SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Amaranth, schooner, from Manukau. Aratapu, brigantine, from Kaipara. Elizabeth Curie, schooner, fromPicton. Examiner, barque, from Greymouth. To-day. Tui,>.s., from Wellington. SSfS Sailed. Yesterday. Dunedin, schooner, for Invercargill. Ocean Bird, ketch, for Kaiapoi. Elibank Castle, -schooner, for. Oamaru. : SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. ~.v Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived Southern Cross, mission schooner, from Norfolk Island. Sailed —Albion,. for Levuka ; Hawea, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Kivyi, from Napier and Castle Point'/ : Sailed—Kennedy, for Nelson. Akakoa, Yesterday. The Fleetwing has arrived, after a stormy passage. Slid carried away her main rigging and bobstay coming up the harbor. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. ■ Sailed-—Avoid, brigantine, for Capo Town : Zephyr, brigantine, for Hokitika ; Oreti, s.s., for the North.. Melbourne, Y estorday. Sailed—Rotomahana, s. s., for the Bluff, London, Dec. 13. Arrived Chile, from Auckland ; Candida,' from Lytteltonf ~

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close ab tlio Chief : Post Office, Christchurcii,. for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— Thursday, Dec. 16. For Akaroa, per Wanaka, at 7.30 a. m. ; guard’s, van must not be used for this mail. For Northern ports, per Ringarooraa, at 1.50 p.m. ; late fee letters, 2.10 p.m. ; guard’s van, 2.40 p.m. train. Friday, December 31. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, &c., as under Money orders and registered letters, at 5' p.m.; books and newspapers, at 9 p.m.; ordinary letters, at 10 p.m. A supplementary .mail will be closed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January, 1, 1881. Late fee letters may be posted in the guard’s van attached to the 8.30 p.m. train on Saturday, January 1.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows :

For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.in., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohert'sey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a, m. and 5' p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tiiiwald, Winslow, Hinds, ■Oaldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at G a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a. m. , and 4.20 p. m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 6 a.ni.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — . .. From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.'iri., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin- and- intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. Fr»m Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Grefensfireet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers,. and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m.' daily. From Wakanui, Elgin, and Seafield on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2.30 p. m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

, - .AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, December 21. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Sheep and Cattle. Tuesday, January 4. Quill and Co., Monthly Sale, Mount Somers. MEETINGS; AMUSEMENTS, Ac. .•T A • [Pq.Kjght, Wednesday, December 15. Fire Brigade meet for.practice, G p.m. “ Ghispa’s” .Procession,.6.ls p.m. Friday, December 17. Ashburton F-ire Police, Meeting of Mem bers, Shearman’s Hotel, 3 p. ni.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ- CHUBCH'and intermediate stations at G a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. ... Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.3 G a.in. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru.

Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4.35 p. m., and 7.50 p. m. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), arid 8.15 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [ lssued at 5 p.m .] The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1880.

The Christchurch Mayoralitiv —Mr James Gapes was formally installed Mayor of Christchurch at noon to-day. Fire Police. —The captain of the Fire Police calls a meeting in Shearman’s Hotel for Friday next, at 3 p. m.

-Rakaia Sports. —The South Rakaia sports have been fixed for Boxing Day, and give every promise of being suc cessful. A dance in the Town Hall will finish the day. The Labor Market. —As an evidence that the‘demand for skilled labor in Ash burton is not yet equal to the supply, we understand that in response to an adver tisement in Saturday’s Guardian, Messrs. Dunn and Ray had applications from twenty-two carpenters who were eager for the job. Cricket.— A match is to be played on the Domain to-morrow between the second eleven of the Ashburton Club and a team selected from the Borough players. The following will represent the latter club : Messrs. Andre wes, Davis, McDonald, Hosking, Laurence, J. Hard- Icy, Johnson, Leitch, Hopkins, Beaumont, and Mayo ; emergencies : —D. Leitch and Dee.

