SHIPPING.

•—■ STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. Fob Wellington — Penguin, This Day, Saturday, Feb. 14 Passengers by 7.20 p.m. train. To be followed by Wellington, Tues day, Feb. 17 th. For Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and Auckland —Penguin This Day, Satur day, February 14th. Passengers by 7.20 p.m. train. To be followed by Te Anau, on Thurs day, February 19th. Fob Port Chalmers —Wanaka, This Day, Saturday, February 14. Pas sengers by 12.10 p.m. train. To bo followed by Ringarooma, Tuesday, Feb. 17th. Fob Melbourne, via Bluff—Ringa rooma, on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Pas sengers by 4 p.m. train. To be followed by the Rotomahana, on Tuesday, February 24th. For Sydney —Tararua, Thursday, Feb. 2Cth. Fob Hobart Town Rinuarooma, Tues day, Feb. 17th. Foe Pioton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manueau Wellington, Tuesday, Feb. 17. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs. J' T. Ford and Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, the 12th inst., as follows : The harvest operations considerably interfered with the usual attendance at the Addington market on Wednesday, and the trade also was by no means well represented. The country butchers are mainly supplying themselves from their local districts, so that the biddings for fat stock were by no means brisk, and the sale generally heavy throughout. In cattle and sheep very few stores were sent forward, and we expect no large lines to come to hand for at least another three weeks or so. The demand for young merino sheep is fairly active, but except the culls of the vrrious flocks we know of very few offering. In cross-bred stores the market is fairly sup plied with two-tooth ewes and wethers, but until the stubbles are cleared very few of this class will change hands. In the course of another month we expect to see this class of stock in very active demand, as there must be a large number of ewes wanted for lambing purposes as well as for wintering on turnips. Speaking of the latter we hear from all parts of this pro vince that the crop is a very fair one, and large areas have been sown, and this fact, together with the enormous amount of stubble feed, should keep stores of all classes in active demand. We report no alteration in prices of beef or mutton, and quitted our lines on Wednesday for our various clients at pre vious weeks quotations. At our skin and rough fat sale to-day we had the usual attendance of buyers, and sheepskins brought from Is. 7d. to 2s. 3d. each; lambskins from Is. 9d. to 2s. Id.; rough fat at l|d. per lb., and hides at 3|d per lb. ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. t J

POST OFFICE NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; For Christchurch and North at 10.20 i a. m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chertsey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald Winslow, Hind-, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Gera’dine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Temuka. Timarn, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstrcct, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on 1 uesda3's and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterloo, and Longbcach. at 3.15 p.m. daily. For Wakanui and Seafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

All orders for insertion must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given, the advertise ment will bo inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Advertisements received after 10 o’clock each evening will be placed over the leader heading and charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

The Ashburton Guardian, COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1880.

One of the subjects brought under the notice of the County Council at its last meeting vaa the right of the County of Ashburton to have a voice in the deliberations of the Lyttelton Harbor Board. At present the latter body is constituted of ten members, who are all representatives or nominees of Lyttelton, Christchurch, or the County of Selwyn. Seeing that Ashburton will have this year well on to a million and a half bushels of wheat to ship from Lyttel ton, the move made by the County Coun cil is one which can hardly bo questioned when it is considered that the only ship ping port by which Ashburton grain can be exported is Port Lyttelton. And it becomes more necessary, now that we are satisfied that the harvest work is at pre sent so far advanced that we can no longer question the quantity of freight required for this County, and the consequent strain upon the capabilities of Lyttelton to com bat the struggle between receiving full and supplying empty trucks to up country stations. The berthage space at port is limited, and it will therefore he necessary for the Harbor Board and the railway de partment to hurry on the loading of ships as rapidly as possible, for if trucks are not quickly discharged in port there is nonuse in struggling to fill them up here. The accommodation for ships at the various wharves is equal to berthing 20 ocean going vessels, 20 of a smaller class, G in tercolonial steamers and about 30 coastal traders. Should everything bo kept on the move, and there is no reason why the work of transit and shipment should not be carried on quickly and effectually, tne grain of Canterbury should within three months be all on its way to Europe. It is therefore very desirable that Ashburton should be represented on the Harbor Board. But there is a point still to con sider. It is this—while the County has no voice in the deliberations of the controlling body, it has no say in fixing the wharf charges on grain, which now stand at 2s. a ton, while, as was pointed out by Mr. B. G. Wright, the charges at Port Chalmers are only Is. per ton. However desirable it may be to reduce these charges, it is not at all likely that they will he reduced unless the grain growing districts can bring pressure enough to bear on those having the power to levy them. This points to the necessity of the coun try districts being well represented at the Board, or at least represented with some show of equality, and a member or two sent from the Ashburton Council might have the effect of bringing about the de sired change of tariff, if it can be done with safety to the harbor revenue. A case of some importance was heard yesterday at the R. M. Court, which, although very trifling, so far as the amount sued for was concerned, is of great im portance to local bodies seeking to recover their rates by legal process. The Long beach Road Board, through their collector, -were plaintiffs, and the defendant was

