during the absence of the engineer. They Put it Off. At the Harbor Board a motion to make the body elective was postponed. Assistant Law Officer. Wellington, To-day It is understood that Mr. William Lewis, solicitor, of Wellington, has been offered by the Government, and has ac cepted, the appointment of Assistant Law officer under the Crown. Released from Quarantine. The ship Northumberland and her cabin passengers have been admitted to pratique. Further Remanded. Nelson, To-day. Mrs. Wymond and Alphonso Wymond, remanded from Christchurch on a charge of larceny of goods belonging to the estate of T. S. Wymond, draper, appeared before the Bench this morning, but the case was adjourned until to-morrow. Privileges. Dunedin, To-day. The Caledonian Society's privileges realised L 450, and were sold to one pur chaser. Volunteers for Nelson. The Clutha Rifle 3 intend sending a team of five men to the Nelson meeting. The Cromwell Races. At the Cromwell races the Grand Stand Handicap fell to Atlantic, with Unknown second, The Derby was won by Spectator, Jupiter being second ; and the Flying Handicap by Nautilus, Un known again finishing second. Sudden Death. A man, name unknown, was arrested by the police last night for drunkenness, and taken to the watchhouse, when he was found to be in a comatosestate. He was im mediately sent to the Hospital, where he died this morning.

THE TRAFFIC MANAGER IN COURT.

[dy telegraph.] (From our otot Correspondent.) Timaru, To-day. A private detective has been em ployed for some time past on the Christchurch-Timaru section of the railways, and the action of the depart ment has erected a general feeling of uneasiness and disgust among the railway operatives. This matter has culminated in a fracas between Mr. Back, the traffic manager, and Mr. Galbraith, station master at the Wash dyke, who, from information received, had been suspended on the ground of alleged irregularities in his books. Mr. Galbraith, who has been many years in the Railway employ, threatened to be the death of Mr. Back, and Mr. Back prosecuted him before the Bench to day. Mr. Galbraith pleaded that he had been subjected to the surveillance of Mr. Back's detectives. The informa tion was dismissed through an infor mality, but Mr. Back intimates that he will take fresh proceedings.

EXECUTION OF TUHI.

[by tblkoraph.] Wellington, To-day. Tuhi, the murderer of the late Miss Dobie, at Opunaki, was executed in the Wellington gaol at eight o'clock this morning. The condemned man walked firmly on to the scaffold, and was ac companied by the Ven. Archdeacon Stock. The drop was eight feet, and death was instantaneous.

ASHBURTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY

ANNUAL GATHERING. The following are the events that were completed yesterday after we went to press : Sailors' Hornpipe. This was an extra event, which was added to the programme on the ground. The only competitors were Murray,Fraser, and Mcßae. The prize was 30s. Dr. Stewart was the judge, and Murray the winner. Potting the Stone. The usual tedious contest took place in this event, and when it finished the result stood thus : H. Bailey, 31ft Din 1 John Casey, 31ft sJin 2 McAllister, 30ft 11 Jin ... 3 Finish of the Grand Handicap. The 400 yards' race completed the Grand Handicap Flat Races, and the following started : Raynor Hodder, 15 yards ; R. Lechner, 15 yards ; J. Groves, 10 yards ; C. Risely, 7 yards ; Bayliss, 15 yards ; D. Gilmour, 7 yards. R. Lechner... ... ... ... 1 J. Groves 2 C. Risely 3 Lechner jumped away with the lead, and was never caught. In coming round the last turn Groves and Risely tried all they knew to catch Lechner, but he wa3 too good for them, and came in a winner by six yards, the same distance being be tween the second and third men. The Grand Handicap being thus finished, the winners of the prizes are— Groves, 8 points, LG 1 R. Lechner, 6 points, L 3 ... 2 T. Organ, 3 points, LI 3 " Running Long Jump. Only two competitors entered for this event —-Murphy and Reeves. The former won the only prize given. Thkee-Leoged Race. For this event the following couples entered :—Murphy and Lawry ; Mores head and Risely ; Brown and Gilmour ; Feyfield and Muir. Risely's couple took the lead in this race, and were followed very closely by Brown's, in which order they finished, after a very good race. Moreshead and Risely ... ... 1 Brown and Gilmour ... ... 2 Boys' Vaulting with the Pole. There were six entries for the vaulting —J. R. Hart and E. Price, who baulked at Oft Gin ; Hay Smith, jun., who had to retire at 6ft. Bin ; Duncan Leitch, who reached his limit at Gft Oin ; leaving the contest between Reginald Hodder, 7ft ... ... 1 N. Price, Gft lOin 2 The winning lads vaulted remarkably well, and for their years their work was better than that clone by the men. Horizontal Bar. This is a new feature in the Caledonian Sports, and there were seven competitors who promised to compete. One or two of these were injured in the other competi tions, and were unable to contest the bar, while others were not sure of the up rights, which, by miscellaneous practice during the two days got worked somewhat out of position. The entries were there fore reduced to the brothers Hodder, who carried on a very equal contest, notwith standing the disparity in years, but the elder brother's strength told in the long run. The exercise on the bar was very good indeed, notwithstanding all disad vantages. Raynor Hodder ... ... ... 1 Reginald Hodder 2 Tilting at the Ring. A field of nineteen entered for the tilt ing, and nearly every local horse and horseman of note wc-e in the lists. The tournament lasted for a lengthened period, and when all had " handed in their cheques," the points stood thus : M. Digby ... 7 G. Kidd 6 Stevens ... ... ... ... 5 J. Smith 4 Hay Smith, jun. ... ... ... 3 J. Gaukrodger ... ... ... 3 H. Muir 2 The rest singles and ciphers. M. Digby and G. Kidd were therefore declared the winners. This event closed the day, which was, during the greater portion, wildly windy, and clouds of dust went over the ground at intervals altogether too frequent to be pleasant.