Printer and Editor. —An interesting lawsuit is likely to come before the Auck land Court. Mr. Douglas M'Tavish sues Mr. Ivess, proprietor of the Cambridge Mail, for L3OO damages for alleged wrong ful dismissal from the editorial chair of that journal. Mr. Ivess calls in question the capabilities of the ex-South African and Indian journalist. More Entertainments. —It looks as if during the holiday season we were to have quite an embarras de riches in the shape of entertainments. Professor and Madame Haselmayer have announced their inten tion of giving one of their clever exposi tions of mysteries at the Town Hall on the 22nd instant. The Professor was in New Zealand some few years ago, and showed himself to be a very clever pre*ti digatcar, and then fairly puzzled his audiences by his sleight-of-hand tricks, and the almost supernatural answers given by his goblin drum. Since then he ap pears to have visited Homo, taken to himself a wife, and brought out a lot of novelties. He is a very entertaining lecturer, and wo have no doubt but he will draw a big house. A lot of perform ing birds form a part of the show, which ought to prove a great attraction to the juveniles. Ashburton School Treat. —The an nual school treat will be held to-morrow in a paddock kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee by Messrs. Saunders’ Brothers. The children will meet at the school, and then march down, and we arc informed the Ashburton Band have volun teered to play them there. Piper Elder has also promised to lend his aid. Ample provision has been made to regale the children during the day, bat they must all provide their own mugs or cups, as the Committee cannot undertake to find cups as well as tea for them. The supplies of toys which have been specially obtained from Dunedin —are fully up, both in quality and quantity to any previously provided at any treat, and from the num ber and variety, every child should bo able to receive something. Amongst other toys too numerous to describe, a most beautiful doll has been obtained, but this being much too good to be given to any one child for the sports suitable at the treat, the Committee have decided to give it to the “ luckiest girl in the school,” for the small sum of sixpence, and to de cide who is the luckiest girl, it is to be disposed of by art union, at the school concert— one hundred members at six pence each. Messrs. Orr and Co. have kindly undertaken to dress the doll, and it is now on view in their shop window, so that the parents of the children may see it. The girls wishing to have a chance in the art union are to give in their names with their sixpence to the master or mis tress of their room in the school. As there arc so many small children, contri butions of milk are asked from any of our farmers who may be able to spare any, and it will bo gladly received on the nroUnd by the Committee. Of course the parents and friends of the children are in vited, and it is hoped they will give their countenance to the treat both as a matter of encouragement and to a;d the teachers. Elgin School Committee.— -This Com mittee held a meeting on Friday evening last. Present—Messrs. J. Stanley Bruce (chairman), P. limes, T. Greenaway, J. Keir, and S. Scott. Mb Heir proposed and Mr. S. Scott seconded—" That Mr. P. Junes see Mr. William Town shunt] and ask him whether he will act as auditor to the committee.” Carried. Mr. P. Lines proposed, and Mb T. Greenaway se conded “ That the schoolmaster have permission to extend the garden not ex ceeding one chain. Carried. Mr* ■T. Greenaway proposed, and Mr. P. Innes seconded—“ That the 27th and 28th mst. and New Year’s Day, be given as holidays. Carried. Proposed by Mr. T, Greenaway and seconded by Mr. J. Keir—That the accounts before the committee, amounting to Ll 9 6k 2d., be passed for payment.” Carried. The Committee agreed to canvas the district for subscriptions towards giving the school children a ; treat about the commencement of the year, and the meeting adjourned.

Wesleyan Anniversary Tea Meeting. —Last night the Wesleyiin anniversary was celebrated by a tea meeting in the church, at which there was a very fair attendance,’ in spite of counter attractions in the town. Tea was dispensed by the following ladies.; Mesdames Hocldor, Weeks, G. W. Andrews, Wake, Orr, Pot ter, and Ling, and the Misses Causey (2), Andrews (2), Joftes, Stewart, and Carson. A public ineeting was held after the tea, at which the church was crowded._ Ad dresses were delivered by the chairman (Mr. John Orr), and by the Revs. Smalley, Keall, Beattie and Smith ; by Mr. Donald, a gentleman recently from Edinburgh, whose broad Scotch dialect and humorous anecdotes were very effective ; and by Messrs. Buchanan and|Collins. There was a strong choir, under Mr. Weeks, who sang several anthems in unusually good style. Altogether the meeting was a very spirited one, showing that the Wesleyans have in no way been discouraged by the recent hard times, but have rather taken fresh heart, and are going on in their work with renewed vigor. The usual votes of thanks were given at the close. “The Lady of Lyons.”— Last night the Amateur Dramatic Company achieved the greatest success in the Club’s history by their representation of “ The Lady of Lyons.” The piece was given for the benefit of Mrs. Thompson (Lizzie Lizotto), and we are glad to learn that she will secure a handsome surplusage, thanks to the many friends of the lady who crowded the benches. Mrs. Thompson took the part of Pauline, and delineated the cha racter most admirably, being received with loud applause at every. appearance. The part, as is well known, is no light one but she supported it well throughout, and kept the attention and interest of the audi ence to the end. Claude Melnotte was essayed by Mr. Jacobson, and in paying him a high tribute for his pourtrayal of the the character we are guilty of no.undue flattery, for he rendered the difficult pass ages in the several scenes with Pauline in a manner that the most fastiduous cold scarcely have cavilled at. Widow Mel notte was undertaken by Mrs. Manh re, whose quiet acting of the part was very commendable. Mrs. Tippetts was ox cellent]as Madame Deschapelles, while the heavy part of ■ Beauseant had a fair X ponent in Mr. Poyntz. The other charac ters were well sustained by the members of the company. The orchestra, under Mr. Gates, was quite up to the in; rk, and formed no mean part of the oxtert.in ment. At the close of the r drama, which, as we have said, went with remarkaole success, a dance took place, and was well attended.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Raileds Agency .) Commercial. London, Dec. 13. Three per cent, consols, Adelaide wheat, per 496155., ex ware house, 50s. 6d. ; Adelaide flour, per zSolbs., ex warehouse, 355. ; New Zea land wheat, cx ship, 445. The Greek Frontier. London, Dec. 14. The Great Powers have decided for the present to postpone consideration of the Porte’s circular note, invoking mediation in regard to the Greek frontier question. Collision. The ship Cornby (?), bound for London from Sydney, has put into Falmouth, damaged by collision with another vessel. She is leaking, and discharging part of her cargo. Health of the Marquis of Ripon. Calcutta, Dec. 14. Latest telegrams from Allahabad re port that the Marquis of Ripon is im proving.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per-Reuter's Agency.) Oats. Melbourne, Dec. 14. New Zealand oats, feeding, 2s. 8d per bushel. There are no milling qualities in the market. A Narrow Majority. The Legislative Assembly has nega tived Ur. Smith’s vote of want of confi dence in the Ministry by a small majority, the numbers being forty-four against and thirty-nine for the motion. Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, Sir J. O’Shan nasy, and Mr. McKean voted with the minority. Sugar. Latest advices from Mauritius state that 1,300 tons are shipping for Aus tralia. 58,000 tons have been shipped since August 1 st.’ Melbourne, To-day. The sugar market here has an im proving tendency. A Narrow Squeak. The Age to-day, commenting on the want of confidence motion proposed by Mr. Smith, says that Mr. Berry was perilously near suffering defeat. The Transcontinental Railway. Brisbane, Dec. 14. The Ministry received a telegram this afternoon from an influential London firm, promising cordial co-operation for pushing forward the transcontinental project. It further states that the pre sent time is considered favorable for that purpose.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Grant and Foster. Auckland, To-clay. Intelligence by mail states that Grant, of Grant and Foster, is unable to realise his property in England, owing to the agricultural depression. This will not prejudice the Kiapara settlement. The Native Minister. Mr. Bryce, Native Minister, is expected in Auckland shortly. A Fatal Fall. A boy named Leith, ten years of age, son of the lighthouse-keeper, fell over a precipice at Tiritiri. The body has not yet been recovered. Pure Water Wanted. Clark, the new Mayor, in his inaugural address, spoke of the necessity for seeing to the purity of the water, reducing the charges for supply, and bringing disputes with the Harbor Board to an end. He gives a dinner. The Mormon Elder Bites Back. The Mormon elder Butt writes a savage letter to the press, in - reply to Lundon’s letter per the s.s. Australia. He says— P London was a Baptist at Papanui, but was in search ,of a wife, not the Gospel.” He describes Lundop as being “ mean as the devil.” The letter concludes —“If any person should want to make money ky betting, they can bet their stakes on ; this fjiat Mormons will continue to gather by hundreds of thousands, because this is the work of God- ” The letter also states that 200 converts in Npw Jse(ila,nd are awaiting passages to Utah. five. iNVERUAROtu,, To.-day. Last night the store of Messrs. -Harris and Co., Lowther, was burned dowp. No goods w r ere saved. The insurance op stock and building was Ll5O in the New