sued for three shillings of rates due. The account attached to the summons was simply a demand for payment of rates due for 1879, without specifying the particular block of land upon which the said rate was owing, and the defendant took objec tion on the ground that the description was insufficient. The Court held the objection to bo a sound one, and gave judgment for defendant. Now, we are of opinion that this judgment was not in accordance with the spirit of the Rating Act of 1879, which provides for all contin gencies likely to arise with respect to the recovery of rates, and we do not recollect any case where, when an action was brought in proper form, a Road Board failed to recover. In the case under no tice, there is no doubt that, what between the Valuation Roll being to a certain ex tent defective, and the bill not being furnished to the defendant with full par ticulars of the case against him, the Board deserved to be mulcted for the costs in the action ; and if all ratepayers elect to defend their liability to pay rates on the same grounds as the defendant did yesterday, we imagine the revenues of the Boards will soon be reduced immensely from this cause. However, if collectors take ordinary care in the preparation of their plaints and set forth all the par ticulars of the demand, there can bo no doubt of their ability to recover the rates. The Rating Act of 1870, provides for the compilation of the Valuation Roll, which is publicly exhibited from January loth to February loth in each year, to give all the ratepayers an opportunity of objecting to any p rtion of it which may affect them —from having their properties rated at too high a value, or from having pro perties charged against them which they have parted with, or for any other cause —and their objections can be heard by the Assessment Court. But when once the Valuation Roll has been passed and signed by the judge of that Court, it be comes the roll of the year, and is unassail able. From this roll a rate-list is made out, and when compared and signed by three members of the Board, it becomes the record from which rate notices are made out, and upon which defaulting rate payers may bo sued. We think that, as the name of the defendant was on the Valuation Roll for the year, also on the rate book, and that notices had been ssrved on him, the Act had been suffi ciently complied with. It will, however, be a caution to collectors in suing for rates in the future, to give full particulars of all properties, and thus save the local bodies from the costly fgame of having cases given against them. The question of what the unemployed are to do during the winter of 1889 is one now being forcibly brought before our notice from the fact that at this moment, in the busiest part of the harvest season, there are still men about town who are out of work. That they have themselves to blame, in many instances, there cannot be be any doubt ; for it is nut to be expected, in these times, that the farmers will give the exorbitant ra J es of wages hitherto demanded at the busy season of the year. Laboring men have for years past been accustomed to make from £1 to £1 10s. a day for tying crops, and have looked upon those prices as the standard rate. They forget that times have altered, and that the fanner is now, comparatively speaking, independent of manual labor, and can afford to wait a little longer in harvesting his crops, now that the reaper and binder lias taken the place of human hands. We know of many instances of men who are the loudest in crying out about “no work,” who have refused fair wages, and prefer loafing about town because their extortionate demands have not been acceeded to. If they refuse to accept fair wages when work is open for them, we would ask them what they will expect when winter and really no work or pros pect of any is staring them in the face. It is hard to say where occupation is to be found for them, and wo anticipate that the West Coast goldfields, although wretchedly poor in comparison with what they were in the early days, yet afford employment and bread for those willing to work. Now that some of the Government water-races are giving plenty of employment, the coast will have to bo the refuge of those who are too idle or too independent to lay by a few pounds, when the few pounds are to be earned, against the rainy day which is sure to come when employment is difficult to obtain in the slack season of the year. W 7 e do not wish to croak ; but it is patent that, with all the Road Board and County Council funds spent, and no prospect of public expenditure in the district beyond the amount likely to be laid out in the construction of the exten sion of the Mount Somers railway, there is a very poor show for the numerous laboring men in this district during the coming winter. We would advise the laboring men not to stand too much upon the platform they have been wont to, but to accept what the gods send them, or in other words, what the fanners offer them, and they will be all the better satisfied with themselves in three months’ time. The wire binders have effectually put a stop to the monopoly of labor, and capital lias now assumed the whip hand, and, as an old farmer remarked the other day, regarding the hands—“ They have had their innings, and it is our turn now. ” It is surely to be regretted that the de mand for labor is greater than the supply, but it is equally to be regretted that when, ill such circumstances, wages like 80s. a week and all found, an ottered to men, the employer is laughed at. Av 7 c know several cases like this, and we arc afraid that the many men now “ waiting for the harvest ” will have to wait a long, long time until they get the wages that ruled before the birth of the binder.

The Employment of Females. —At the Oamaru Magistrate's Court yesterday, Daniel Toohey, draper, was fined L 5 for keeping his dressmakers at work after two o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. Hev. W. H. Wyatt. • —A small balance having coins to hand for the Wyatt testi monial fund, a pair of silver bracelets has been purchased with the same from Messrs. Coates and Co., of Christchurch, which arc very chaste. It is intended to forward the present to Mrs. Wyatt. Caution- to Owners of Dogs. —Mr. Bruce, of Wakanui, had his sheep worried by a strange dog early on the morning of Wednesday last, and on mustering ho found twenty-two short, which have not since been found. He had a lamb killed a few days since by another dog, and has discovered the owner. I. 0. G. T. Degree Temple. The monthly meeting of the Unity Degree Temple was the Templar Hall on Wednesday. The Temple was opened in tho Degree of Fidelity. Five new members were admitted. The bye-laws wore con sidered seriatim, and after discussion adopted. The D. fe. was instructed to communicate with the Bodges 10 affilia tion. Now that tho Temple is firmly cstablised it is hoped that tho support of all Degree members will be accorded to it. The next meeting will bo held on March 10th. The Dog Tax. —We notice the Borough Council have issued a manifesto regarding dog collars. We earnestly hope that a determined system of extermination will bo initiated and kept up to the bitter end against tlie sheep worrying, cat killing, hen roost robbing, yelping curs infesting tho township. It strikes us, however, that it might bo as well lor the Borough to consider whether they can take any action in the matter before those long-suffering byc-laws are finally disposed of, and arc made useful for combatting nuisances such as vagrant dogs, unreliable drains, and objectionable passengers in cabs.

