CHISPA’S LETTER.

❖ (From the Ashbmion Herald, February 7.) “I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains. Longfellow. I do not intend, if I can help it, to shuffle off this mortal coil at present; but when I feel my time has come, it is my intention to perform the last act in the drama of life somewhere else than in Ashburton. Seems to me there is too much of a necessity altogether for profes sional butchering; and as it is not a pleasant prospect for a man to have -■•’Joining up before him that he can depart in peace without a narrow of being cut up previous to inter nment, no matter whether ho dies of con sumption, or gets spilt off a horse, it is Chispa’s intention to clear out before Bob Sawyer tries his skill on yours obediently with a view to learning anatomy and putting the usual L2 2s. fee in the coroner’s breeches pocket. If a man dies suddenly in this very Christian township or district, his sorrowing relatives have three reasons for being highly satisfied. A post mortem examination will freshen up some medico’s knowledge of the human mechanism, and elicit an answer to the question one so often hears at a wake—“ "Why did he die ?”—a very intelligent jury will have an opportunity of listening to lan guage only to bo found in ponderous books on medical science, and of course under standing that language without reference to a dictionary of terms —and medical and coroner’s fees will be paid. The reporters will run out a few inches or a few columns of highly instructive reading in the shape of evidence, winding up with a meaning less verdict, and possibly a practically use less rider, forgotten as soon as written, and that is all. The leading luminary of legal lore is not beyond criticism, so far as his consistency is concerned. A few weeks ago there was a case before the Court—Shearman v. Knight—in which Mr. Branson appeared as counsel for plaintiff, and was inconti nently turned out on a professional etiquette point. He was very wroth thereat, and took the opportunity of announcing that he did not appear so much on behalf of his client as he did to defend that noble army of martyrs the Licensed Victuallers as a body, whose legal adviser he was. Cliispa on that occasion felt for him, and sympathised for the poor man when not allowed to defend his friends. But when “ Ohispa ” heard the same eloquence used in defence of the sly grog business yesterday he was slightly taken aback at the inconsistency of this man of law. The defence set up that certain leaves rolled up to represent mild Havannas were reasonable at 6d. each was too much for the Bench, and Mr. Guinness wasn’t far out when he con sidered the beer was in important con sideration in such a sale. The great muff cricket match was a grand affair (for the Christchurch players.) Ashburton was a confounded sight too honest altogether, and the metropolitan mufis (?) had them cheap. As muffs the Ashburton boys were perfect, for they muffed the concern throughout. The pro moter of the whole business commenced the day’s proceeding by getting up five minutes too late, and his wild endeavors to stop the train must have caused him a considerable loss of breath : but he got to the cricket ground before everything was over and the lunch purveyor had thought fully reserved a ham and a sirloin of beef to assist the late but not yet deceased one in sustaining exhausted nature; and I am glad to say that he has not suffered to any extreme extent. The press was numer ously if not ably represented, and no less tlMi four Fourth Estate men turned up fi An • village, and were all equally bad asflPßktists. The “ Times ” man showed the best, and it was a toss up between the “Herald” and the “Mail” which was the worst. I would advise the rowdy people of Rakaia to take care. I suppose Rakaia has a share of rowdy people, as well as all other civilised countries. But Rakaia ’ has a special reason to take care, for Trooper Rouse has got located there. He » a quiet, mild, inoffensive looking man is Rouse ; but hit him, and—well, I did it once. I regretted it, for reasons I needn't give. But he is a smart fellow is Rouse. He had a man to hunt for at Chertsey who was wanted up North, and our trooper had only the official description to go by. Scene —Chertsey Enter Rouse ; enter also a country-looking man. Rouse (soliloquising)—“ That’s the description ; I’ll try.” Innocently to countryman— “ Good morning, Dawson. ” Poor Dawson was caught on the hop : he answered to his own name, and brave Trooper Rouse with a feather in his cap walked off an alleged wife deserter. Someone or other says a live lion is better than a dead dog. If anyone wants proof of this he had better walk up that road past the site recently occupied by Chiarini’s circus. If he can think of any thing worse than the smell of the dead dog he will there pass, may you never hear again from b Ohispa.

THE STATE OF IRELAND.