Zealand Insurance Co., but the loss is estimated at LIOO. It is believed the fire was caused by sparks from a passing engine, the building being near the Waimea Plains line. The engine was burning Native coal, and had no spark catcher, The sufferers iutondto apply for compensation. •/’

IRELAND’S TROUBLE.

Critical State of Affairs,

Sympathy in America,

More Troops for the Quid Dart.

[By Cable.]

London, Dec. 14.

It has transpired that, at, a Cabinet Council held yesterday, it was decided by Ministers that, unless the state of Ireland has decidedly improved by the time Parliament rc-assemblcs on the 6th proximo, a Bill will be immediately introduced to suspend the Habeas.. Corpus Act. It was, moreover, decided, under such circumstances, to also pro pose measures for remedying the grievances of the Irish people. In consequence of the increasing necessity for further reinforcements in the disturbed,districts of Ireland, two more regiments have been ordered across the Channel, and will be de spatched without delay. Washington, Dec. 14.,

Both Houses of the United States Congress have passed resolutions ex pressing sympathy with' the Irish ten ants in their efforts to obtain redress of their grievances.

TUHI SENTENCED TO DEATH.

PEIS ONER’S^CONFESSION. [by telegraph.] Wellington, To-day

At the Supreme Court, Tuhi’s case was resumed. In addition to the previous confessions, which have been made public, Constable Taylor, stationed at Opunake, gave the following statement, which was made to me by Tuhi two days after the in quest was held Tuhi said as follows— “ I know that I will come to some sudden death, in consequence of a dream I-had. I saw men foiling a tree on the top of my whare, and the wliare came down, with the exception of two posts, one at each end, and the ridge pole. I knew it was a dream of sudden death, either to me or some younger relation. I know now that the dream concerns myself.” Ho also stated —“ I had no intention of killing the woman. When we met, I said, ‘ where do you come from. ’ She did not under stand. I continued to ask her. The woman spoke in English. I did not understand her She was frightened, and gave me money. . She gave me six shillings and fourpence. I was on my horse at the time when I received the money. She said she would tell the soldiers about me. 1 Was afraid of my crime of taking the money from the woman. I got off my horse and tied it to the flax. The woman ran away when she saw me tie up ray. horse. I ran after her, threw her down on the ground, and choked her. I thought that if I choked or strangled her she would die. I let her go, and a little while after she rose up. I then ran to her and cut (or stabbed) her throat, and choked her by the back of the neck and drove her along, bo that she might be a distance from the road. When she had gone a dis tance she fell, and I fell. I dragged her to a place whore there was a large quantity of flax, and there left her. I then went to catch my horse, and heard Honi Pibama’s buggies going along the road. When they had passed, I caught my horse and went. That’s all.” Evidence in Tuhi’s case being concluded, the Crown Prosecutor and the Counsel for defence addressed the jury. The Judge’s summing up lasted twenty minutes. The jury returned a verdict of “guilty,” and the Judge passed sentence of death.

SPORTING.

TIPS FOR TO MQRRQW’S RACES. By Telephone. The Trotting Club's meeting comes off to-morrow on the Racecourse, and, with fine weather, I expect to see a large attendance and some very good sport. With the exception of the Maiden the entries have not come up to my expecta tions, and I would suggest to the Com mittee to make some of the races post entries on the ground at their next meet ing. and I feel confident they would have more success. For the Maiden Teot, in saddle, eight horses are on the list, and, to take them in the order they appear on the card, Mr. P; Journeaux’s Bill don’t stand much chance. His owner is a first-class judge of what to do with a horse’s hoofs, but when ho gets higher up In the .anatomy of a trotter he fails to display any science in training. Mr. O. Digby’s Bijou is much fancied by some of the trotting fraternity, more especially by his owner. I think he will be among the first three, as he will be piloted by Physick, who knows how to take all out of a horse that he has in him. Mr. G. Kidd’s Maori may start, but his chances of running into a place are hopeless. Mr. D. McLean’s Bob, ditto. Mr. Price’s Ginger can move along the borough streets at a good rate when chas ing a vagrant cow to the pound, but I don’t expect to see this leggy animal bettor than fourth, if there even. Mat Morshead’s Bones I don’t know much about, but he is credited by friends of mine with being troubled with the slows. Billy Compton’s Firefly is a low set mare, without any good looks to recommend her, and signs of hard work on her pins, but she is a traveller, and will cany my money if she goes. Mr. Dickens’ Ploughman is a big plough horse, and his trainer, J. Mcßae, says he can go, and as Jim is a fair judge, I will take his word for it. I place the horses in the following order as they pass the judge : Firefly ... 1 Ploughman ... 2 Bijou ... ... ... ... 3

The Maiden Harness. —Compton’s Firefly ought, if she has run in the previous race, to stand out of this event, and Brandy and Donald —-both celebrities — will have a fair course, and no favor shown. Brandy is in good condition, , and Donald just off grass, so that, should Firefly not start, I will place them — Brandy 1 Donald 2 And Firefly, in any case, out of it. The other events being handicaps, I cannot,* of course, venture an opinion, except, perhaps, in the Welter, where 15st. up is the minimum, weight; and as only Jess and Ploughman are going, I shall at once go for Jess I bear that Mr., Digby will ride his own marc and Mr. Wilkie Ploughman. If so, I don’t think either Jock will require to carry much dead weight

Caledonian Sport.

The fallowing are the Handicaps for the different races named, to take place at the Caledonian Sports, on December 27

CRICKET.

Chatmoss v. The Ashburton Muffs. The return match between the Chat moss Club and the Ashburton Muffs took place on the Cricket Club’s ground, in the Domain to-day. On the conclusion of the first innings the combatants left cricket to play with knives and forks, and they played fearful havoc with the good things supplied by Mr. T. Hicks. After de molishing a few lambs, hams, and bul locks, in the shape of comestibles, and the contents of several portly jars of nec tar. Mr. C. W. Ireland, in a short and pithy speech, referred to the pleasant day the Muffs had spent at Chatmoss on the oc casion of the previous match, .and the hospitable manner in which they had been entertained. He proposed the health of Mr. James Scott, coupled with the Chat moss team. The toast.being drunk with tremendous applause and musical honors, Messrs. Scott and Grant, who appeared to be much affected, returned thanks, and the team then resumed the more legiti mate part of the day’s work—leather hunting. We append the scores up to the hour of our reporter leaving the

Shelley’s "Defence of Poetry.”

The Defence of Poetry is a work which may be commended to all young writers of prose as a model, the more that its peculiar beauties are not those now in vogue among us. It may be hroadly said that Shelley’s prose was as ardent and as effusive as was possible in a generation that had not sat at the feet of De Quincey. In other words, it is the most highly-colored and deli cately adorned specimen of the prose of a generation whose ipain object in writing-was neither ornament nor color. In reading Shelley’s periods we feel that we are still listening to a writer of the school of the eighteenth century ; the difference is specific, and follows from the nature of the man, not generic and due to the temper of the age. Burke is the writer of whom Shelley’s prose reminds us most; from Burke he learned the stately balance of phrases, the articulated sentences, which pro gress, each duly supported, by its pre decessor. To us, who have been dazzled by De Quincey, electrified by Mr. Carlyle, smothered in rose-leaves by Mr. Ruskin, and debauched by the tasteless audacities of a thousand minor writers, the style which seemed too brilliant to Shelley’s contemporaries, now may appear cold and subdued in its simplicity and grace. But we have but to submit ourselves to the charm to feel it, and above the dominant note of Burke’s manner to catch the accents of a. finer and more aerial nature. — Saturday Review.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of the Council was held at noon to-day. Present —His Wor ship the Mayor and Messrs Robinson, Fried lander.,, Williamson, Harrison, and Bullock.

His Worship said that before retiring from the Chair, he wished to thank the Councillors for the assistance Hey had given him, and for the kindly treatment they had shown him. He hoped the good feeling would continue during the in coming year. The most inportant work of the year had been the water supply carried out at a cost of L 1,500 including L2OO for pipes and engineers’ commission. The scheme adopted had been found effi cient and preferable to the most costly one previously contemplated. The other ex tensive work had been the channelling of the streets which had been done at a cost of L(370, and by which 130 chains of channel ling had been laid down. After enu merating the formation works, Ac., to be undertaken, the Mayor said the Council had reason to congratulate themselves on the state of the Borough’s finance. They now had a credit balance at the Bank of L 390, whereas when he took office the balance was on the other side to the sum of over L 470. The Mayor then gave a statement of the Borough’s income for the last year, which amounted to L3O3G 10s. 7d., which had been expended on various works. Before sitting down be paid a high com pliment to the officers of the Council, especially the Engineer, and he looked with regret upon the resolution that had been passed at last meeting. That reso lution would have the effect of depriving the Council of the services of Mr. Fooks, who had done a very great amount of work for the Borough, that would have to be done over again by any new man before the latter could carry on the Borough’s various works. After re ferring to the irregular attendance that was beginning to show itself, the Mayor again thanked the Councillors and sat down.