Attempted Suicide by a Girl.— A girl sixteen years of age, named Annie Scafer, who came out as an immigrant on hoard the Edwin Fox, attempted to commit sui cide by j limping off the Government wharf at Nelson on Thursday. Her screams attracted the attention of Mr. Percy, who succeeded in rescuing her. She was charged at the Police Court, and remanded for a week. Wesleyan Conference. —The Pov. W. Keall delivered an address in the Wesleyan Church on Thursday relative to the doings of the late Conference at Dunedin. There was a very fair attendance, and from the remarks of the rev. gentleman, we should assume that our Wesleyan friends are quite satisfied with the progress which their cause is making throughout this colony. The Municipal Quarry. —Pedestrians who are in the habit of wearing thin boots, and equestrians who ride horses with tender feet, don’t compliment the engineering department on the state of East street at present. As the Council are shortly to receive a share of their subsidy, wo would respectfully point out that a few pounds spent in stone-napping, or in picking boulders off, would materially conduce to the comfort of people who use the main street of the township. Inquest. —An inquest was held at the Christchurch Hospital on Thursday after noon touching the death of William McMillan, who was recently admitted suffering from a wound in his throat, self inflicted. The jmy returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, that the deceased met his death from internal haemorrhage, accelerated by the injury to his throat. Costs of Court. —After hearing the cases at the It. M. Court yesterday, his Wor ship announced that he had determined to fix a scale of fees to be allowed to soli citors in civil cases, as no fixed rule had hitherto been adhered to. The rule for the future would be that the costs would be awarded pro rata on the amount of the judgment given and not the amount sued for, in the cases where plaintiffs were successful ; and on Hie amount sued for where defendants obtained a judgment. Illuminating the Borough. For some inscrutable reason the township has for a couple of evenings back been again blessed, after three months darkness, with the re-appearance of gas in the Borough lamps. It is very nice to have gas, but we don’t exactly sec the necessity for lighting up at 7 p.m. and allowing all the brilliancy of the gas to compare with the glorious hues of sunset. Let us have gas on dark nights by all means, but we don’t want it to compete with sunshine. Masonic. —A meeting was held on Thursday at Mr. Gundry’s office for the purpose of forming a united Masonic choir, to assist Lodges generally in the district, and to carry out their ceremonies more effectively. The musical director, organist, secretary, treasurer, and librarian were appointed, and rules made for the general working of the society. Opera Bouffe. —Lovers of good music will have an opportunity to-night of hearing some of the best operatic singers agoing. We are to have a visit from a company made up of real talent, the pro grammes showing the names of Mdlle Murielle (Mrs. Aikman Grey), a splendid soprano who made herself felt on her last appearance here with the Ogden troupe ; Mr. T. B. Browning, an excellent basso who was recently on the celebrated opera troupe of Martin Simonson ; Mr. Brothers, the tenor of the Biccardi company ; and Mr. T. B. Fisher the huff'o baritone, the musical director being Mr. W. A. Juncker. The bill of fare is sufficiently rich, and the company ought to command food patronage. Patti. —Amongst the passengers by the San Francisco mail steamer City of Now York, which arrived at Auckland on Tues day, was the famous songstress, Oarlotti Patti, of whom the following particulars are given in “Men of the Time’’: “ Patti, Carlotta, sister of Adelina Patti, was for some time the leading vocalist in the United States. Her voice is described as 'the highest soprano ever known,’ reaching to G sharp in alt. ; her powers of execution are considered extraordinary, and her style is essentially Italian. Owing to a physical disability, she has refrained from exhibiting her powers on the stage, but has achieved great success at concerts. In 1871 slits gave a series of concerts at Lima, in Peru. ” Sunday Trading. —On Thursday a fruiterer in Christchurch named Henry Marks was had up before the R.M. for exposing fruit for sale on the Ist and Bth inst., those days being Sundays. The case was brought under an Act of the reign of Charles 11, entitled “An Act for the better observation of the Lord’s Day, com monly called Sunday. ” It was admitted that fruit had been exposed for sale as libelled, but it was contended in defence that the Act did not apply to the circum stances of the colony, seeing that no statute could he in force whore no machin ery existed for carrying out its provisions. It was provided by this statute that the goods were liable to forfeiture, and the ex poser liable to be placed in the public stocks. There were no stocks in use in this colony, and they could only be estab lished by a “ Court Lecto,” an obsolete institution. The case was adjourned, and judgment reserved. Deaf and Dumb Institution. —ln com pliance with a request, anestablishmentof the above kind will be opened at Sumner on the Ist March, under the directorship of Mr. Van Asch, who was selected in England for the post by commissioners appointed for that purpose by the Govern ment. A circular, of which we have been sent a copy, has been issued from the Education Department, setting forth the objects of the institution, which briefly put are as follows : — l. To train young mutes to utter articulate sounds and to road spoken language from the lips of the teacher. 2. To employ this acquired power of speech as a means of instruction of the pupils. 3. To render effectual assistance to children who, from fever or oilier causes, have lost the sense of hear ing. It is intended to make arrangements for affording to the pupils opportunities of becoming acquainted with useful trades, &c. The charge for board, lodging, and education has been fixed at annum, but the parents, guardians, .’or friends of deaf mutes within the coloiay who are unable to pay tins sum arc re quested to communicate with the Minister for Education. Te Whiti. —ln reference to To Whiti and the labors of the Royal Commission, the “ Patea Mail" observes :—“To he lot alone is the only course of treatment an imposter has to fear, but if ho can secure enemies he can secure friends. Every thing that has ever succeeded is more in debted to its enemies than to its friends. So Tc Whiti owes his position among the Maoris to the notice that pakehas have taken of him, and when that notice is withdraivn his star will wane rapidly. But the danger lies with the Government and the Royal Commission. Will they continue to blow the fire that is burning their fingers 1 We would suggest that they adopt as a fundamental rule, ‘ We will have nothing to do with that man Te Whiti.’ If it were an inviolable rule to ignore all prophets and to treat only v ith sane men, the spirit of prophecy would die out. If the Maori people found that no favor could pass from the Government to them through Te Whiti, and that no re quest, complaint, or demand could pass from them to the Government through him, their beautiful and innocent faith would begin to ravel out at the ends some what, and authority would pass over from him to some less sacred, less expensive, less crafty, more.roasonablo savage. ”