- Ireland has now suffered from three bad years in succession. The distress this winter will be so great that the unfortu nate peasantry will have neither fuel nor food. The turf is as dear as coal, and the latter is about 255. per ton when delivered. In the Vest the turf is three tin.es, and in - some instances four times, the price it was in ’7B ; and the state of the country in general is thus described by the “ Dub lin Freeman,” the leading Irish daily paper : —“ The hopes and well-earned treasures of the year are now irretrievably ruined ; the whole face of the country is sodden or flooded. Here the ripened corn is lying in reeking, rotting masses, on the soaked ground ; there it is standing up to its neck in water. The half-dried turf is slowly dissolving away into the black slime, and in many places the potatoes just show the tops of their blackened stunted stalks over the water. There seems no hope of change. Literally the flood gates of Heaven have been opened, and down on the land with persistent maligmity the rain has poured itself in torrents. Ho part of the country has been spared. Even where nature has lavished her richest treasures there is pitching poverty in the present, and God only knows what in the future. Take Tipperary, for instance. What finer land 1 Luxurious in its richness, it may be said to have been up to the present the Eden of Ireland. , . “Buttermaking has been, ana still is, the most important item in Tipperary farming. The dairy farmers lose this sea son LBO per 20 cows. Butter went for 935. per cwt., which, in 1878, brought 120 s. and 1265. per cwt. The butter market is the barometer with whose rise or fall the prosperity of Tipperary is to he guaged. Some landlords are very good, but the ex ceptions more than neutralise the rule. And to show the desperate state of things even where the landlord is not exacting, take one case. Captain Massey Dawson has the highest reputation for his kindness, hut let the testimony of one speak, as to •the condition of other tenants on his estate, his own open way, hesays, “He, Captain never raised a man’s rent; aiid never quenched a man ; s hearth. He did np£ fleece us for our bit of prosperity, and wp are almost ashampd to’ go hogging to him now that we are down. But whatarp we to dp i We are simply on the high roa.d to ruin, and in a season or two, if we clpn’t starve, will he paupers squatting on his land. It is no fault of ours that our pattlcj our cprn, our hotter, opr potatoes