Mr. Bullock who suffered from a cold would not speak so long as he had in tended, but he could not refrain from ex pressing his admiration of the manner in which the Mayor had discharged his duties. It was a difficult position to ful fill and was not in this country always so thankful as it might be. The Mayor had alluded to the water supply, and the low cost it had been carried out at. He must add his congratulations on the completion of that scheme, which was a marked success and in every way an improvement to the town. He hoped the temporary difficulty in regard to the loan would soon be got over, and that shortly the accsesion of available funds would be large. Mr. Bullock before sitting down expressed his regret at the small attendapcc, but hoped that the good feeling that had obtained during the year would continue. He moved that the Mayor take the chair for the ensuing year. This being carried, his Worship took the chair and again thanked the Council for the honor, and invited them to wine. Mr. Bullock regretted that in his re marks ho had omitted to refer to what was perhaps the greatest achievement of the Mayor’s term, the financial prosperity' of the Borough, which hi? Worship had brought about. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Harrison joined in the compliments to the Mayor, and expressed bis belief that, knowing his Worship as they did, the members of the Council would all work smoothly together, as they had beep doing recently'. He would be glad to see a man of Mr. Friedlander’s ability occupying the chair for a second or even third term. In reference to the depression that had troubled the colony in the past, ho was glad to notice the signs of improvement evidenced by the hank rate in Loudon, which he could not help looking on as a criterion, find he believed a few months of the now year would see the prosperity they had longed for returning. The Mayor’s health was then drunk with great heartiness. THE BUILDING BY-LAWS. The letter of the manager, Bank of New Zealand, referred to this meeting was then taken up. Mr. Bullock took occasion to refer to the by'-laws regaining building. He thought they were too stringent, and one especially was, he thought, premature. He referred to the law which compelled buildings in : East street to be built of brick, stone, or concrete. He believed that the town was not y'et so fully de veloped as to be able to bear a hard and fast law to compel stone building, and that party walls were quite sufficient. The application of the Bank to bo allowed to inako additions to their building brought on this subject. He was disinclined to interfere with the by'-laws that-had been prepared with much trouble, but the case he had in view was one of a kind that represented others, and was only an in stance of how the by-law interfered with the town’s progress. Mr. Robinson thought an establishment like the Bank, that had made wealth to itself in this district, ought to be able to put up a proper building in the town. Mr. Williamson was glad to see that his old opponent for the: Mayoralty, Mr. Bullock, was coming round to his opinion re party walls at last. In a town like this it was not to be expected that, for a time at leastj so expensive buildings as vvore erected in cities like Christchurch would be put up. He hoped, however, that in discussing the question the matter of the applicant being a Bank ought to have no weight in the matter, and he would be sorry to see it introduced.

Messrs. Friedlander and Harrison hav ing spoken in favor of party-wall, and amending the by-laws as far as needful, The Mayor said that the bank had no intention of evading the by-law, but simply Wished to build a temporary house till the business place of the town was properly defined, and then to put up a good building. The proposed alterations would supply work for many carpenters, etc., for a time. D was resolved that the bank’s letter be acknowledged, and that at next meeting the question of altering the by-laws be considered. The meeting then adjourned.

INQUEST.

Aii inquest was held in the Somerset Hotel to-day on the body of the child found at Rakaia, alleged to to that of Sarah Brimmicomb. Dr. Trevor was Coroner, and Mr. F. Pavitt was chosen foreman of the jury. The following evidence was taken :

Dr. Boss said he had made a post mor tem examination of the child. The body was that of a full-grown child, but the features of its face were indistinguishable. The .skin was dark bi’own. It was im possible to make out whether there were any marks of violence- or not. The um bilical cord was.about 18 inches in length and had evidently not been tied in. the ordinary way. On opening the chest, the lungs were found in a perfect state of preservation, and destitute of air—they had never been inflated, and the child had never breathed. I have known Sarah Brimmicomb for some time. She : pre sented signs of pregnancy. I used all the ordinary tests for the lungs of the child, which I should say had been dead for over a, fortnight—fourteen or seventeen days. The lungs were just beginning to decompose. The lungs sank in water. Sergeant Felton—-On the 9th of De cember I went to South Rakaia, to the house of a man named Brimmicomb. Sarah Brimmicomb and her mother were in the house. I said, “I have a, search warrant, and have come to search for the body of the child of which I believe you, Sarah Brimmicomb, are the mother.” i