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Ren in's.) London. Feb. 11. After considerable debating in the House of Commons, Mr. Redmond’s amendment on the Address censuring the Government for neglect in regard to the distress in Ireland, was negatived by 21G, against GG. "Latest intelligence from the Capo of Good Hope states that the House of Assembly lias been prorogued. The Colo nial Secretary announced that it is the intention of Government to introduce a scries of resolutions with a view to the confederation of the whole of the South African colonies. London, Feb. 12. The “Journal do St. Petersburg” con tradicts the statement that Persia has been rcaicascd from her treaty obligation to occupy Herat, and declares in positive terms that if Persia rejects the friendship of Russia for that of England she does so at her peril. The statement obtains cur rency that Russia will further increase the strength of her iiect in the Pacific. {/lye SAerial.) London, Feb. 11. Russ'a has reduced her navy by 12,000 men. Cremio, a French statesman, is dead. The “Post” states the Victorian elec tion is watched with anxiety. The same paper praises the Marquis of Nor man by. London, Feb. 12. The “Pall Mall Gazette” congratulates Australia oh the success of the Strathlcven experiment, which relieves England from dependence for food supplies upon foreign countries, but making additional competi tion for the English farmer s. The same journal has a eulogistic article on Duffy, whom it holds up as a pattern to his fellow countrymen. AUSTRALIAN. ( Reuters. ) Melbourne, Feb. 12. Mr. Berry addressed the electors of Stawell last night. In the course of his remarks he severely criticised Mr. Ser vice’s Reform Bill, which was ultimately accepted by the Council. Mr. Berry speaks again to-day at Ararat. Election addresses are becoming very numerous. (Special.) Melbourne, Feb. 12. The Deccan has arrived at the heads. PER, OUR SPECIAL WIRE, INTERPROYINCIAL. Auckland, Fob. 13. Sir George Grey, when invited to attend a Masonic ceremony at the Thames, said it was so long since he attended a Masonic Lodge lie had almost forgotten all about freemasonry. He also received an invitation from Tukukino to talk over the Thames difficulties, but Sir George advised him to meet the wishes of the Government. Mr. Gudgeon’s second volume on the ’.var, narrating the doings of the Imperial Forces, will shortly be issued. A letter received by Mr. John Lamb, a prominent temperance man here, from Mr. John Rac, of the English temperance league, says there is not much prospect of Mr. J. B. Gough coming to the antipodes, Ins health not being good ; but if he recovers, he will revisit England. The passengers by the British Empire organise themselves by the appointment of constables. They relievo the monotony of their lives by rabbit shooting, picnics, and games. Grahamstown, Feb. 13. Sir George Grey has been requested to call a meeting of the Auckland members of the House, and representations have been made by Messrs. Swanson, Hurst, and the other seccders to join the party again. There is a disposition not to receive them. The child of a native chief at Pai’awai, aged 3 years, was drowned while playing beside the creek. A native in a rude man ner tried to restore it, but failed. A t.mgi is now holding. The R.M. ruled in Court to-day that bakers suing for bread should state the weight and not the number of loaves. A man named Michael Sullivan was killed on Thursday in the kauri bush. lie was, with three more, crosscutting a log when, without warning, a kauri pine, growing on a steep hillside where the soil was broken and rocky, fell, killing Sullivan, who was on top of the log, in stantaneously. His mates lay under the log and escaped. Gisborne, Feb. 12. Mr. Clarke, who represents the Sydney capitalists, visited the oil spring in this district, and expressed himself much grati fied at die splendid indication of oil. After some days of difficult negotiations, satis factory arrangements have been made with all parties, and a company will be immediately formed with a largo capital to work tiie spring. This is the best thing that has happened for the district for a long time. New Plymouth, Fob. 13. The detachment of A.C. which arrived yesterday from Wellington loft this morn ing by the 7 o’clock train for the White Cliffs. The Harbor Board met this afternoon to consider some correspondence received from Mr. Rees, the Engineer, who was sent Home to consult fSir John Goode. Mr. Roes states that Sir J. Coode had adopted the modification suggested, and has prepared a concrete section. Ho stated lie had also received tenders for plant to the amount of LIB,OOO, which the Board gave him authority to accept. It was stated in town to-day by a party who was on the Plains yesterday, and saw the natives digging potatoes, that they were complaining of the men at the camp stealing thepotatocs, and tlntwas why they were digging them up before they were ripe. Hawera, Feb. 13. The telegraph wire was cut near the Mahi stream on the Waimato plains yes terday evening. The natives are engaged digging potatoes near the spot. Although it is reported the potatoes are not ripe, they commenced digging them yesterday, and are suspected of having cut the wire. Wellington, Feb. 13. Seven members of the Naval Brigade entered for the prize firing in Nelson. The Union Steam Ship Company carry members of the New Zealand Rifle Asso ciation from the various ports to Nelson and back at single fares. Tiie cup given by the company has arrived hero, and is being now engraved. The medals are being struck off' and will be ready for pre sentation at the meeting at Nelson.’ The ribbon, which is the reverse to that at tached to the New Zealand war medal, has been made by Mr. Grosnshield, of Auck land. The secretary reports that entries are coming in freely. J. P. Davis, charged with stealing a cash-box from the house of Win. Clydesdale was sentenced to six months’ imprison ment.