—every blessed thing we lived by, and paid rent by—have turned dead against us all in a heap. We have no money ; wo can borrow none. Forgive us a half-year, leave ns our morsel of crops to keep the wolf from the door, and we will try to struggle through—like men—till better days.’ Crowds of farmers who had for years emancipated themselves from field labor now have to return to the spade and reaping hook, through inability to pay for hired labor ; and the struggle is the same for the strong farmer of 100 acres and up wards as with the weak. The fattening of stock i; as unproductive as dairy farming. The struggle seems to be not who shall make the most gains, but who shall suffer the least losses. In one case the balance sheet of a farmer of 40 acres showed on the Dr. side L 136 145., on the Or. LlO7 135., leaving the year’s profit minus L 29 Is., and he was a thrifty man. In this state of things the rent? must be lowered ; if not, they'will lower themselves, for that insane earth hunger which was so strong a few years ago, is clean gone ; and hunger of a different kind takes its place. In dividual instances of suffering and hard ship might be given, but one or two will suffice There were two old men who lived all their lives on a farm of four acres. The Poor Law valuation was L 3, the rent L 4 4s. sd. Last year the lease expired, and they were ordered to quit. They offered 355. per acre, nearly 100 per cent extra. The offer was refused, and out they had to go. A few days afterwards they were allowed to rent the farm at Is. Bd. per week, that is, L 4 6s. Bd. a year ; so that for the luxury of starving in their cabin they paid more than they had before paid for cabin and land. The family of one of the most extensive dairy farmers in Aberloe have been living upon Indian meal stirabout, mixed with wheaten meal, since Ist December last. And to sum up the condition of the poorer class of Tipperary farmers —as Indian meal, Indian meal and flour, varied with an occasional banquet of bread and tea— the farmer of five acres to the farmer of thirty-five acres. This gives some idea of the state of things in Tipperary, the premier county in Ireland. “ In the north a few facts may be given to indicate how matters stand there. As to the root crops : A prize-winner of a series of years, the present included, of the Newtownards Horticultural Society, stated that some prize mangel last year turned the scale at 561 b. ; this year his best would not weigh Gib. Turnips last year weighed 241 b. ; this year at most 41b. A farmet in the barony of Lecale dug six stalks of potatoes in different parts of a six-acre field. He got but two good potatoes out of the lot. A poor woman on a farm of five acres was re duced to a sustenance of nettle broth. Of about 50,000 acres of potatoes in the County Down, two-thirds are called ‘Zulus.’ Unfortunately there are moi’e ‘ Zulus ’ in Ireland now than in Zululand. The oats here has fared better —it is green and upright—but it is feared the night frosts will ripen it into rottenness, and as a shrewd northerner said, ‘ chaff won’t make stirabout.’ In Armagh and Monaghan the elements have made fearful havoc of the hay, corn, and potatoes, and in the firstnamed county—called ‘ the orchard of Ireland ’ —the blossoms of the fruit trees have been scattered by wind and rain.” “But when we leave the rich soil of the north and south, and turn into Con naught, the prospect presented is truly appalling. On September 1, the chances even of a harvest were all gone. Every where was the cry raised of bad or blighted potatoes. Prices are sinking bottomlessly down. And the wretched peasant! This is bow an eye-witness writes of him :—Thundered at by the heavens, driven from the fairs, rejected from the banks, crawling from meal shop to meal shop for credit, bested even out of the English harvest market—turn where ho will, the Irish peasant, the most uncomplaining drudge that ever bowed his back to labor, finds himself imprisoned in a cage of debt, whose walls, like those of the mediaeval torture chamber, seem to be closing in to strangle him. Nearly every man in the parish of Ballyhauris owes his L2O or L3O, and you couldn’t squeeze a sovereign in coin out of the lot of them. ” A priest of a country parish missed 200 of his flock from mass. They failed to attend not for want of faith, but of clothes. To get stirabout for their children some of the wretched people had to appease the shop keepers by giving them mortgages over their crops. In fat Roscommon even, L 40,000 worth of Indian meal had been distributed on credit to people who were not able to pay back one-fifth of their last year’s (1878) advances. As to paying the rent, it is an absolute impossibility in many, many instances. To give one —A property bought in 1878 at a rental of L2OO, up to September, ’79, brought in L 6 in rents ! The decrees at quarter session may be numbered by the thousand. This is a terrible state of things, and a subject for our deepest pity and commiseration. And when one thinks that there are many landlords who are absentees from the soil, and care little whether the people starve or not so long as they get their rents, the thought makes the blood burn with indig nation at such heartlessness and indiffer entism. In Mayo four great absentee pro prietors own 315,000 acres. The greater part they farm for their own profit, or graze with their own cattle ; or the re mainder—and it is the worst, being the mountains and the morasses—they got LIOO,OOO a year from the peasants, to adorn their English summer gardens and drawing-rooms. These are facts, the accuracy of which are vouched for by eye-witnesses, amongst them the special commissioners of the Dublin Freeman’s Land Commission. And besides, that the distress in Ireland is wide spread and threatens a famine there can be no doubt, for the columns of the home papers teem with reports of meetings on the subject held all over the country, in which the people cry out with all their might, and plainly show that unless Go vernment comes to their assistance there is nothing for them but the workhouse. A sister of charity appeals from Clifden, county Galway ; the nun of Kenmare appeals from the south ; the archbishops 'and bishops of Ireland met together after the obsequies for the repose of the soul of the late Cardinal Cullen had concluded, and they declared the ‘ ‘ existence of deep distress called for a revision and reform of the land laws, and made a strong ap peal to the Government to undertake re munerative public works, with a view to providing employment for the people.” The priests of Clonfprt forwarded a series of resplutipns to the Lofd £ievspxi{int, stating ‘ * that in some oases as many as 50 per cent, and varying down to 10 per cent of the inhabitants will be in a state of des titution unless aid be afforded them.” The clergy say that this is from their own knowledge. And from late issues of the “ Tablet,” we learn that the bishop and clergy of Cavan have declared themselves in a similar manner. They conclude a series of resolutions by— ‘ ‘ That our par liamentary representatives, municipal and electoral bodies, and men of influence and position in the county, be reqrrested to urge on the Government the immediate necessity of providing some employment for the laboring classes. Without money, with credit, and without work, they must, if not soon and generously aided, become victims of famine, pestilence, and death. ” Meetings of the people have been also held at Carlow, Tullow, Maryborough, Cork, Castlebar, and all over Ireland, in fact, at pdricli similar declarations were made. These facts will suffice to show that Ireland stands in need of assistance from all who have hearts to feel for suffering want, and to whom the cause of a suf fering community will not be narrowed by consideration of class, creed or country. I To the generous and warm-hearted, it

only requires that this plain statement of facts should be brought under their notice to elicit a generous sympathy and an active help. We appeal to them on behalf of unfortunate countrymen, against whom the elements have waged a pitiless war for three years. Wo beg of them, for the sake of God and our common humanity, to come to the aid of the poor peasantry. Their help will be ever remembered by Irishmen and by Irish Australians, and the prayer of many in Ireland will ascend as incense to Heaven for them, in petition to the Almighty, that they and those who come after them may be blessed a hundred fold for the charitable assistance now so urgently needed, and as freely granted.