Mrs. Briinmicomb said, “ I know nothing about it; do I, Sarah?” Sarah said, “ No, mother, you don’t. I had it about one o’clock oa Tuesday week (23rd Nov.) It was a slip about as long as my linger. I was standing upby mymother’sbed,anditcame from me. I rolled it in a rag and put it : amongst the potatoes.” 1 said, “The pota toes havebecnsearched, audit isnot there.” She then said, “I put it down the closet; it’s in an old holland sleeve.” I searched the closet, and found the full-sized after birth of a woman, the umbilical cord to it. The whole was loose and not wrapped up in anything. It looked fresh, but was bloody. 1 showed it to the girl, saying that it was all I could find in the closet, and that it looked to me like that of a full grown child. She said, “ Yes ; that’s mine, and what I had was in it. It was about that (nine inches) long, and was in an old coat-sleeve.” I said, “'Was it formed 2 ” and she said it wasn’t properly formed; On the 13th inst. I searched the back cf the house, near the corner, about throe yards from the back door. I found the dead body of the child. It was wrapped in a piece of coarse blanketing, covered with about six inches of soil. There was a large tub over it. Brought the body to Ashburton"; saw Sarah Brim micomb, and told her I had found the body, and explained where I had found it. She said, “ Well, mother knew nothing about it ; the tub must have been put there since.” The mother of Sarah Brimmicomb was not with me when I found the child, but she pointed with her finger in the direction of the place, saying, “ Somewhere there.” Eliza Jane Brimmicomb—l am the mother of Sarah Brimmicomb, and live with my husband at Rakaia. I knew Sarah was pregnant. I saw her at the police station the day before yesterday, when she told mo whore she had buried the body—by the side of the house, near the pig tub. I pointed the place out to Sergeant Felton. My daughter never was married. The Coroner said tha* the evidence of Dr. Ross was to the effect that the child had never breathed. This disposed of the case as to the child having been killed, as the law did not recognise a child that had never breathed as a child that had lived. The jury could, however, bring in a verdict of “ Found Dead.” After consultation, the jury returned the following verdict:—“ That the child was that of Sarah Brimmmicomb, and was still born.”

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

BARBARA. [Continued.] “ Oh, what a lovely thing ! ” said Theo, coveting the rose and stretching out her plump little hands. “Is it for me ? ” “ No,” said Eben, rather gruffly. “ 1 have had an eye on this bud for some time. I noticed that your Lady Isabels are in fine condition, you will have a cluster of them by the day after to-mor row.” “ Well, you old stingy, I suppose you dont mind running down' to the mail for me; I forgot what Barbara asked me to do, and I shall get a scold ing from mamma ; you can’t have Bab crossed in anything, you know.” “I shall have to go down and see Nanson about the wagon gear anyway to-night, and I can just as well stop at the postoffice. Is it the letter from— New Haven ? ” and Eben very thought lessly bit off the leaves of the rose and mangled them with his strong white teeth.

Yes, it was the letter from New Haven, and Eben was charged to bring up a new novel and some pink sewing silk and eighteen celluloid buttons by Tlieo, who ran after him to suggest chocolate caramels in case the letter failed. It was a sort of satisfaction to him hat the letter did fail. But it hurt him to see Barbara’s disappointment. He had remembered Theo’s womanish little errands, and he still held the rose, which he had laid now on Barbara’s clasped hands. For all she had grown to hate the old place, she loved its old fashioned big fluffy roses as fond as when a child, and Eben had braided a long garland of them out of the finest and best. She caressed the rose and tucked it in among the curling locks, where it nestled just against her cheek. Eben flushed and paled as he remembered how he had laid his heart in the heart of that rose. •‘The letter will be sure to be here to-morrow,” he said gently, “I am going down the first thing in the morn ing. The young ladies around Lar borough are not to be without a gallant this season. I handsome young man from New York has has come down to stay some weeks in the neighborhood; I met him with Dr. Ormsby in the gig.”

Eben was not slow to note that this bit of news awakened a faint show of interest in Barbara. “ What was he like? ” said Barbara, blushing a little. “ I trust he is an acquisition. Did he look like a gentle man ? ”

Yes, he looked like one. Eben was compelled to admit that he did, and that he wore elegant clothes, and had slender, soft white hands, which Eben had not.

Days after this, Eben, in an agony of jealous anguish was compelled to ac cord the stranger a great many other advantages and accomplishments. He' rode well, "’as a good shot, talked fluently, sketched passably, understood women, and was Miss Leighton’s most ardent admirer.

Eben foresaw all this, and yet once, when their mingled voices floated out to his little. den, he brought down a hammer wrathfully and smashed his thumb nail. Morning and night he saddled and brought round horses for Barbara and Mr. Ney, and went away to his work in the hot fields, while they were cantering down the shady roads, and Mrs. Leighton and Theo were beating eggs in the buttery and getting up rare dishes for tea. The letter had come from New Haven and Barbara had answered briefly that she would not go until some other time later. She had never looked so animated and beautiful as now. She rarely saw Eben, sending him her requests by her sister, and Eben went on at his inventions, feeling as if every blow ‘of his chisel drove out a piece of his heart’s core. And, although he would have scorned the idea, Eben had grown wonderfully haggard and pale, with great dark circles under his eyes since Dr. Ormsby had introduced Edgar Ney to the Leightons. He took little pride in the knowledge that he was the better man of the two, but he did know that. he. could .crush Ney with one hand into a : limp, shape less mass, and he wondered why he did

not. One day he was seized with a fit of trembling. He was pruning a pear tree when he looked up and Barbara stood before him, in her habit, switch ing at the mottled butterflies that fluttered on the hollyhocks, and around Eben’s brown hands.

“ How pale and ill you look, Eben,” It was the' least she could say, and it was the truth. Eben’s heart beat madly for a moment and then went on slowly. “ I am not one to get ill, Miss Bar bara; l am not browned sd much as usual, perhaps.” y His “Miss Barbara” sounded oddly, and his looks belied his words. She looked down at the ground and said nervously :

“ I hope you will not argue with me this morning, Eben, but I’ve set my heart on riding the old colt, Tani O’Shanter, to the falls. I am not in the least afraid.”