Louis Freclk. Clayton, Leonard Rose Jaggar, Alfred James Renner, and Ohas. Durbridge, have been dismissed from the Telegraph Department. James Lowrie, harbor master and pilot at Kaipara, has been dismissed from the public service. The police have laid informations against the proprietors of the following hotels :—Empire, Barrett’s, Star, Met;.ci politau, and Criterion, for breach of the provisions of the Employment of Females Act, by allowing barmaids to remain in the bar after 11 p. m. The prospectus of the Deaf and Dumb Institution established at Sumner, Christ

church, lias been issued. The charge for hoard, lodging, and education is fixed at LSO per annum ; but under necessitous circumstances, the Minister of Elucatiou ■ will arrange for payment of part of this amount from the public funds. _ _ i Several drapers have intimated their in- ; tention of keeping their shops npuiy until 9 p.m. The Early Closing Association protest against the movement, and are taking measures to prevent it- _ i At the Police Court to-day Captain . Dempsey, of the schooner Darcy Pratt, ; was summoned by the Collector of Cus toms for carrying seamen who wore not on the articles. Being a first offence he was fined 10s. and costs. Nelson. Fob. 13. A very handsome sword was presented to Major Pitt last night by the H. Battery of Artillery. The Bishop of Nelson, chaplain of the corps, made the presonla lion in a suitable speech, and there was a larvo attendance The new cable was joined last night, and the Kangaroo came on to Nelson, leaving again for Wellington at six tins morning. Christchurch, Feb. 13. Property is looking up a little, ami there, is more activity in the market than there has been for many months. The Now Zealand Shipping Company have published thou- first list of 20 iron clippers, with capacity for 33,000 tons, or a million and a quarter bushels of grain. Those are to sail in February, March, and April, and other vessels are to follow. The report of the Canterbury Sunday School Union, presented at the 13th annual meeting to-day, showed that the number of teachers was—Male, 495 ; female, 402, Scholars—Male, 4370 ; female, 4221. After the laying of the tramway was all hut complete it has boon found that the points used arc unsuitable, and the work lias to be done over again. The in convenience to the public by the obstruc tions in the street has been the cause of much annoyance, particularly as the spot chiefly affected is by the Bank of Now Zealand, the most crowded thoroughfare in the city. The railway employees are to ho docked of their pay for their picnic day, and they arc grumbling in consequence. The R.M. lias deferred the decision in the Sunday trading case to Monday. O amaru, Feh. 13. The Lincolnshire fanners’ delegates arrived at Oamaru this evening, and will make a tour of the district to morrow. The privilege of using the totalisator at the coming race meeting has been granted to Lyons and Hart for the sum of L2O. Dunedin, Feb. 13. J. Reid and A. Muir, laborers on the railway works, near Hindoo, were injured seriously yesterday by blasting powder. They had insortejj. a charge of powder into some rock, but the charge not going off, they endeavored to withdraw it, and whilst so engaged it exploded. Both men had their right arms fractured, were in jured in the face, and greatly scorched about the bands. They were forwarded to the hospital at Dunedin by rail this afternoon. The ship Wanganui cleared for London to-day, with a cargo valued at L 103,904, including 5035 hales wool and skins, 350 sacks wheat, 72 casks tallow, 38 casks oil, and 42 bales leather. ■ The ship Auckland cleared for London with a cargo valued atLlll,lß9, including ; 5240 bales of wool. Some Chinese working at Macetown ha re obtained pots weighing 51bs. of 1 gold. Water is very scarce in the Cromwell district, and mining is almost at a stand still. A boy aged 10 has been received in gaol to ensure his attendance at next criminal session. The “ Star” calls on the justices to enquire into the matter, and see if other means cannot be devised for ensuring his presence without keeping him a prisoner a couple of months. Nearly L17,G00 has been collected in Dunedin for racing sweeps. Invercargill, Feb. 13. Arthur Skctchley’s (Mrs. Brown) two entertainments here, were a great I success. He was intensely amusing. The Secretary to the Bluff Harbor Board, in a letter to the morning papers says, regarding Mr. Livingstone, the Pro vincial Auditor, who recently reported on ids accounts, that Mr. Livingstone cither cannot write the Queen’s English or he is an awful perverter of the truth. He com pares Mr. Livingstone unfavorably, with Mr. M’Culloch, the local auditor, and Mr. Ollivier, the Canterbury auditor. A scarcity of water, consequent on the long continued dry weather, is severely felt.