THE FARMER.

AMONG THE FARMERS. (Bv Our Rambling Reporter.) WAKANUI. —CONTINUED. “ It’s a far cry to Loch Awe,” but its a precious sight longer to get +0 the resi dences of Wakanui farmers, and the Bucephalus of your reporter has gone quite lame over his manifold turnings and twistings in trying to get round the many corners of that creek. One of our oldest, and we may without flattery say the best, our farmers, living in the neighborhood of the muddy stream is Mr. George Lamb, whose snug little farm is distant 3 miles from town, and his land shows evi dence of neatness and an intention to make a permanent and ornamental home for himself. Although not holding an extensive acreage, Mr. Lamb has a block of land of good quality, which, having been worked in a really creditable style, shows a good return for his labor. He has about 80 acres in wheat, giving a prospect of about 32 bushels per acre, 30 acres of oats offering 40 bushels ; and 20 of barley—3o bushels —besides a good stack of grass bay, 81 acres in pasture, and the usual small kitchen garden. Further down the Mill road we pass Mr. Hotten’s farm, who was absent on our visit, and on our left Mr. Frank Dines, who has done his share as a navvy on our Canterbury railways, is the next we visit. His crop consists of 10 acres of wheat, which is a poor looking crop, and looks hardly worth the cutting. His 120 acres of oats, how ever, look more like giving some grist to the mill, and will probably thrash out 33 bushels. Mr. Thos. Holmes is the next of the bucolics on our journey, and, in addition to farming, both he and his good lady are sporting characters in a mild way, and Tommy loves nothing better than to dilate on the pedigree and qualities of some blood stock he has on the farm. I have seen worse than they are, and I have seen a long way better, but so long as the old man is pleased with them it is none of my business to criticise them. Anyhow, ho knows how to grow grain, for his 120 acres of wheat ought to turn in 30 bushels, and the same area of oats 50 to the acre, and he seems to have found time to go in for a cabbage and spud patch. Turning back towards the creek, Mr. James Dwyer’s farm was my next resting place, and he informed me that his pros pect was a healthy one, and his crops certainly look as if he is going to have a good innings this season. He has 90 acres in wheat, which estimate about 33 bushels; 25 in oats, about the same ; 25 in barley, 35 bushels ; about 35 tons of hay saved, and about a dozen acres in root crops.

Mr. Hyland is the next resident towards the sea, and has 20 acres in wheat, equal to 20 bushels; 30 of oats, 30 bushels; 30 of barley, 20 bushels ; and a small lot of hay and a nice little grass paddock. Nearer the creek, in a nice secluded spot, is Mr. Henry Beckett’s farm. He has, in addition to the one near the crook, another farm near Seafield, and altogether his crops this year will total up 210 acres wheat, up to fully 30 bushels ; 130 oats 30 bushels ; GO in —25 bushels ; and the hay from some 50 of pasture land has resulted in building stacks with fully 100 tons contained in thorn. It is at pre sent a mystery to mo what the farmers are going to do with all the hay this year. As I think, there is sufficient in stack to supply all the wants of the district for the next two seasons. Mr. Beckett has also about 80 acres of really fine grass, and a good patch of potatoes, &c, for home consumption.