Upper Ashburton Road Board.

♦ The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held on Monday, the 27th instant. Present—Messrs. McLean (chair man), Sargent, and Poole. The monthly report was read, and Tenders were opened, and resulted as follows :—For Hinds cuttings, fords, &c.: D. Forbes, L 57 ; M. McAvey, L 67 9s. 6d; George Nclings, LGO ; C. Shepherd, L 63 ; W. Fraser, L(56 10s. 6d.; W. Fourneaux, L 67 10s. lid.; W. Sutherland, L7B. . Mr. D. Forbes' tender was accepted. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Steward of Educational Re serves, accepting the Board's offer of Ll 5 per acre for the land required for a road proposed to be taken through rural sec tion No. 1,122, from the Alford Forest road, joining Digby's Bridge road. The Clerk was directed to write to the tenant, Mi-. Mclntyre, asking him to appoint an independent assessor ; the Board to do the same, and in the event of their not agreeing as to compensation, to choose an umpire, Avhose decision would be final. Should Mr. Mclntyre not agree to this method of dealing with the question, the land to be taken under the "Public Works Act, 1876." From R. B. Jeff, asking that cuttings, etc., be done at South Hinds, leading to McLean's Swamp road. The Clerk said tenders had just been called for that and other works on the Hinds, and a tender accepted. From Mr. J. S. Bruce, re insurance Road Board property. From Ashburton County Council, en closing copy of correspondence between the Council and the general manager of the Now Zealand railways, relative to the present railway tarifF, and expressing a hope that the Board will join with the Council in the protest therein contained. The Clerk to reply, that the Board would be willing to join in the protest. From the Secretary to the Treasury, with information as to the payment of L 136 19s. 2d. into the Board's account, being subsidy of 7s. Gd. in the pound, payable on rates collected up to date. From Mr. J. C. Bell, re Valuation List. From Mr. George Nelings, ra contract stone picking. From Messrs. Fooka, re road at present being formed by the Board at the North west Town belt. The Clerk was directed to wait on the Borough Engineer and explain the matter. From' Messrs. Jameson and Roberts, re insurance of Road Board property. The Clerk mentioned that he had called on these gentlemen anent the same, but had since found that Mr. J. S. Bruce was still the agent for the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co., and that, as the Board still adhered to that office, the pro perty had been insured as heretofore. The Clerk was again directed to push tenants for arrears of rent, and, if need be, give the same into the hands of the collector, Mr. J. C. Bell. He was also instructed to write to tho successful ten derer for the Hinds cuttings to proceed at once witli the work. It was resolved to let no more work until after harvest.

- Accounts were then passed, and the Board adjourned.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

HARRY WHITNEY'S INFATUA TION. [continued.] Mis. Appleton, the rosy-cheeked matron, and Helen Alexander strolled out with parasol, shawl, and book, and in their search for a cool nook found Harry and Emily, he lying with his hat over his eyes and she reading Emerson, with long, dreamy pauses between the sentences.

" Have we appropriated the most inviting corner in the whole orchard ?" she said, looking up, as the two ap peared. " There is room for you, too, if you will come. My husband is doz ing and I am reading, so we shan't disturb you." Harry had thrown his hat from his eyes and rose quickly. " Certainly, be charitable and stay, if only to relieve us of the self-reproach of being selfish. Let me spread out your shawl, Miss Alexander."

The two accepted the invitation, and Helen arranged herself with an air of knowing quite well how to be com fortable and picturesque at the same time.

'•' What are you reading, please, Mrs. Whitney ?" she asked " Emerson ! Ah, I should know it. You have the thoughtful face which Emerson suits. As for me I like the sage of Concord none too well. I read him as an in tellectual exercise, but his philosophy is too cold."

"Yes, I quite agree with you," said Mrs. Appleton, who was all affection and sensibilities. "It makes one fell eerie and lonesome to read essays of ' Friendship ' and ' Love.' Doesn't he say he uses his friends as he does his books ? That he would have them at hand, but seldom needs them ? That seems too dreadful. What is life worth if not lived with the people we love? And surely the closer the companion ship the happier we are." " Ah, but I am afraid he is right there," said Miss Alexander. "It isn't safe to come near people ; you see all their little foibles with startling dis tinctness, and the romance wears away. Is it no so ?'' turning to Harry. " I can't say from an Emersonian point of view, because,, to tell the truth, I never read him. I like life itself too well to spend much time philosophizing over it, but from the standpoint of a very practical individual, I should say that a vast deal of common sense is needed in dealing with people. You can't expect romance to last, and the only thing to do is to accept others as being ordinary mortals like yourself, and make the best of them."

"Ah, but k\ takes the flavor away from life, and leaves an insipid taste in one's mouth, does it not Mrs. Whitney." Emily had been listening with a slightly amused smile. " I really cannot say. It may be for some, but for myself I think human nature sufficiently heroic. People seldom disappoint me, but it may be because I have low ideals."

" No, not that; but rather that you do not approach sufficiently near and see their inner selves. Some people, you know, touch hands and never come any nearer, while others are never satisfied till they have probed aIL the depth there is, and are forced to turn away, having found a limit. What fascination is there in a character after you have read it from a to z." " My dear, I think that is a sad thing to say," said Mrs. Appleton, soberly. "Do you mean that you tire of old friends and cast them off?'

" Not at all. I guard against it by not knowing any one too well, nor staking my hopes on any human being." Harry lay looking at her with an in terested stare, and his wife, with her head bending forward, listened eagerly. She was like no other woman they had ever met, and her words were a con tinual surprise. They sat there till the twilight shadows began to lengthen, reading and talking at intervals. " Isn't it strange ?" said Harry to his wife, after they had gone in. " There is an odd sort of charm about her. You can't analyze it; you only know it is there."

She assented, but with a new and sudden thrill of pain. She had never before wished to be brilliant herself. She was not a self-conscious woman, and her own quiet personality never troubled her ; but it stirred her moment arily that another woman should be charming to her husband by reason of qualities d'ametrically opposite to her own.

Harry went away the next morning, but came again during the week. By some magnetic attraction Helen Alex ander had become the centre of events at the springs. It was no new thing to her; she was accustomed to it, and took incense-burning as her right. With a strange interest Emily watched her husband becoming more and more fascinated.

It was not jealousy, because she be lieved in his love as fully as her own existence; but there arose a feeling of rebellion against herself that she could not be everything to him. There was a part of his nature which she had never satisfied. She could not blame Helen, who never went out of her way to please anyone, and in her cool carelessness lay half the charm. The whole matter was a problem to Emily, and she grew haggard over it day by day, which Harry did not notice until Mrs. Appleton said to him, " Your wife seems not to be benefitted by the springs. She looks pale and thinner than when she came." He started and looked at her as she sat wearily back in her chair, with a white shawl folded about her. " I'm afraid I have not noticed. She seemed so bright and cheerful, quite unlike herself," he said, hurriedly." " Do you think she is really ill ? " " Oh, no, perhaps not ill," said Mrs. Appleton, afraid of having innocently created a commotion. " Only she looks somewhat more delicate than usual. It is probably the very hot weather ; you know it affects us all." " I know; but how strange it is I didn't notice !" he went on, still troubled. " But the fact is, we have all been so happy this summer that I had forgotten anyone could be ill or tired." He crossed the room to his wife. " Emily, are you quite well ? " She looked up in a little surprise. " Yes, indeed. Why do you ask ? I

hope 1 haven't played the interesting invalid too successfully." " No ; but I saw just now for the first time that you had lost color. You are not discontented, and would not rather be at home than here?"

" Oh, no ! the place interests me ; I feel as if I was roused from a Rip Van Winkle sleep. I had forgotten that there were any people in the world but vou and me."

" Yes, we are fast becoming hermits. Do you not begin to see your books are are not the only things of value? That it is a great thing to live without thought or care ?—like her for in stance," as Miss Alexander came in with an armful of trailing vines and flowers, her usually pale cheeks stained pink by exercise, and the brown lights dancing in her eves. " See how fully alive she is !"

" Yes ; but she is a student, too," said his wife, trying to speak fairly. " Do you not notice how well she talks on subjects above the ordinary level?'' " Yes ; but it is half intuition. Light seems to flash in on her without her going very far to seek it. And, don't you see ? she dosn't care for books because she likes thought, but because they translate human nature." " Yes, I think it is so," said Emily, slowly, looking at him in surprise. " How closely you have studied her !" came into her mind, but she did not utter it.

The weeks went on and Harry came for his vacation.

His wife watched him with a re pressed eagerness and intense curiosity. He was unlike his old self, moody at times, and then animated by a fitful gaiety, but always influenced by Helen. His wife could see that he knew when the girl entered the room, whether he looked at her or not, that her singing and bright way swayed him against his will. That it troubled him and made him at war with himself was too evident. Yet both were silent ; she, because she would not confess there was anything to blame ; he, because he did not under stand himself; and both from pride, if he had been an unmarried man he would probably have made self-confes sion, "I am in love ;" as it was, he went no further than acknowledging " I am a fool."

One summer afternoon the three sat on the grass in the orchard. Mrs. Whitney had just finished a novel and closed it with a half sigh. " Why that sigli ?" said Helen. "It either expresses dissatisfaction or extreme pleasure, one can scarcely tell which."

" I believe it is the former. These modern novels put me quite out of patience, they are so shadowy, and made up of such delicate touches. The heroine analyzes her feelings until she is not quite sure whether she is in love or not, or with whom, and the hero lets conventionality and a thousand trivial circumstances separate them. I prefer the solid old romances, where people are constant through time and eternity."

It never occurred to her, until she had half finished, that such words might cut home, but, having spoken innocently, she had too much nerve and dignity to look self-conscious. " But, in point of fact, you know the modern idea is the true one," said Helen, carelessly. " Because to my thinking, there isn't any such thing as this changeless love, unless circum stances are kind and foster it continu ally. Let time or absence intervene between two people, and they are apt to let the past die and embrace the present." " Then there is nothing permanent in the world," cried Emily, almost passionately. " Are our friends only worth faith while it is easy to be true?" "No ; I shouldn't state it quite so broadly," said Helen, " only this I will say, never trust anyone too far. It isn't safe. Romance does very well as a phase in one's existence, but in point of fact it doesn't wear, if you use it every dav."

'" I cannot believe it," said Emily, in a low, pained tone. " Perhaps lam sentimental, but my ideas are real and living to me. If human nature is weak and unstable as you say, then every human being is absolutely alone and desolate in the world. When he clings to another it is but grasping a shadow which may vanish any instant." " You take it all too seriously. We look at things from such different points of view that what is true to me might be the greatest mistake for you. My temperament is the one which dabbles in sentiments and tastes, and then only long enough to take the first delicious, half impalpable flavor, because I know I could not be constant. Why, I could not really love a person if I tried—it would be impossible." Harry had not spoken before, and both women had forgotten his presence. Now he bent forward, and in a sup pressed lone the words broke forth — " My God ! do you mean that ? and you a woman !"

The two turned with a start and looked at him. " You must remember that all women are by no means alike," said Helen, coolly.

He rose, and strode off towards the woods.

His wife did not go down to tea, but awaited him in their room. She knew the crisis had come, and there was no longer need of silence. She knelt by the window, and fiercely resolved that her calmness should not give way, " What have I done that this should come to me ? I have always been so happy, and now I am desperate." In the evening he came in, haggard and worn, and threw himself down in a chair opposite her. " Well ?" he said, doggedly.

She could not answer; a harsh and burning sensation in her throat choked her, and they looked at each other in silence. Then he spoke again : " Emily, do you suppose I don't know what a brute I am ? There is no word too vile for me. My honor as a man has been nothing before a devilish passion for that woman. Why don't you say something—tell me what lam?"

" I have nothing to say," she-an swered, huskily; "I am not angry only sorry," and then her voice died away again. The calmness affected him as no reproaches could have done, and he groaned aloud. After a paus.e : " You will do me the justice to believe vhat I did not go into this willingly,'' he. said.. "I did not fight down my admiration for her at

first, because it seemed as innocent as to admire a picture. But lately I have fought against it, and it has conquered me. I wish never to see her igain, but I am not the less dishonorable and degraded."

" And what shall I do ! " said Emily, clearly, at last. " Harry, let us talk of it as if it concerned other people, and think what is best to be done If you do not love me better than any other woman, so that no other has power to sway you, I am your wife only in name."

Her calm justice, the strength with which she could put aside her feelings, staggered him. " It seems to me we must have been mistaken in our relations to each other or to the world," she went on. "I do not quite know how, but we have been awakened. Perhaps we did not know what love was. Perhaps—" Her voice failed suddenly, and he saw how weak she was.

" You cannot talk of it to-night, Emily, only one thing more—shall we leave here to-morrow ? " " Yes."

There were many regrets that they must go soon, and Miss Alexander especially expressed hers in the warmest possible manner. When they reached home, Emily's strength gave way, and a fever followed. The disease had been creep ing on, and the last excitement only hastened it.

Harry watched her in an agony of remorse and sorrow, but when she really grew better he could see she was changed. She shrank from him un consciously, and his presence s was a burden rather than a delight to her. It galled and humiliated him, because it seemed as if her respect for him had died a violent death. One day, coming home and finding her on the piazza, he said, " Emily, the frm are anxious to send me to Europe for six months to arrange matters there. Shall Igo ?" After a moment, " Perhaps it will be better," she said, quietly. "You do not trust me," he went on j " I cannot blame you, but it is not very easy to bear." " No; nor ifor me," she said as quietly as before. " Harry, I do not distrust you ; only we do not know each other. If we are ever to be any thing to each other again, it must be through a knowledge and clear judgment of our strength and weakness." He went, and through a determina tion not to return until he was welcome, the six months became a year. No lime of their lives had ever been worth so much to either. Emily, thoroughly aroused from her dreamy contefit, be came an active woman, interested in people and events, partly from a. womanly longing to be more attractive to him when he came, and Harry had grown more thoughtful. Finally, a letter came, which ended in this wise :

" I saw Miss Alexander last night. She was the same, dazzling and bright, with the charm which is so much more than beauty; but it all struck me as being a fine work of art. " Friary, this fatal yielding to impulse is over; and, like a man who has once been degraded by intoxication, I loathe my former weakness. I was weak from very thoughtlessness. You I have lived together like two never knowing half the possibilities of- each other's natures, or what we might together become. The better part of myself appeals to you alone. "The business here is ended; when I come home will it be to my wife or a desolate hearth : I know my life's com pletion lies in you. Shall I find it ? " " I think you are coming home to me," she said, softly, flushing like a young girl at her lover's step ; and she was right. He came, and they happily lived out their lives together, capable, as they had never been before, of mark ing out their destiny, and avoiding the pitfall of which they were once wholly ignorant. — Boston Transcfipt.

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880.



Special Advertisements. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. All CLAIMS on the Caledonion Society are requested to be sent in to the Secre tary before noon on MONDAY next. A MEETING of the DIRECTORS will be held in Quill's Hotel on MONDAY even ing, at 7.30. J. MacLEAN DUNN, Hon. Sec.



BEST V . FOR READY MONEY MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all oyer 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. Ashbueton Branch : EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, ft>l* Manager.



A GENERAL CHRISTIAN GATHERING ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, AT THE WESLEYAN CHURCH, CAMERON STREET, The following SPECIAL SERVICES will be held in the above Church on SATURDAY, January Ist, 1881. From 10.30 a-ra. to Vi o'clock—A public prayer meeting, Bible reading, and an address by Rev. A. J. Smith. From 2.30 to 4 o'clock p.m.—A Christian convention, including singing, prayer, and conversations on several papers bearing on experimental and practical piety which will then be read. Subjects : 1. " Revivals "—Mr. H. M. Carson. 2. " The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the Church" —Mr. Hodder. 3. ''Personalconsecration"—Mr. Jones. 4. "Praise"—Mr. Weeks. Each paper not to exceed 15 minutes. From 7 to 8.30 p.m.—A meeting for Christian fellowship and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The office bearers and Christian workers of the several churches in the town and neighborhood are most affectionately in vited to take an active part in all the Sankey's hymns will be used, and such Christian friends as can assist in the sing ing are cordially requested to meet for practice in the church on Friday evening at 7.30 p.m. N.B.—A WATCH NIGHT SERVICE will be held in the Wesleyan Churoh on FRIDAY EVENING, December 31st, at 10.30 p.m. 828



O. Garstens & Co. (Late Weston's), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, TOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrodj Twist, and Vanity Fair .Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haifcutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASBtBURTON. i WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE bogs to inform the # public,that he has taken the ibove Stable*' from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making 'extensive repairs. Buggies, and saddle horses on hire. ■Lowest prices and best attention. Holloway's Ointment akd Pills.— A Cure for Abscesses, Piles, Fistula, and Sores - The many satisfactory cures resulting from the use of this invaluable Ointment in cases where'p'atijents have been suffering from these complaints,' have 1 inducied.many medical practi tioners to introduce them into the hospitals and their private'practice; and in many instances where the sufferer was considered incurable, Holloway's Ointment, in conjunction with his Pills, i/lJ4a.led the. most desperate wounds. These medicaments are unequalled for the cure of scjpjiuk* ( and- diseases of the skin. In all ' cutaneous, affections incidental to children, fronrttfe-sunple'rcd gum to the complicated scorbutic disease, Holloway's Ointment exer- Cises a remarkably,beneficial influence, cooling " ' ,- " irritation, and .giving to the impatient Jittle sufferer.



Wanted. IT/" ANTED—A respectable GIRL, as VV General Servant. Apply, at the Office of this Paper. 822 WANTED— BOARD and LODGING in a private family. Apply, " K.," Office of this Paper. 825 ANTED KNOWN, That HENRY'S VI PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders 1 Buildings, East street, Ashburfcon, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 606 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 ANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies' Jour nal, and Bow Bells, la. 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,<fcc. A visit solicited. L. F. Andrewss, East sti-eet, near Lancaster's Butchery. 527 Meetings. *j OUNT SOMERS ROAD BOARD. The ANNUAL MEETING of Rate payers of the Mount Somers District will be held at the Schoolhouso, Mount Somers, at 12 noon on THURSDAY, January 6*, 1881, for the purpose of laying before the Ratepayers a statement of receipts and expenditure and the Balance Sheet for the past year. By order, C. J. WENTWOKTH COOKSON, Jon., 805 Surveyor to the Board. Tenders. WANTED TENDERS for PLOUGH ING 80 Acres of Tussock Land. Tenders to be sent in to the undersigned on or bev fore FRIDAY, 31st inst. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. • DONALD McLEAN, 826 Lagmhor. TENDERS WANTED for STOCKING <rina FORKING about 380 Acres (more or less), of Wheat and Oats, on. Marpnan Station; anij for 60'Acres (more or less), of Oats, about three miles dis tance off. Tenders: to be addressed to John R. Lifldle, Tinwald post-office, on or before Ist JANUARY. 812