THE LATEST.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. [Renter's ) London, Feb. 12. Persia proposes that a Commission be appointed to define the north-eastern boundaries of her territories. In the meantime she states that it is her intention to occupy the Afghanistan province of Sustan, and eventually Herat. It is also generally believed that Great Britain has assented to this arrangement. (Argus S/vriat. ) London, February 12. The Flying Squadron loaves England in April or May, and will probably visit Australia. Earl Clan William is command ing. It will include the Bacchante, but it is uncertain if the Princes will remain in her. The Chimborazo, after undergoing re pairs, sails on Monday 7 . (Age Special.) London, Fob. 12. There is a report. that by treaty Persia takes Herat, and assists England against the Afghans, and that a railway will be made to Teheran from the Persian Gulf. AUSTRALIAN. ( Renter s 7 etegrams.) Melboubn!!, Feb. 13. Mr. Service addressed the electors of Maldon yesterday, and replied at length to Mr. Bony’s speech at Geelong. Mr. Francis made a political speech at Warnambool, in which he condemned the Ministerial scheme foreshadowed by Mr. Berry. Both gentlemen received unani mous votes of confidence. Sydney, Feb. 13. Lllß was subscribed for yesterday in aid of the sufferers by the late cyclone at New Caledonia. In the contest between threshing macliines held at Orange, Robey’s was awarded first prize. Arrived—Hero and Wakatipn. Sailed—-Rotomaha na { yesterday.

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Wellington telegrams of Thursday’s dale say - The Government have received no news of any importance regarding native affairs. The Royal Commission has been formally opened at Haivera. Another camp, in advance of Iho former one, has been selected for the Armed Con stabulary on the Yvannate Plains. Tno site of the new camp is on the banks of Kaui'iohoiuil liver,about nine mi.esbeyond the Waiugororo and fourteen miles from Hawcra. °The locality is described as a most suitable one for the object in view, being excellently adapted for campaign purposes. The Constabulary continue in good health, and arc making capital pro gress v ith the road formation. There is a strong body -if men now available to make a beginning from the Stouey river end as soon as this shall he uccmed ad\ is able. Private nows from Panhaka points entirely to a peaceful result of Tito Kowaru’s visit to Te Whit!, it being reported that tie latter has reiterated his orders that nobody shall interfere between the Government and himself, and that he has dec’ared his perfect alrlity, whenever he shall think tit, to settle the whole ques tion favorably to his’views by supernatural powers. From Wanganui the following has boon received, also dated Thursday : It is reported in town that Mr. Barkley, a Government surveyor engaged on the Pukototara block, has been turned off by a party of armed natives. The land in question is up the Wanganui river. The natives, it is said, took possession of the survey camp, and insisted upon the sur veyors leaving. Another report reached town by the mail carrier between Fordell and Murumotu that shots have been ex changed between hostile natives at Muru motu, and that pahs have been formed. It was not known if anyone was injured.

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE JOTTINGS.

■ -o- [COMMIJV ICATHI). ] The seventh annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in this colony has just terminated. Though some doubted the propriety of holding it in the City of Dunedin, for the simple reason that the Otago Methodist friends were considered scarcely equal to the effort of providing for such a gathering, it has surely been a success. The ministerial Conference commenced on Jan. 21st, and sat for five days, and the mixed Conference for the six follow ing. There were present 25 ministers in fail connexion (including Mr. Berry, lately returned from England, and Mr. Turner, from the Victorian Conference), and seven probationers. There were five candidates for the ministry present also, all of whom were received either as students or pro bationers. The opening address of the Lev. W. Morlcy was of a congratulatory , character, expressing assurance that such an assembly would bo a blessing to the churches around the district, and thank fulness that, in face of a twelemonth’s I serious financial depression, the various funds of the church had been well sus tained. The new President was the Rev. l W. Lee, of Wanganui, and he had for his r Secretary the Rev, W. Morley, who is now an ex-President. The various Com- L mittecs which were formed at the cora ; mencemenfc of the session greatly facili tated business, so that bj' Monday, Jan. [ 2Gtb, the purely ministerial work of the Conference was got through, except the most difficult business of stationing, which was left to a later period. Two ministers’ deaths were reported, one of a , Native, and the other of a European. The probationers all passed in three of whom completed "tliat*r ,ng period, and became eligible for ordination to the full work of the ministry. Though , there were many applications from minis ters in England, Ireland, and Australia for a place in the New Zealand Wesleyan , Methodist ministry, the Conference was . not in a position to accept any. Those who have lately arrived in the colony—of . whom the Rev. E. Best is one—were cor . diai’y received. On Tuesday, January 27th, the mixed , Conference sat. Only 21 laymen were . able to be present. The business to he , considered was connected with dividing circuits which had become too large ; , forming now ones ; making provision for ministers married, orabmit to be granting ; permission for the sale of certain pro , perties ; taking note of what property • had been acquired during the past year ; examining the state of the allairs of the Book Depot in Christchurch, and of the “New Zealand Wesleyan auditing the various comicxional; funds Contingent, the Supernumerary, Childrens’, Home and Foreign Mission Funds; enquiring into the working of the Thelogical Insti tution and the success of the students ; Sunday school affairs'; manipulating the statistical returns ; passing sundry recom mendations for the General Conference ; receiving deputations ; &c. Several meetings were held on the 1 evenings of the Conference sittings, chief i of which were an ordination service, a ; Conference love feast, a conversazione, a temperance convention, and a Home Mission meeting. In addition to these there were several soirees got up in the adjoining towns. The Conference of ISSI is to be held in Nelson as near to the 20th of January as possible. The enterprising linn of Burton Bros, are preparing a group of all the members of the Conference, as a memento, which will shortly be ready fm- sale. The kind ness of the authorities of the Dunedin Athenreum was much appreciated.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON — Friday, Fob. 13. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Henry Lake was fined 20s. or 48 hours’ imprisonment for being drunk and dis orderly. John Broad admitted the same offence, and was fined 10s. and costs. James Robinson, charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, pleaded guilty to the first por tion of the charge, but was not aware of having used bad language. Sergeant Pratt proved the offence. Robinson was then charged with obstructing the police, and"the former witness said that after taking prisoner in charge, he was violent and struck witness, and assistance had to be obtained to convey prisoner to the lock-up. Constable Maroncy deponed that prisoner was very violent, and used very bad language. For being drunk Robin son was fined 20a. ; for using obscene lan guage be would have to pay 40s. ; and for obstructing the police, he would be sent to gaol for one month, as this offence was a serious one and must be put a stop to. Charles James Holmes, drunk and dis orderly, admitted the offence, but pleaded not having seen a pub for six months. He was fined 10s. • CIVIL CASES. Tisch v. Hussey. —Mr. O’Reilly for de fendant. No appearance for plaintiff. Mr. O’Reilly applied for costs. Mr. Tiscb appeared before the costs were made up, and the case was reinstated and ordered to stand over. Longbeach Road Board v. M'Quilkin. —Claim L 7 10s. 2d. The amount was paid into Court. Tisch v. Hussey.—Claim Ll 5. Plain tiff deponed the debt was for services of the horse Sir William Wallace, and plain tiff had bought the debts of the owner of

the horse, and the sale note was in the court. The agreement was produced, and Mr. O’Reilly objected to it as being value less. The Conveyancing Act was quoted, showing that all such sales should be made by a deed. The plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs L 4 4s. Longbeach Road Board v. W. White. Claim 35., for rates due. Mr. for defendant, took an objection tenure particulars, which were not specified suffi ciently, the summons describing the par ticulars as being contained in another document. Mr. Outhbert, collector for the Board, said that similar cases were frequently before the Christchurch Court, and judgment was invariably given for the local bodies. The said that probably such a contentiSWmd not been raised there, and it was only proper that a ratepayer should know for what he was paying. Judgment was for defendant, with costs. THE GARDINER HORSE CASE. James Gardiner was charged on three informations with larceny of three horses, the property of Michael Higgins. Ser geant Pratt said the police knew nothing of the case beyond the informations, and would ask for a remand. Mr. O’Reilly appeared for the accused. The Sergeant said accused was only arrested that morning,and hewoufdaskfor a remand till Saturday. _ Mr. O’Reilly applied for bail, as it was known that no case existed against prisoner. Mr. Hugo Friedlander said the horses belonged to him, and he would give security for the production of the horses if required. His Worship granted Mr. Friedlander’s application for the custody. Bail was allowed for Mr. Gardiner, him self in WOO, and two sureties of LIOO. The Court then adjourned. RAK AIA. — Thursday, Feb. 12. (Before Mr. F. Guinness, E.M.) WINDOW SMASHING. Hartnell v. Barnard.—Mr. Purnell for defendant. Defendant was charged with malicious injury to property at Chcrtsej'-. Benjamin White sworn—Was manager at Chertsey for Mr. Hartnell, of Eakaia. Was not sure whether the occurrence took place on Christmas eve or New Year’s eve. Saw defendant throw a stone through the window of Mr. Hartnell’s bakehouse at Chertsey. Saw him throw another stone. Ho broke the window each time he threw. I followed defendant to his door. I asked him whether he knew that he had broken the window. He turned and struck me several times. I lodged information with the police during the day. By Mr. Purnell —There are two windows in the bakehouse —one above, and tlie other below. It was the lower one that the defendant broke. The sash was closed. The window is above the bench some two or three feet. Several men were standing outside. Defendant was among them. Could not recognise the others. I never had words with defendant before. I was not trying to force open defendant’s door when he struck i me. Frances White, sworn, said—l am wife « of last witness. Saw defendant throw i stones at the window of the bakehouse ■ and break the glass. Saw him run away. My husband followed him. By the Bench—l was standing just be i hind my husband. The window was dirty, but I could see through it. It was day • light. _ - y By Mr. Purnell—The window is directly " opposite the door where I was standing, i I got up through hearing the noise out i side. Noticed the time by the clock, it was 4 a. m. Alexander Capill, sworn I live at . Chertsey. Mr. Purnell here asked his Worship to caution witness not to any ques tions which may criininate^Rmself. His Worship said that after hearing the evidence which bad been given, he would dismiss the case as it stood, and instruct . the police to lay an information, as it appeared that there had been most dis i. orderly conduct going on at Chertsey at i the time in question. ‘ ILLEGAL “CROSSING.” Police v. Edward Lake. Accused pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving five horses across the railway line at ! Rakaia. i After hearing evidence, the case was dismissed. _ A ROW ABOUT AN"BP&. Ready v. O’Keefe.—Mr. for ; plaintiff, Mr. Purnell for defendant. This was a case of alleged assault. It appeared r that plaintiffs hen laid an egg in the fence ; dividing both parties’ garden, and both s parties claimed the egg. Mary Ready s obtained possession of the egg, and Mrs. i O’Keeffe endeavored to recover it. Ready caught hold of O’Keefe’s hair, and i O’Keefe bit Ready’s hand—hence the action. There was a cross-action brought • by O’Keefe against Ready for assault. As the evidence, was the same in both cases, 1 his Worship gave judgment on both, censuring all the parties. He was shocked ; to hear that girls of the age and size of two of the witnesses should be able to make use of such language as was im : puted to them, and he was just as much , shocked to hear a woman stand up in the i court and repeat the expressions. Both ! parties would be bound over to keep the i peace for six months, each to find sureties : of L2O. CIVIL CASES. W. Doherty v. J. Andrews.—Claim, L 7 14s. 4d. Judgment for amount claimed cirxcl costs. W. Hartnell v. Johnson.—Claim, L 23 Gs. lid. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Stephens v. Welsh. Case adjourned on application of defendant’s solicitor. Wauchop and Cameron v. A. Mason.— Plaintiff nonsuited with costs. W. Doherty v. A. Withel.—Claim, L 3 2s. 3d. J udgment for plaintiff with costs. A SCHOOL BILL. P. Laurie v. W. Byrne.—Mr. Ireland for plaintiff; Mr. Purnell for defendant. Plaintiff sued defendant for the value of timber and wire used in a contract for repairs to fences and gates for the South Rakaia School Committee. John Mann, called, said he was chair man of the South Rakaia School Com mittee for the year 1878. Defendant , tendered for the work to be done. His tender was accepted. Did not remember whether the tender was for labor only or for labor and material. T. A. Winter, sworn, said he was * secretary to the Committee some part of that year. Thought that a written tender was sent in. J. N. Sharp, sworn, said he was a member of the Committee for 1878. Messrs. Winter, Mann, and himself Avere a sub-Committec to see the Avork carried out. Never saAV any written tender. Believed the tender of Byrne was for labor and raai erial. Thought the amount of the tender AA r as sufficient to cover both and leave a good profit. By Mr. Purnell—The reason Avhy Laurie’s bill Avas not paid Avas because the Committee Avas not liable. Never sanc tioned Byrne’s ordering goods on account of the Committee. Am in the same busi ness as Byrne. Am not the moving spirit in the refusal of the Committee to pay Laurie’s bill. Wm. Byrne, sworn, said—l tractor. I put in a Avritten Avork to be done for the South Rakaia School Committee in 1878. It was for making and repairing gates, and repairs to fences. My tender was distinctly marked for labor only. Did not keep a copy of my tender. I asked Mr. Winter where I should get the stuff. He said go to LaurieV. I had never had goods from Laurie before. I always deal at Montgomery and Go’s, I asked Mr. Winter Avhether X

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1880.



s , d. s . d. Butter, inferior to best R> I O to 0 6 Egcs, F dozen I 4 to I 6 Cheese, prime quality, F lb 0 8 to I 0 [’aeon, prime smoked, F lb 0 10 to I 0 Hams in cloth, F lb I 0 to I 4 Flour in baqs, F loolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal. F 25th 6 0 to 0 0 Lard, F lb - O 9 to 0 0



NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, HAVE opened those premises situated in Tancred street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Cotter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Ox’s.) CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a J. P. PARKER, ATCHMAKER. First house past Doctor Rosa’s and next door to Catholic Church. Burnett street N.B.—Wedding rings made to order. 50Sg NOTICE. W E have to request a prompt settle ment of a Large number of over due and long standing accounts, otherwise legal proceedings will be taken to recover same. WEEKS & DIXON. “ Herald and Guardian ” office, Feb. 10th, 1880. LABOR MARKET. REGISTRY OFFICE FOR MASTERS AND SERVANTS, AT THE ‘ EVENING HERALD ” OFFICE. EARMERS REQUIRING HANDS can engage men through the “ Evening Herald ” Registry for 1/- each, prepaid. LABORERS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can engage through the “ Herald ” Registiy Office by paying 1/-. SERVANTS REQUIRING SITUA TIONS can get them by applying at the “Herald” Registry Office, and paying 1/-. ENGAGEMENTS will be POSTED UP every day at 12 noon and 4 p.m., by numbers given to the applicants, who 11111 learn the address on enquiring. SPECIAL or URGENT WANTS will be inserted in the “ Evening Herald ” m the registry column on payment of Six- additional in advance, for each •' issue. Further Particulars on application at the “EVENING HERALD” REGISTRY OFFICE. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, EAST ST., ASHBURTON. TITANTED, those in search of employ- W ment, to call and either enter their names at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is. LABOURERS requiring work can secure first opening by applying early at Herald Registry Office, on pay ment of Is.



WHEAT FREIGHT TO THE UNITED KIN3DOM. THE undersigned, having completed their charters for the ensuing grain season, will regularly despatch first class iron ships to various ports in the United Kingdom. Several other equally high class iron vessels are also chartered, and will follow. For freight, apply to P. CUNNINGHAM & CO. ; Or to ROY SB, STEAD, & CO., 4S3g* Christchurch. ENGLISH WHEAT SHIPMENTS. THE Undersigned are prepared to ship wheat to London or any other Port in the United Kingdom for farmers or others, making liberal CASH ADVANCES against same on favorable terms. placing their Wheat iip our hands for shipment can relv upon receiving PROMPT ACCOUNT SALES. Intending shippers wishing to avail themselves of the present opportunity of testing the London and other English wheat markets, are recommended to make IMMEDIATE APPLICATION for space. ROYSE, STEAD, <fc CO., 489g* Christchurch. MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at ASHBURTON YARDS, on TUESDAY, February 17th, 18S0. C. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton.



A Skunk. —At the Nelson District Court on Thursday Geo. Sayers, over seer in the Public Works-Department, a bankrupt, applied foi his discharge. His total liibilities wore put down at 158 and his assets at L 42, his principal creditors being Mrs. Sayers and Mrs. George, his wife and daughter, who had obtained an order for maintenance. It appeared that just after filing, a cheque for LIG, his salary from Government, became payable to Sayers, and the trustee eventually was given possession of this cheque. Mr. Bunny, for Mrs. George, opposed the bankrupt's discharge, on the ground that he was not insolvent, and he argued that bankrupt fded merely to avoid mainten ance of bis wife and daughter. The Judge refused the order of d ; scharge absolutely, allowing the opposing creditors costs.