My next calling place was on one of my favorites, a man whose quiet unobstrusive ways, and skilful management of bis big farm has always been taken by mo as one of our pattern agriculturists. His neigh bors need not be told that I refer to Mr. David Butterick, who has on his mind the responsibility of working a farm of some 1,200 acres, and who seems to be able to do it without ever getting into a state of excitement over it. Ho has 230 acres, or thereabouts, in -wheat, equal to 22 bushels per acre ; 106 oats —30 bushels ; 76 bailey —3O bushels, a stack of hay of fair pro portions, and a couple of hundred acres of grass. Crossing the creek here, Sam Christie’s mansion is close handy, and his patch of land looks as if he would do well to take in a partner on the estate, one of the female gender is what I would recommend, and if the mate was a good one, I don’t know a farm in the Wakanui, where a woman’s talents, in the shape of raising ducks and green peas, could be better developed than on this same spot. Mr. Christie has not done a great deal in the shape of cropping this year on bis own place, bo having been engaged elsewhere. He lias 10 acres in wheat, estimated at 20 bushels ; 34 of oats at 25; 15 of barley, about 18 ; and 70 in permanent grass. At the junction of Christie’s road, with the Beach road, Mr Edwin Thomas’ portly form and comfortable homestead is close by, and any ac quaintance of Ted’s is never known to pass bis bouse, without calling in to ad mire the draught horses, and the beer ; and the mistress of the house is .as hos pitable as her jolly husband. The crop here is not up to what I expected to see on such good land. 35 acres of wheat on one of the best sections in the Wakanui will do well if Mr. Thomas with himself on his thrashing machine (at which he is well known as an adept) can get more than 20 bushels per acre out of it. His oats are good, and he has some GO acres, up to 45 bushels per acre ; and 20 barley, about 20 bushels. A stack of hay, a grass pad dock, and a trim well kept garden in clude all his improvements. His next neighbor on my way back home is Peter Lownie, who has a small holding of some 100 acres; but as the land is good, aud Peter knows how tq malic the beat use fif it, nobody need be surprised at his having good crops and being satisfied with the good things in this vale of tears. There are 48 acres in wheat, which will yield all of 35 bushels ; 15 acres in oats, about 25 ; and 32 in grass. The next farm is Mr. Clephane’s, who has 30 acres in wheat—2s bushels ; 25 in oats—3s bushels; and 45 in grass and clover. Thence homewards I pass Moffatt’s mill, and all the others on the Wakanui road have already been noticed. One thing worthy of remark that I may mention just here is, that the small plantations taken in hand by the County Council, are doing well, the one at the corner of the Longbeach and Great South roads having a fine lot of healthy young gums coming up! Wattles have also, been sown, but as yet they have not shown their heads above grpund. The past season has been particularly favorable to young plantations ; one I saw on Chat moss estate, just on the edge of the swamp, has shot up in a most incredible manner—the gums having grown in some cases at the rate of nearly a foot a month, since transplanted last year. And the Pinus insignis, and P. Maritima both do well, although the growth is not sp rapid.

The crops along the Groat South Road are not as a rule first class, most of the land being poor and stony. It is only so far a narrow belt along the railway line ; but as an example of what can bo done on this land by adopting the rotation system, and feeding off With sheep, I may mention a paddock of 200 acres or so on Chatmoss, which was by most people considered unfit for cultivation, being actually worse in quality than any land in the Wakanui dis trict, the stones lying on the surface, and just a sprinkling of soil between them. This land Mr. Scott cultivated and laid down in rape, fed off, then cropped with turnips, fed off again, and again repeated the pro cess. This year he prt in oats, and his labors have resulted in the granclest-look ing crop I have seen ; for, without having any great quantity of straw, the heads are large and extremely well filled, and will give an 80 bushel per acre return. The paddock shows, whore the machine has cut the oats off, a perfect mat of clover and grass. This is a sample of what can be done on poor laud by combining sheep and grain growing together. About a mile and a-half from this field, in the reclaimed portion of Mr. E. G. Wright’s swamp, is the champion wheat crop of the district. The field is about 200 acres in extent, was last year in turnips, and fed off' with sheep, and it now has a GO bushel crop on it. It is a grand sight, and indica tive of what enormous quantities of grain will be produced in the extensive swamps running right through to the sea. Dry seasons will not affect this kind of land to the extent they will the plains, as the moisture is retained for a much longer period. As pasture lands the swamps are prepared grow enough to feed 5 or 6 sheep to the acre without giving out, when once permanently laid down.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1880.