“But I am,” said Eben calmly. “ I cannot permit you to risk your life with that vicious colt,” ;

“ Mr. Ney will take care of his viciousness,” Barbara answered, a trifle insolently. “ Mr. Ney may ride O’Shanter, and welcome, but I cannot consent' for you to.”

“Then I must do it without your consent. Be so kind as to have the

colt round in a quarter of an hour.” Eben finished his pear tree and went into the shop to wash his hands, of blood He had cut himself to the bone. Barbara and Ney sat on the

porch reading from the “ Princess,” when the horses appeared. The colt' shied and reared when Barbara sprang lightly in her saddle. An admirable horsewoman, she held her own finely,.

and Eben stood as if rooted to the ground until a turn in the road hid them from sight, then like a deer he set off - down a footpath toward where the . railroad crossed the road, as with horror 1 he remembered that the morning ex- ~ press would be down in ten minutes. The riders had stopped by the way to permit Mr.' Ney to dismount and gather the first cardinals for Barbara. As they trotted sharply down ; the .road , the roar of the train was heard just beyond the curve. Maddened with terror, the young horse Barbara rode * reared, plunged and sprang away' from > ' the other horse, and darted down the , . cut toward the train. ' With, a hoarse shout to “ sit firm,” Eben rushed out from the copse and flung himself under his hoofs. He caught, the bit in his hands and pulled the colt on his haunches, and then a. violent kick made him drop like a log. Some woodchoppers came to the rescue, and as they lifted Barbara off the train thundered by. Eben was picked up for dead, and even Mr. Ney declared he was a “ brave fellow.” . ~ ;

In an agony of grief and remorse Barbara hung near him all those tedious days when Eben’s mind wan dered, and he muttered troubled, inco herent sentences, in which, poor fellow, he told all his hopes and feats.-/; He ,• was now indeed haggard and ghostly pale, with an ugly scar in his temple, and his hands lay week and nerveless on the coverlet, >The first mdtpentloflf j sanity and consciousness made him • sigh and wish that he had remained , oblivious to life and its miseries. It was Barbara who leaned over him while her great brown eyes filled with tears, “ Oh, Eben, how canyou bear to look at me ? You can never forgive me !” “ You would not say that if you knew what is in my heart.” ~, . “ Can not you tell me, Eben ? I : a*m “ ■ so wretched.” “ I am sorry for that .; I must tell . you, Barbara. I cannot suffer more than I have.” “Then shall I tell you something?” and she hid her face in the pillow. He put out his hand and touched her head caressingly. • rAii “ I have been very wilful and blind, and very unhappy, Eben. I would have - - given up my life to save yours, as you 1 ' gave yours for me.” “But, Barbara; oh, Barbara, my darling, I gave mine because I loved you better than life, than Heaven. ‘ I would rather have died than live to lose you forever.” “ But you will not lose me.” Her arm stole tenderly around him and she laid her cheek against his, “ I owe ray life to you, and it is yours.” “ Barbara, think what you are say ing. I shall be mad enough to think that you care for me !” “ Eben, my love, you; are -all the ;, world to me. Cannot you see this- is-' so ?” ...... “ My own !” , ; With one great effort and a spasm of his old strength, Eben pressed’ her to his heart. ■. “ And you never meant to marry Ney?” - .. “I am afraid lonljhmeanti 16 mlkd i■ you jealous,” said Barbara, with her old saucinessl “ I shall mend now fast enough, but not until you have promised to abide by what L say, my darling.” - - - “ I promise solemnlj’.” “ Then we shall be married to-mor- " row.” ' (Concltided).- ■ ■ .

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER IS, 1880.



and 28 • HURDLE RACE, 440 YARDS. J. Connor, ... .. scratch. C. Eisely ... »• >> Thos. Organ •• )) C. Jephson .. 5 yards. Fred. Moreshead .. o ,, Win. Bayliss .. 10 „ Fred. Mayo .. io „ GRAND HANDICAP FLAT race, 200, 300, 400 YARDS. 200. 300. 400. A. Leclmer scratch scratch scratch J. Conner ... ,, >> >> T. Organ ... ,, ” 2' , C. Eisely ... ,, 3yds. 7yds. D, Oilmour ... ,, 3yds. 7yds. Ted. Oughten ,, Byds. 10yds. E. Leclmer ... 3yds. 7yds. 10yds. 1m Groves... Byds. 7yds. 10yds. in. Bayliss... 5yds. 10 yds. 15yds. R. Hodder ... Byds. 10 yds. 15yds. HALF-MILE HANDICAP. Thomas Organ .. scratch. John Groves 5 yards. Albert Hugo 15 ,, C. Spray ... 15 ,, C. Eisely ... 15 ,, W. Bayliss ... 20 ,, R. Leclmer... ... 20 ., Rayner Hodder ... 25 „ Fred Mayo ... ... 25 „ OPEN HANDICAP MILE RACE. T. Organ ... .. scratch. John Groves ... 10 yards. C. Risely ... ... 25 „ John Hunt... ... 30 „ C. Spray ... ... 30 „ Albert Hugo ... 30 ,, W. Bayliss... ... 40 „ Fred Mayo... ... 40 J. McFarlane ... 200 ,,



ground ; — Chatjioss.—1st innings. Ede, lbw, b Sykes ... 1 McLean, b Sykes ... 0 J. Scott, b Sykes ... 6 J. Walker, b Eagle ... ... ... 18 Fowler, b Sykes ... 2 Grant, not out ... .., ... M. Scott, b Sykes ... 1 ... 2 T. Williams, b Eagle ... ... ... o Alpine, b Eagle ,,, o S. Reeve, b Sykes ... 11 J. Reeve, b Sykes ... 6 Osborne, b Eagle ... 1 Ladbrook, c Dixon, b Eagle ... ... 5 Extras ... 9 Total ... ... 62 Ashburton Muffs.—1st innings. Eagle, b Ede ... ... ... 0 Sykes, st Grant, b Fowler ... 0 M'Rae, run out ... ... ... ... 2 Ireland, c Reeves, b Fowler ... o Wilkie, b Ede 6 Price, c Ede, b Fowler ... ... 2 Dixon, b Fowler ... 14 Strangman, c Scott, b Fowler... ... 0 Power, bit wicket, b Ede ... 1 Branson (sub)., b Ede ... ... 2 Blundell, c Fowler, b Ede Main waring, c Reeves, b Fowler ... 0 ... 7 Fitzgerald, not out ... 1 Nolan, hit wicket ... 0 Extras ... 0 Total .:. ... 43



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Special Advertisements. A NEW DEPARTURE. DAWN OF A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF TAILORING./j: ONE of the great requirements of the Colonies at the present time, is— CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER, AT READY MADE PRICES. In order to meet this want and bring our PERFECT FITTING SUITS, Within the reach of all, we have made arrangements which will enable us to offer CLOTHING MADE TO ORDER from COLONIAL or IMPORTED Materials, at the following Prices:— Boy’s SUITS from £2 Men’s SUITS from £3 7s. Gd. Men’s TROUSERS from 18s Cd. Ladies’ MANTLES from £2 ss. PERFECT FlT—Any Style Required, and First-Class Workmanship guaranteed in every case. CRAIGHEAD & CO., TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr & Co.) THISTLE LODGE, 627, S.C., ASHBURTON. mHE. REGULAR MONTHLY MEET- J_ ING of the above Lodge will be held TO-MORROW (Thursday) EVEN ING, at the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, at 7.30 p.m. Visiting Brethren invited. By order of the R. W. M. G. GAUKRODGER, Hon. Sec.



Wife Desertion. A man named (jleeson, from the Hinds, was to-day re<- mauded for eight days by the Bench, on a charge of wife desertion. What a beautiful thing is a rosy cheek ! How great the contrast when the blush settles on the nose ! Scene —A court of law ; Pat in. the witness box. Council for the prisoner— “ Did you see the prisoner at the bar knock down the deceased 1 ” Pat —“ No, yor honer : he was alive when I see him knocked down.” Magnifcent Bequests. —The estate of William Birks Rhodes, the Hounslow 'raiser, who died a couple of years ago, has just been wound up, and has realised a sum of no less than seventy-eight thou pounds. Unlike a very large number of misers, the Hounslow miser seems to have had a very distinct and what may be called a very noble purpose in his economies, for if ho had denied himself to such an extent thathis whole household effectsonly fetched L 5 175., it was not from mere desire of gold, but for the purpose of benefitting others. He bequeathed the whole of his fortune in equal parts to the Lifeboat Institution and' the Royal Hospital in Gray’s liin Road, London.



Black Water. — A special correspon dent of the Ti c ikato Mail, recording the wonders of ’Te Arolia, says i—Not 10ft. distant from where the gratuitous soda day otters itself is an i opening, in which is seen water of a deep black color, that rises and falls with .the tide, althoiigh the (jea is thirty miles distant. .'lt sinks about 3ft., and at high tide overflows the edges. Whether its depth had ever been tested o.ur informant' not )>n,qw. The stench attached to jt is simply abomin able,



( Broken Down. —-A telegram from Auckland states that Sinking Fund, during a gallop with Lonehand yesterday, broke down badly, and it is. thought he will not be able again to undergo projmfa*' tion. ; :i : ■ An Octopus in a Bathing Plage.— Bathing at Dunedin seems to be attended with its perils, if we may judge front the following paragraph in the Dunedin Star, : —Bathers at the Pelichet Bay baths had better keep a sharp look out, for we are informed by several regular visitors there that for the last three or four days an | octopus has taken up his quarters inside the bathing space, It can be seen oc-. casionally swimming about near the Siyv face, and on one occasion-a man attacked'’ it with a boat hook, but did not succeed in killing it. When its limbs are extended the octopus, .measures some 4ft. ,or oft. across. There are rumors that a May or* two ago it got hold of a bather;’for a few moments, but this we cannot vouch for. Holloway’s Pills!— These Pills -aremore efficacious in strengthening a debilitated’consti tution than any other medicine in, the .worjd., fficaons of .nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become decayed, by billions effections, disordered stomach',' or liver com plaints, should loso no time, in givffig tHScT admirable Pills a fair trial.!-.; Cougui :<X>lds,S asthma, or shortness of breath, t are also,-within, the range of the senative powers'of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by. these Pills are not' superficial or temporary, but complete and permanent, ■ They. a.re as mild they are efficacious, anjl inay .wit confidence to delicate’females and young' chil dren.—AlivT,