Sir George Grey.- —Sir George Grey related his grievances to the Thames elec tors on Saturday. Regarding his unseat ing for Christchurch ho said : —They (the Thames electors) were good enough to return him their representative, but to gain another seat and to promote their interest he consented to stand for Christ church. If he had been the sitting mem ber for Christchurch he would not have done less for their welfare. The dispute which arose and the determination which was come to, to unseat him for that place, was not justly arrived at. It was directly contrary to the laws of England, and a cruel thing to the electors of Christchurch, to have one forced upon thorn whom they had rejected. It was a matter in which all electors were interested, and one to which he would return next session. It had been said he intended to leave New Zealand, but he had no intention of doing so until he saw democratic institutions established and in full force.



Tenders. CARTING. TENDERS are invited 100,000 bushels "rain Particulars can be obtair MR. E. SAUI MR. 11. W. Pi Oi 4G4g saund: WAKANDI ROAD TO BUILDEE TENDERS .arc invited fo: to Overseer’s COTTA( tions can be seen at the ] and tenders will be recer on WEDNESDAY, Feb. l: FOOKS 31c—48Go Surveyors t Y. NEW ZEALAND RA KAWAKAWA RA] TAUMARERE CONTRA TION ONLY. LENC ONE MILE. Public Work Wellington, 15th Ja Y7TTEITTEN TENDERS ** at this otlice, urn WEDNESDAY the 25th F for the above contract, addressed to the Hon. the Public Works, Wellington outside “ Tender forTauma Plans and specifications n the Public Works Offices after the 21st instant, and Grahamstown, KawaKawa, and Dunedin on arrival of that date. Telegraphic ten addressed and marked, will oresented at any telegrc ■TOON of the same vided that written tender are lodged at a District Engineer’s Office by the sa accompanied by a cheque in the town where the ter such cheque to be specially banker as good for twenty to be in favor of the Rec Deposit Account only, and or order. The lowest or a not necessarily be accepted By command, JOHN BLA( 4390 Engineer in Charge, 1 To Let and for I THE undersigned has PROPERTIES to LI chasing clause, or FOR Si terms of payment— -fl KA ACRES good W] a ]] ploughed and ploughing for wheat ; situa miles from the township.



Wanted. WANTED, by a Young Widow, a SITUATION as Housekeeper to a gentleman, or Housekeeper and Gover ness to a widower with children. She teaches thorough English, French, Music, Singing, and Needlework, is a good Cook, and understands a dairy.—Apply to Mrs. C, West Oxford. 444 a SHEEP. WANTED— To PURCHASE 5000 Sound Mouthed Merinos or Cross breds, in lots. Apply to SAUNDERS BROS. 313 Ashburton. TIT ANTED Known, tlnp TWENTY Y y Words ai’c inserted in this Column for ONE SHILLING prepaid, and FORTY Words for TWO SHILLINGS prepaid. WANTED KNOWN—That we are now Selling 250 Cream Laid Commercial Envelopes for 25., cash ; 500 ditto, 3s. 6d. cash ; and 1000 ditto, 6s. Cd., for prompt cash only. Weeks & Dixon. WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained, wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at the “Herald” Office, East-street North. 642 WANTED KNOWN—That Money can be saved by purchasing your Sta tionery and Account Books, for cash, at the “Herald” and “Guardian” Whole sale Stationery Depot, Saunders’ Build ings, near Station. WANTED KNOWN—That Visiting Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “ Herald ” and “ Guardian” offices, near the Rai "'ay Station WANTED KNOWN—That the cheap est j.nd neatest CARDS may bo “'GUARDIAN OFFICE.” Amusements. TO-NIGHT. COMPLEMENTARY ENTERTAIN MG NT TO MR AND MRS. FLORENCE (Under the patronage of the Mayor and Borsmgh Councillors), ten dered by Several Vocal and Dramatic Lady & Gentlemen Amateurs of Ash ncßroN, will be held in the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, ON TUESDAY, 10th FEBRUARY. Mrs. PAIGE has kindly consented to preside at the Piano. PROGRAMME. Overture —Piano, Mrs. Paige. Trio—“ Through the World,” Mr. Branson, and Mr. and Mrs. Florence. .Song—“ The Sexton,” Mr, Pratt. Song—“ When other Lips,” Mr. Flor- Song—“ Nothing Else to Do,” Mr. Harrison. Duet—“ The Moon has raised,” Messrs Branson and Florence. Song—“ The Mountebank,” Mrs. Flo rence. Song—“ Twilight is darkening,” Mr. Branson. Duet —“ Flow Gently,” Air. and Mrs. Florence. Song—Mr. Jacobson. First part to conclude with the Prison Scene from MARITANA—Mr. Branson, and Air. and Airs. Florence. INTERMISSION OF TEN MINUTES. To conclude v ith the sparkling Come dietta—JACK’S DELIGHT, in which Messrs. Jacobson f . Pratt, Zouch, Miss Lizzie Harding, Mrs. Florence, and lady amateurs will take part. Doors open at 7. 30, to commence at 8 sharp). Box office at the “Alail” office, where plan of seats can be inspected. Prices of Admission —Front seats, 3s. ; hack 2s. 36c—4810 Meetings. TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF ASHBURTON, HUGO FRIBDLAN DER, ESQ. niR, —We, the undersigned ratepayers of the Borough of Ashburton, request you to call a public meeting at an early date to take into consideration the national distress in Ireland, and to take such steps as may be deemed necessary for the relief thereof. February 4th, 1880. F. P. O’Reilly W. H. Gundry H. M. Jones E. A. Garnett J. AI. Cambridge R. AY. Shearman T. R. Hodder G. D. Branson Jos. Ivess Geo. Jameson John Orr. C. Dixon Fred. Pavitt Win. Gavin Thos. Quill To F. P. O’Reilly, Esq., and other gentle men signing tile above requisition. Gentlemen, —In compliance with your request, I have much pleasure in CON VENING a PUBLIC AIEETING, to be held at the Town Hall, Ashburton, on WEDNESDAY, the 11th inst., at 8 p.m. HUGO FRIEDLANDER, 22c—475a' Mayor. UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. AIEETING OF RATEPAYERS. A MEETING of the Ratepayers of this Road District will take pilace on THURSDAY, the 27th inst., at 10 o’clock a. m., in the Road Board Office, for the pmrpmse of electing a member in the room of the late Mr. Charles Reed. A Foil, if demanded, will be held the same day, and close at 4 o’clock pi.m. DONALD McLEAN, Chairman. Road Board Office, 487« Westerfield, 10th February, 1880. Found. • FOUND —A Surveyors’ CHAIN. Owner can have it by paying ex penses. Geo. E. Nicholas, Ashburton Forks. 487g-41c I "HOUND, on Saturday, 7th February, j at Wakanui, a 6iin. bolt, with thumb-screw attached. Owner can have the same, on paying for this advertise ment, by applying at the Herald office. 40c Gazette in Bankruptcy. V. R. mHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN 8 (County Agricultural and Sporting Recorder) is a GAZETTE for all Notices under The Debtors and Creditors Acts.. jyj-R, FRANCIS PHILIP O’REILLY, Barrister, Solicitor, & Conveyancer, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON* Next Messrs. Orr and. Co.’s. 862 a THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. ADVERTISEMENTS received for tha GUARDIAN up) to 9 p).m. at the scale charges, afterwards at double rates for insertion over the leader



Public ITotic Liverpool and l GLOBE INSUR. PANY. Capital Reserve Fund Grain Insured whilst Grr or Stacked. Every other description rates as love as any other o LOCAL AGEIS J. Stanley Bruce A. R. Markham Y. DEAF AND DUMB I] SUMNER, CANTE THE Government havir able accommodation Canterbury, for the propo; for the Education and Tra mutes, Mr. and Mrs. Var prepared to receive pupil 1 Institution on the Ist Man information may be obtain tion to the undersigned, 01 taries of the several Educat: By order, JOHN B Education Department, Wellington, 2nd Februai REAPERS AND B 1 EMPLOYMENT for £ machines. Apply 463 g SAUND W. R. BOYI Moore street, Ash Accountant, lan and GENERAL A( Loans negotiated. Absente Agent for the Victorian I: pany. Certificated Accountab ruptcy. RATING ACT, NOTICE. mHE ASSESSMENT C( I Road Districts of M beach, South Rakaia, Moui Ashburton, Mount Som< Borough of Ashburton, for hearing and determining al the valuation list or list districts and borough will b dates and at the places foil Borough of Ashburton, o ary, at the Town Ha Road District Wakanui, at the Town Hall, A Road District Mount Hi ruary, at the Methvt Office. Road District South Ral ruary, at the South Board Office. Road District Mount Sou ruary, at the Mount Board Office. Road District Upper As February, at the We Board Office. Road District Longhead ary, at the Willowh Office. All Courts will open at T By order, C. CAVENDISH H Clerk to the Asses: Resident Magistrate’s OJ Ashburton, Cth Febru: MOUNT SOMERS RO, NOTIFICATION OF V LIST. Take notice—The LIST for the Mount District for the year 1880 FOR INSPECTION from to 15th February, 1880, at Hotel, Mount Somers. All thereto must be left at tb Office, Mount Somers, on 15th day of February, adi Judge of the Assessment Copy of every such Obje left at the Road Board < Somers, addsessed to the C Board, not less than Sevei the next sitting of the said JAMES FRASI



Business Notice!'.. VALUE EXTRAORDINARY. THE Great Bargains OP THE SEASON. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE FOR THIRTY DAYS. ORE AND CO. HAYING resolved to clear out the Balance of the Bankrupt Stocks purchased by them during the Season (amounting to over ten thousand pounds) regai’dless of cost so that they may commence the Autumn Season with en tirely a new Stock, ORR AND CO. Will also offer several cheap lots pur chased by them during the late depression. Special Bargains. 90 Pair Twilled Kaiapoi Blankets at 4s. under the usual price. Kaiapoi Flannel at Is. 4d., Is. 6d. to 2s. English Flannel at Is., Is. 2d., Is. 6d., to Is. 9d. ■ Prints at fid. and 6d., worth 9d. Brown Hollands, 7d. to Is. COSTUMES. 56 Costumes at 215., worth 355. 6d., a Bargain. 64 Print Costumes at 7s. 6d. to 12s. 6d., worth 20s. 1700 yards Dress Goods, Alpaccas, at Bd., lOd., and Is. MILLINERY. Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats at half price. 2 Boxes Flowers, sold at 6d. per spray. Ladies’ Underclothing at very much under usual prices. 20 Dozen Stays at 3s. 6d., 45., 4s. 9d., to ss. Cd. CLOTHING. Men’s Suits at 15s.'under usual prices. Boys’ Suits at 15s. 6d. to 355. Youth’s Suits at a little over half-price. Braces, Ties, Collars, Socks, and Shirts, unusually cheap. 20 Dozen Harvest Shirts at Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. BOOTS. Men’s Boots still sold at Bankrupt prices. Youth’s Boots in great variety. Ladies’ Kid Boots at old prices. 1 Case Children’s Boots at Is. and Is. 6d., a bargain. TAILORING DEARTMENT. WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING TO THE PUBLIC THAT A Tailoring Branch. HAS BEEN OPENED IN CON. NECTION WITH OUR CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, HAVING MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MESSRS. CRAIGHEAD AND CO. (LATE OF EDINBURGH AND SAN FRANCISCO), PRACTICAL TAILORS, TO MAKE UP ALL ORDERS EN TRUSTED TO US IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. A PERFECT EIT GUARANTEED. SCOTCH, ENGLISH, and COLONIAL TWEEDS IN GREAT VARIETY. THE CELEBRATED BLARNEY TWEED (CORK) KEPT IN STOCK. FANCY COATINGS IN GREAT VARIETY. SUITS from £4 4s. I DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT. Dresses, Costumes, and Jackets made up to order, under the superintendence of a first-class Dressmaker. WEDDING & MOURNING ORDERS PUNCTUALLY ATTENDED TO. ORR AND CO., IMPORTERS?! ASHBURTON AND* RAKAIA,



Business Notices. EXTRAS FOR Reapees&Bdstdees JUST ARRIVED. 0 CAS E S OF EXTRAS FOB OSBORNE McCORMICK’S AND WOOD’S REAPERS AND BINDERS. A HINT TO THE FARMER, When it is inconvenient for a farmer to come for extras, the farmer’s own order will receive prompt attention if sent direct to us. Be sure to state which kind of MACHINE YOU WANT THE EXTRAS FOB, and see if the part you wish to replace has a number, letter, or mark of any kind cast upon it. As a further security against mistakes, the order should give the full name of the part, if possible, and adding the year the machine was made. In case a part wanted has no number on it, and it cannot be distinctly de scribed by name, the broken piece may be sent to us, when it will receive PROMPT DESPATCH. FRIEDLANDER B R 9? GENERAL MERCHANTS. SOLE AGENTS FOR THE ALTHOUSE CELEBRATED SELF - REGULATING WINDMILLS AGENTS FOB THE COLONIAL FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND]