TOWN EDITION.

' [lssued at A Jjß p. m. ]

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1880. “Take Care of Dowb.”

During the short history of this colony, it has seen many changes of Ministries, but it is only now seeing a Ministry in office that has dared to lay a rude hand upon the Civil Service. Successive Governments have assumed and dropped the reins of power, but their tendency was ever to increase and not to reduce the number of people in receipt of Government pay; and to even suggest the advisableness of re ducing the amount of pay was con sidered a sort of treason to all the traditions of the colony’s political history. The memorable “Take care ofDowb” memo, that set Great Britain in atitter, had no effect in killing the power of men in British high places to take care of creatures whom it pleased them to provide for, any more than it prevented them from exercising that power, and the example set by the old statesmen at Home was only too readily copied by the statesmen of the younger coun tries amongst the southern depen dencies of Britain. To the loyalty of this colony’s statesmen to the political <£ institutions ” of the mother country — that one at least of which “ Take care of Dowb ” is an expressive motto —and to the closeness with which they have followed these institutions, and the “ Dowb ” one in particular, we owe the growth to the dimensions it has reached of our Civil Service. It may be quite true that in the ranks of the Civil Ser vice there may be many men who have waxed fat and kicked, entertaining the notion that their situations were their birthright, and that having once stepped into them they are a sort of civil ser vants of an order like that of which Melchisedec was a priest—for ever and ever; men who, riding on the top of their commission, carry things with a high hand, and “ dressed in a little brief authority play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make angels weep but the pampered puppy, though he is a common specimen, is not to be taken as a sample of the whole. There are many, very many, good men and true amongst the Go vernment servants ; men who do their work, and good work too, loyally and faithfully, and of whom the colony has no reason to be other than proud. They may, or they may not have ridden into place on a “Dowb” memo., but whether they did or not is no mat ter —they are valuable men, and the colony can only part with them with regret. That many good men must go from their positions in the present vigorous churning up the Civil Service is experiencing is undeniable, and it is to them a hardship to be thus sacrificed. Still, their sympathisers will always have the consolation of knowing that a good man’s merits in any position will be recognised, and capable civil servants will soon find a place, less cosy perhaps, but still a place amongst the workers for less exalted employers than the New Zea land Government, while the butterflies whose sole recommendation for the Civil Service was a “ Dowb ” memo, and whose work was, figuratively speak ing, to tie red tape, will find that the Government “ stroke ” and the “stroke” of men in private business are awfully different. That there have been many sinecures in the Government service is apparent from the thorough sweeping out that is now being made by the powers that be, and when bn every side we hear of this officer and the next officer being dispensed with, we naturally think that if the colony’s work can be done without all these now, and done as well, their employment all through must have been a gross waste of money. Quite a troop of high salaried men are taking their last fare well of comfortable Government billets, and making room for men who are to do more and be paid less, while we are assured that the vari ous departments will not only be far less costly, by the changes, but they will be vastly more efficient and give more general satisfaction to the public. Are we to assume from this assurance that the glut of officials have been in each other’s way, to the hindrance of work, and consequent waste of time and money, and with the inevitable result of spoiling the broth that follows upon the ministrations of too many cooks ? we fear this- is the conclusion the public will come to. Evidently Government has come to it, and having done so, have set about a weeding out that will give the fittest who have survived room to work successfully, and to the colony’s

profit. If the present is the beginning of an era in which the Government are to employ no more servants than the business of the colony actually requires, and in which “ Take care of Dowb ” will cease to be maxim for the guidance of those who are entrusted with public affairs, then the colony will have reason to be thankful, but if it is only a sweep ing and garnishing of the house pre ceding the entrance with another breeze of prosperity ot seven devils more wicked than the “my friend Dowb ” devil of the past, then we would rather be content to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of. The terrible report of the terrible Civil Service Commission, will, however, act as a charm for some time to come against the demoniacal “ Dowb ” possession of which the colony has now to a certain extent been exorcised.

C.Y.O.—A full meeting of the Ashbur ton Contingent of the cavalry is wanted at the mounted parade to-morrow night.

The Astronomer. —Mr. B. A. Proctor, the astronomer, lectured in Dunedin last night to 2000 of an audience. An UnkindParagrafh. —Regarding the recent “ bumming ” of the R.M. Court, the Auckland Star gives its readers the following scrap of information ; —The Good Templar Hall at Ashburton was lately occupied by bailiffs, who desecrated its sacred precincts with copious draughts of beer. Ashburton Trotting Club. —A meet ing of the Committee of this Club was held at Baldwin’s Hotel yesterday after noon—Mr. Stitt occupying the chair. It was resolved that the next trotting match under the auspicies of the Club should take place on the racecourse on December 16th. Mr. Cookson was elected a member of the Club, and the meeting adjourned until November 17th, at 8 p.m. Messrs. Matson, Cox and Co’s. New Buildings. —The first sale will be held in the handsome new buildings of Messrs. Matson, Cox and Co., on Friday, the 15th, when the opening will be celebrated by a luncheon. The first sale will be an im portant one, comprising land, house pro perty, business promises, sites, stock, implements, etc., and as the event will be one of importance, there will doubtless be a large turn out. The Police. —The Wellington Chronicle says :— ‘‘ It is not too much to say that the abuses of the Wellington police force (particularly in the higher ranks of officials) are a crying,scandal. There is a commis sioner who is supposed to control the North Island, and who certainly draws a high salary for a mere sinecure. There is Colonel Reader, whose public services no fellow has yet been able to discover. There is Mr. Superintendent James, a clever, courteous, and gentlemanly man— bearing an enviable reputation in every line of business, except that of a police man—but the man who can find out what Mr. James does for a living must evolve it from his inner consciousness.” . “ Whilebait at Greenwich.” A medley entertainment in which the piece de resistance will be the screaming farce “ Whitebait at Greenwich ” is to be given on Tuesday next in Ihe Seafield school room. The proceeds are to go towards purchasing a harmonium for the in stitute, but in addition to this laud able object the entertainment has an attraction of a special nature. The performers, though amateurs, are not unknown to the boards, and some cf them have won laurels before far more critical audiences than one would be likely to look for in Seafield school. A bumper house, and a repetition of the entertainment cannot fail to be the reward of the pro moters, prominent among whom, if not the moving genius, is A. M'Kellar Wix, Esq. Ashburton Racing Club. —The Com mittee of the Ashburton Racing Club met at Quill’s Commercial Hotel yester day afternoon, at 4 o’clock. Present— Messrs. Stitt (in the chair), Scott, Fooke, Jacobson, and Saunders. The minutes of last meeting having been read and con firmed, a discussion ensued upon the pro priety of amending the published pro gramme, but it was eventually resolved to make no alteration. A letter was read from Mr. Struthers, applying for a refund of the money paid for grand stand at last spring meeting, but it was decided that the application should not be enter tained. Mr. E. Griffiths was appointed handicapper for the open races, and Messrs. Neil M'Lean and S. Saunders for the district races. The Secretary was in structed to make arrangements with Messrs. Quill and Co. for sale of privileges, and to advertise the programme in the Canterbury Times. A letter was read from the Ashburton Trotting Club, offering L 3 3s. per day for use of course when re quired for its meetings. It was resolved to accept this offer. The meeting then adjourned.

Wakanui School Committee. A meeting of this Committee was held last Saturday 7, evening. Present Messrs, Earle (Chairman),"' Kilgour, Lownie, Paynter, Hill, Leadley 7 , and Brown. Cor respondence was read from the Board of Education, in reply to a letter sent to that body by the Committee, asking f tr advice respecting the alleged invalidity of the present schoolmaster’s appointment, through non-compliance with clause 72 of tha Education Act. The Board in reply stated that the appointment was strictly speaking illegal, and recommended that another meeting be convened, and the schoolmaster be re-appointed.—Copy of letter sent to the School Inspector request ing him to attend and inspect the school; and a reply to the same w'ere read to the Board, enclosing resolutions carried at the public meeting held last Thursday -week, approving of the Committee’s general management of school affairs and school funds.—From the Board in reply, asking for more information respecting dates and amounts of the several items of expenditure from the first of January 7, 1880, and the various works referred to as being paid out of the incidental allow ance. The Chairman said he had for warded the desired information, and laid a copy of his letter before the" Committee. Tha action of the Chairman was approved of. From Miss Leach, schoolmistress, asking to be allowed to conclude her duties on the 15th inst. Granted. —From the schoolmaster, Mr. M'Lauchlan, re questing the Committee to provide cer tain requisites, in order that the school might start fairly 7 . —The Chairman stated he had procured most of the articles men tioned, and they were now in the school. Action approved.—Mr. Kilgour then moved, and Mr. Earle seconded, that Mr. M'Lauchlan be re-appointed master of the Wakanui school. Carried.—Mr. Kilgour moved, and Mr. Leadley seconded, “ That for the future a uniform series of school books be adopted in this school, the series to consist of . ” Carried. —The school master was invited in to assist the Com mittee in deciding on the books to be adopted. A complete series was selected from the list given in the educational report, 1879, and for the future those books alone will be used in the school.— Mr. Kilgour moved and Mr. Leadly seconded—“ That this Committee offer Mr. M'Lauchlau the sum of L 8 per annum for cleaning the school.”—Carried. The offer was accepted by Mr. M'Lauch lan. Mr M'Lauoblan handed in an appli cation from Mrs. M'Lauchlan for the situation of schoolmistress. Proposed by Mr. Painter, and seconded by Mr. Hill, that Mrs. M'Lauchlan be appointed mistress of the Wakanui school, subject to the approval of the Board of Education. This concluded the business, and the meet ing dispersed. ‘

Mount Vesuvius has been lit up by the electric light, three lamps being placed at the tramway station, nine along the tram way, and three at the cone.

The Czar’s Yacht. —The Livadia scare originated in Geneva. The Russian police suspected that explosive coal machines had been placed on board the Russian yacht.

Telegraph Cards. —The French Go vernment have introduced telegraph cards, which are sold at post offices and tobacco si'ops for a franc. By means of these a message can be sent to any part of Paris, and a reply received without extra charge.

Mexican Seed Potatoes. —The well known writer, Mayno Reid, has been ex perimenting with Mexican seed potatoes in Herefordshire, England, thereby doubling his crop and entirely escaping the blight, which has been so fatal to the English and Irish potato crop.

Sheep Shearing. —A writer in the Town and Country says -Two hundred and four sheep were shorn in a day at Mr. John Connell’s station, Ingaalla, New England, in 1870 or 1871 ; and the same man shore 221 sheep in the same shed in 1872 ; and a man, I think, named Maunde, shore 207 sheep in 1873 at Myall Creek station, near Bingera. Another corres pondent states—A man named John Rodgers, in the year 1860, shore 222 sheep at Marsh’s station, Ifew England, 47 of which were four-year-old wethers.

Rough on the Wellington Ladies. — Writing on the Woman’s Social Congress, a meeting of which has been held in San Francisco, “ Silverpen,” in the Auckland Herald, is severe on the Wellington ladies. She says :—I remember, in Wellington, when I lived there, I never saw gossip and cold-blooded slander carried on wholesale by any other woman in any part of the world where I have been as it is there by the female population, who would even take the trouble to pay a visit to people they did not know, with the sole purpose of telling some unpleasant story about an unfortunate croa f ure who was prettier and more noticed than themselves. And I really do believe if they could in that par ticular city be induced to take up some of the scientific ivork, so widely patronised by American women of culture, they would add to their happiness, and be more beloved. lam so glad to have the oppor tunity of mentioning anything for their special benefit, hoping they may see it.

The German Army. —A German mili tary paper prints a very instructive state ment of the actual strength of the German army. On April Ist, 1881, when the organisation of the several corps lately ordered to be formed will have been com pleted, the German field army will com prise 771,749 officers and men of all ranks and arms of the service ; the reserve troops will number 341,480 of all ranks ; the Landwehr forces 293,020 ; and the garrison troops 125,824. Altogether, therefore, in the event of a general mob ilisation, Germany would have over a million and a-half of soldiers at once available. This number, however, large as it is, does not represent the total extent of the resources of the Empire, because the men of the Ersatz reserve are not in cluded in it. At the present time this Ersatz reserve consists of 340,000 men, of whom 190,000 belong to the first and 150,000 to the second-class ; and all of these would be available on the outbreak of war either for the formation of additional field battalions or for the augmentation of the Landwehr battalions.

Ashburton School Committee. —The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held in the school room last night, at which Messrs. Boyle, St. Hill, Jacobson, Bean, Andrews, and Orr were present —Mr. St. Hill being chairman in the absence of Dr. Stewart. Correspondence with the Board regarding the reduction of salaries was read. .Che rate of reduction intimated by the Board in their Secretary’s letter has already been published in these columns. The Board Secretary also wrote stating that the Board had confirmed the appointment to the school of Anno Tully and James Hender son, pupil teachers. Ho also expressed a hope that the offensive smell arising some where about the school, the matter of which was before the committee’s last meeting, had been got rid of ; he had taken note of the Committee’s recom mendation on the subject of fumigating schools during the vacations, and would bring it under notice of the Committees. Miss Stewart, the mistress of the school wrote asking for an increase of salary, and the Committee decided unanimously to recommend her application to the favor able consideration of the Board. In view of the probable readiness of the new r in fant school for opening about Christmas time, it was resolved that the Board of Education be written to on the subject of advertising for an infant school mistress. The master reported that the total num ber of attendances made during the quar ter ending 30th September, -was 37,836, The school was opened 117 times, and the strict average for the quarter was 323.28. The school was opened 111 times with not less than half the number on the roll pre sent, giving a working average of 331 %3. Last week's attendance was 1653 boys and 1630 girls. The number on the roll was 303 boys, and 215 girls. Miss A. B- Hendorson had been appointed infant, school mistress at Southbridge school, and her resignation would be submitted to the Committee. The two new pupil teachers had commenced duty. Mr. Walker, Christchurch, visited the school on Wednesday last, and examined the children in drill and gymnastics. Mr. Walker has recommended application to the Board for at least one complete ladder, the one now in use being in efficient. The inspector would examine the school on the 18th, 19th, and 20th. instant, and the needful foolscap would require to be provided. After passing several accounts the Committee ad journed.

THE POLICE CHANGES.

Re casting of the Districts

[by telegraph.]

Dunedin, Oct. 13.

The Star 3 iys : —Consequent on the police changes coming into force on the first, the Colony will be divided into eleven police districts, each in charge of an officer. In the South Island there will be six districts, namely—three in Otago ; two in Canterbury ; and one in Westland. Weldon gets charge of Dunedin, extend from the Lawrence to Oamaru ; Hickson takes the Otago goldfields; Thompson gets Southland ; Broham takes charge of Central Canterbury ; Moore, of Laurance, taking Timaru and Ashburton.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE. (Per Reuter’s Agency.) At Last.

London, October 11

The report which was made that the Sultan had offered to cede Dulcigno to Montenegro has now been confirmed. The Yankees Stirred Up.

Several American oarsmen are coming to England for the purpose of rowing against Hanlan, the Canadian, and Lay cock, the Australian, oarsmen. The Markets, Three per cent. Consols, Adelaide flour, per 2801b5., ex warehouse, 355. 6d.; Mew Zealand wheat, ex ship, 465. Best Australian leather, ll£d.; Australian sides are in fair demand for most descriptions. The “ Times ” Pleads.

The Times, in a leading article to-day, strongly urges giving respite to the Porte, in view of the cession of Dulcigno to Montenegro.

Captain Barry’s Lecture.

(From the Press.

Last night, at the Academy of Music, Captain Jackson Barry gave, or rather at tempted to give his lecture on fifty-two j'cars’ colonial experience. There was a fairly numerous audience, who waited in quiet expectation for some little time after the appointed hour. Ten minutes, a quarter, twenty minutes past eight ar rived but brought with it no Captain Barry. Ultimately, however, Mr. George Beatty proposed that Mr. William Wil son take the chair.

Mr. Wilson stepped upon the stage, and, in a few mellifluous sentences, intro duced Captain Jackson Barry. The Captain, on rising to begin his lecture, was received with cheers and a remark from an excited gentleman in the circle, “ Letsh (hie) hear the Queensh letter.” After some little time Captain Barry got well under weigh with his early life and experiences, only interrupted now and again by the same ■ gentleman, who had evidently been looking on tho wine when it was red, and who every now and then expressed his desire—which appeared to be a most overpowering one—to hear “the Queensh lettersh.” Several.what our American cousins would call rather steep anecdotes were told by the Captain, particularly where he related one of the murders of the blacks, in which he de scribed the murderers as “ ’eaping their bodies in ’eaps.” Next Captain Barry, amid yells of incredulity, told his boss yarn of his sojourn on the whale. “ Ladies and gentlemen,” said tho Captain, “for twelve 'ours Ave sat on the dead whale, and ’eld on by our ’arpoons till Ave Avere picked up.” It is to be regretted that some of the audience here began to throw a number of eggs. The first of these narroAvly escaped the Captain, lodging behind, against the scene, with an ominous sound. Then came a dropping shoAver of eggs, but the Captain, true to his colours,did not flinch. The chairman, however, deeming discre tion the better part of valour, veiled his blushes discreetly behind a pot plant which was on the table.

Captain. Barry, boiling over with righteous indignation, gesticulated fiercely at the audience, and finally made his exit at the wing, making gestures of contempt.

The Chairman then said that for thirteen years he had always been listened to with profound attention at public meetings in Christchurch, because he was one of the most fluent speakers in the colony. [The gentleman in the circle—“ Readsh the Queen’s lettersh. ”] Was it the pleasure of the audience that Captain Barry should be heard? [Cries of “ Yea, yes.”J The Captain then returned, and said that he considered it a disgrace to Canter bury that a grey-haired man should be treated the way lie had been. Speaking of what he [had done for the working classes, “ I have persuaded no one,” said the Captain, “ to break hup their ’omes on one hundred and twenty platforms in that country. There’s not one of you, hold or young, as will say houtside this ’all, Captain Barry, I throwed a hegg at yer. I spotted a hegg a coming from one

of the would be leading men, and believe you me, I’ll ’ave you hup for it.” [The gentleman in the circle —“ Read ush the Queensh lettersh.”] “This haudience is not worthy reading it to even. You have had your sport, now I’ll ’ave mine. Good night.” So saying, the Captain struck a melodramatic attitude at the first entrance on the prompt side and went off, exclaim in, in deep tragedy tones worthy of Mr. C. Burford, “ You are hall a lot of curs.” The green curtain was then lowered and the proceedings terminated.

Angelic Appearances.

A very disagreeable affair recently occurred at New Hampshire, and has created an exceedingly painful sensation there. The Rev. Mr. White is the minister of a sect known as the “Angelic Believers,” and preaches every Sunday to his congre gation in the village of Passamawachburch, New Hampshire. The Angelic Believers hold to the opinion that enough attention has not been paid to angels, who, if pro perly treated, would pay occasional visits to respectable believers. Mr. White, in a sermon which he preached one day last month, remarked that “ angels is liable to turn up anywheres,” and stated that he should not be surprised at receiving at any moment a visit from these celestial beings. Amongst those present when this sermon was delivered were three boys— two of them brothers, by name Roberts, and the other a boy named George Blod gett—all three summer visitors from Boston. The next evening Master Blod gett, having borrowed three of his sisters’ nightgowns, arrayed himself and the two Masters Roberts in those garments, on which he had stitched chickens’ wings, and with white handkerchiefs foldedround their heads, to make the illusion more complete, the three unprincipled youths proceeded to Mr. White’s house and knocked at the door. The reverend gentleman at first requested his visitors to go away, but on being . informed that they were angels who had called to thank him for his complimentary remarks, at once admitted them with a warm wel come. Master Blodgett then suggested that either a kid or a fatted calf should be killed and roasted for supper. Mr. White expressed his profound regret that he had no kids or calves on his premises, but brought out some cold pork from his larder. The angels, however, indignantly refused to eat the pork, upon which Mr. White killed and prepared to broil a chicken, and produced a bottle of cider and some dough-nuts. Mrs. White entered the room, and was introduced to them with much pride by her husband. Being struck, however, by the smallness of their wings, she examined them closely, and discovered on each of their garments the initials of Master Blodgett’s sister, she indignantly exclaimed that she had herself washed “ all three of them nightgowns,” and immediately locking the door, pro ceeded, with the assistance of Mr. Wl\itc, whose anger was also aroused, to administer a sound thrashing to the angels by means of a stout broomstick. At the end of about 15 minutes the broomstick broke, when Master Blodgett and his companions were allowed to depart on payment $2 each, the estimated cost of the supper. A schism has since arisen among the Angelic Believers, some of whom fairly believe that the Rev. Mr. White’s visitors were genuine angels, and should have received better treatment.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE DISRUPTION A TALE OF TRYING TIMES.

CHAPTER XXX. Miserable comforters arc ye all.- JOB.

While Mr. Duncanson was gradually getting into a state of convalesence, he was visited by many friends and ac quaintainces, who all, in their own way, condoled with him. Among others, the Rev. Mr. Aspen and his lady, the hero and heroine of the experimental dinner, paid him a visit. They both expressed much regret at the accident which had rendered him an invalid; and Mrs. Aspen spoke sincerely, but the genuineness of her husband’s sympathy may be questioned. Un wittingly, however, the lady touched a painful chord in the young man’s feel ings, by referring to current rumors. “ I am sorry to hear,” she said, after making a circuit to the point, “ that your misfortune has been taken advan tage of, by the young man who lodged with you, to requite all your kindness to him with dishonesty.” “ I beg your pardon, madam,” re plied the student, “ but I must tell you you labor under some mistake in this ; you have been greatly misinformed.”

“ Indeed ! Mr. Duncanson. Then I am very glad to hear it. But have you really not been robbed by your fellow lodger ?” “ Oh, not at all. I believe he is as honest a lad as ever breathed; at any rate, so far from robbing me, he has been the means of recovering the money of which I was robbed by others; and that is by no means the only proof he has given me of the goodness of his disposition. “ Well, sir, I am so glad to hear it; but we heard that he played the rogue and robbed you of a considerable sum.” “ No, no, my dear,” said Mr. Aspen, “ you know that was only a surmise. What we heard was, that a pocket-book belonging to Mr. Duncanson was found in this lad Afleck’s possession, and it was only supposition from that circum stance—very naturally too—that he had stolen the money which the book contained when it went amissing.” “ I do assure you,” said the student, “ that Robert Afleck is not only blame less in the matter but deserving of the highest credit.” “ Ay, ay,” replied the clergyman, “do you say so? It is strange, then, that he has absconded at the very first appearance of inquiry into this and some other delinquency he is said to have been concerned in.”

“Are such reports in circulation, Mr. Aspen ? ” inquired the young man, with evident anxiety. “In circulation ! yes ; the whole town is ringing with them ; and let me tell you candidly, my dear sir, they tend very much to your disadvantage, for they represent the affair as mysteri ous, not to say suspicious. You are said to have been very desirous to hush it up, and, for reasons best known to yourself, to have connived at Afleck’s escape from justice.” “ Really, Mr. Aspen, these are intol erable aspersions. I say distinctly, Mr. Afleck never wronged me, nor I believe any one else, of a penny. The money I lost has been recovered again, and chiefly through his instrumentality. Why, then, should he or I be exposed to injurious suspicions on the subject ?” “ Nay, that I cannot tell, Mr. Dun canson; but you know it is human nature to be uncharitable. Human nature, sir—fallen, corrupt human na ture.”

After Mr. Aspen suggested this comprehensive explanation, he rose as if to depart, and was followed by his wife; but he immediately stopped

short and said to her—“ Rachael, you may step on slowly by yourself a little way, for I wish to have a few words privately with our young friend.” Say ing this, he took his seat again, and the lady left the room. When she was fairly out of hearing, he in the blandest manner, addressed Mr. Duncanson as follows : —“ Now, my dear sir, I only wish to assure you that whatever pre judices may exist against you, I, for my part, entertain none of them. The sus picion, no doubt, is afloat that your reluctance to allow any inquiry about the money of which you were robbed, arose from a wish to conceal the source from which you had obtained it.” “ Well, what if I did ? ”

“ Yes, as you say—what if you did ? You might not wish it to be known, and yet have no great reason to be ashamed of it after all.” “ Indeed I had not.”

“Well, that is just what I thought. Even if you received the money from those of another communion—”

“ But I protest—” “ There is no need of you to be ashamed of it for—”

“ But I tell you plainly--” “ For I am above believing that aid from Episcopalians—” “ I assure you I have accepted of no aid from Episcopalians.” “Is to be rejected on Christian grounds ; and I do not think the less of you if you have—” “ Will you not hear me when I say I have not taken it on any grounds ? I have had nothing to do with Episco pacy.” “ Indeed ! then lam sorry for it.”

“ Why should that make you sorry ?” “ Because, young friend, I fear, I fear, you cannot have any cause as excusable for concealment, But with your own conscience I leave it.” “My conscience acquits me of blame Mr Aspen.” “ Very well, sir, see it be so; but I must confess I have my doubts now.” “ You prove your own remark—it is human nature to be uncharitable.” “ I remark further—it is human to err. I fear you have erred grevdously, but we all err ; so good morning, Mr. Duncanson —good morning.” So saying, this modern Teraanite left the room, and had not been long away when a Bildad and Zophar appeared in the persons of his brother clergymen, Messrs. B. and C. They also came to console the sensitive youth, as the east wind soothes an unskinned sore. They wore a look of grave concern; their faces were elongated for the occasion to a solemn pitch of expression, and their heads were poised with nice pre cision, ready to be shaken on the shortest notice. *‘Brother, brother,” said they both at once, as they each held out a hand to the student, “it grieves us to see you in affliction but there was more of reproach than sympathy in their tone and manner. After conversing for some time in a professional rather than a familiar or friendly manner, and trying to impress on M’ - . Duncanson, by inuendo rather than by direct accusation that he was in a very unfortunate position, but less to be pitied than censured, Mr. B. formally proposed to offer up a petition for htfn. The student started at the proposal; and wondering if anything in his appearance indicated danger which he did not feel, he took a side long peep into a looking-glass before he said a word in reply. When he was satisfied by this hasty glance that he did not exhibit any alarming symptoms, he turned to his visitors with some sur prise and said, “ I am certainly obliged to you gentlemen, for your kindness, and shall at all times be glad to have an interest in your prayers ; but I must confess I am at a loss to see any special reason you can have at this time for solicitude on my account.” “ Mr. Duncanson, Mr. Duncanson,” said the Rev. Mr. C, in a measured, sententious manner, “ your words savor of a dangerous confidence, and insensi bility to your own condition.” “ I am sorry you should think so, for you wrong me, I assure you. I trust lam seriously alive to the imperfections and short comings which I share in common with all the race of Adam. All I insist on is, that I know of nothing peculiar in my case to awaken any extraordi nary uneasiness among my friends.” “ What you say, my dear young friend, is just a proof that you are in a state of false security, and much in need of faithful admonition and earnest supplication in your behalf. 111, in deed, does it become your profession to object to an exercise at all times wholesome and profitable—” “ Nay, but hear me ! I don’t object except as far as—” “It becomes you ill to object at all, to refuse on any grounds to let your case be made the subject of earnest —” “ Well, I waive all objections if Mr. B. will please to proceed.” Mr. B. accordingly stood up, and placing himself in a devotional attitude, commenced to pour forth a torrent of fervid language, profusely garnished with scriptural phraseology, and pointed with unmistakable reference to the supposed case and conduct of the invalid. He prayed that the young man might be led to see the evil of his ways, and return from his backslidings; that he might take shame to himself, and be humbled in mind for what he had done amiss: that his short-comings and faults might not be followed by others, or allowed to bring discredit on a good cause; and finally, that he might be converted from a stumbling block into a pillar of the Church and a chosen vessel of the sanctuary. Every wend of this effusion of mis taken zeal smote the student’s soul with the force of wrong and insult, and made his cheek burn and his heart swell painfully. At its conclusion he looked sternly, first at the one, and then at the other of his tormentors, and said, in a voice so choked by agi tation as to sound like ventriloquism— “ What is the meaning of all this ?” The request was met by another— “ Why, Mr. Duncanson, should you pretend to be ignorant of matters com monly talked of in public?” “ I know not what is said in public,” replied the student with the animation of uncontrollable anger—“ I know not what is said in public ; but I demand to hear from you distinctly the charges against me.”

Mr. B.—“ Dou you mean to deny that you have secretly gone over to the Episcopalians ?” Mr. C —“ Or that 'you have been re ceiving their money ?” Mr. B. —“ Or that you have also ob

tained money on false pretences from your Presbyterian friends and rela tives ?”

Mr. C.—“ Or that you have been spending these sums in a clandestine, if not an immoral manner?”

Mr. B.—“ Or that you have ‘been robbed in very suspicious circum stances ?”

Mr. C.—“Or that you have been using means to hush up the affair, and dare not venture to accuse those who robbed you for the fear of disclosing your own misconduct ?’•’ “Deny?” exclaimed the student. “ Yes, I not only deny, but despise such monstrous imputations.” Mr. B. —“Don’t despise them, Mr. Duncanson, if they are true —if they have any truth in them—they are not to be despised.” Mr. D.—“ I tell you solemnly, there is not the slightest particle of truth in them.”

Mr. C.—“ Very* good ;if that is the case, all good and well; but remember, young friend, you cannot be exculpated till you have clearly established your innocence.”

Mr. , D.—“ lam not acquainted with any mode of proving a negative. Do you know of any ? ”

Mr. C.—“ That is an evasion Mr. Duncanson.” Mr. D.—“ It is no evasion. I scorn evasion as much as I scorn unfounded aspersions, which only the malicious can originate, or the uncharitable can believe,” Mr. C. —“Do you mean to say that I am malicious ? ”

Mr. B.—“ Or that... I. am unchari table.” Mr. D.—“ I leave the matter with your own consciences, gentlemen. Let them judge between you and me, and decide whether or not you have, without cause, taken up evil reports against me.”

Messrs. B. and C. —“'We have done nothing of the kind; we have acted only as your friends.” Saying this, simultaneously, the reverend gentle men, drily bid adieu, and left the house.

They were almost immediately suc ceeded by Sir John Baldwin and Simon M'Quirkie, who*came on a similiar mission, but were actuated by very different motives. The Baronet’s manner was expressive of kindly con cern, while Mr. M'Quirkie, under the affectation of sympathy, betrayed secret glee and satisfaction. Sir John opened the conversation by alluding delicately to the circumstances in which he understood Mr. Duncanson was placed, and from what he said it soon appeared that he had been grossly mis informed, but was by no means dis posed to be censorious. Mr. M‘Quir kie enacted the part of the candid friend to perfection, and inwardly chuckled with delight when he found an opportunity of inflicting torture while pretending to administer con dolence.” ( To be continued—commenced on yuly 56.)

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1880.



Special Advertisements. THE BEST VALUE for READY MONEY IS THB MEN’S) CLOTHING (AND BOYS’) MANUFACTURED BT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, now established all over New Zealand. The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior quality and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best descrip tion. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout can be equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked m plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satis faction. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THB WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarfs, Bags, Portmanteaus, Rugs, and Blankets at Wholesale Prices. THOUSANDS OF DISCERNING CUSTOMERS Testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch : EAS T STREET. WM, SPARROW, 910 c Manager.



One More. Obituary—Sir William Linton. Another American Smash. New York, Oct. 11. A serious railway accident is reported as having occurred at Pittsburg, Pennsyl vania, to an excursion train, by which twenty persons have been killed. AUSTRALIAN. {Per Reuter’s Agency.) Oats. Melbourne, Oct. 12. New Zealand oats, feeding, 2s. 4d.; milling qualities, 2s. Bd. Back Again. Dr. Hector, Commissioner to the Inter national Exhibition, has returned to New Zealand. Shipping. Sailed—Potomahana, for the Bluff. The Cup. Mata is backed for the Cup at 15 to 1. NEW ZEALAND (Per Press Association.) Going. Auckland, Oct. 13. Judge Gillies and G. S. Graham, manager of the Colonial Insurance Com pany, were passengers by the Surat, on September 24th. A Pawnbroker’s Trouble. A pawnbroker applied to the R. M. under section 37, of the Pawnbrokers Act, for compensation for stolen goods ho had been compelled to surrender. The magistrate declined the application. Benedictines for Auckland. The Bight Rev. Lord Abbott Alcock and the Bev. Bracken, Benedictines, ar rived by the Australia, to establish a branch of the Order here. The Austra lian Catholic Benefit Society will present an address. Trout Ova. A large quantity of trout ova is being distributed in the country districts. Preserved Meat. The Auckland Meat preserving Com pany is rapidly extending its operations. Its shipments are principally to country saivmills, the gumfields, and the South Sea Islands. Prices are 30 per cent, below the imported article. The plant is capable of throwing out six hundred tons weekly. Arts. The Auckland Society of Arts holds its annual exhibition in March. Wanderers. Wellington, Oct. 13. Three boys, of ages running from 14 to 16, left their homes on Saturday morning, taking with them a horse, arms, and am munition. Nothing has been heard of them since, but it is supposed they are in the Wairarapa district. The police are making enquiries. A Young Thief. Timaru, Oct. 13. A girl named Greaves, or Green, aged seventeen, was charged to-day with the larceny of five pounds belonging to a widow lady in Timaru. Accused was formerly an inmate of the Christchurch Orphanage. She represented herself to be a governess, and repaid the widow’s hospitality by stealing the money during her absence and decamping to Dunedin. As the girl refused to plead, she was remanded till Saturday. Shipping. Dunedin, Oct. 13. The Te Anau spoke the barque Lutter worth, London to Auckland, off Solandors. By the Cygnet from Auckland, news comes of the drowning of the master of the cutter John Owens. Good Work. The Weatherstoncs Cement Company washed up 133 ounces for four weeks’ crushing, making 667 ounces for ninety days. They have paid 2s. 9d. dividend per scrip. The Kyeburn Murder. It has been suggested that the LIOO offered by Government in connection with the Kyeburn murder should be divided amongst the principal witnesses other than the police. Too Much Peed. Invercargill, Oct. 13. Two horses, valued at LGOcach, belong ing to a settler near Riverton, have died from an overdose of wheat (fowl’s feed), a bag of which had been left by a neighbor on an rnfencod section.



Holloway's Pills.—lt is difficult to de termine what is the more trying to health, intense cold or excessive heat, though every body knows that sudden transitions from the one to the other teem with disease, which may in most instances be staved off by .an early resort to these purifying, regulating, and strengthening Pills. This well known and highly esteemed medicine affords a safe and easy remedy for almost every constitutional wrong which climates, changes, or dietetic errors can engender’ and effectually removes any Weakness self-indulgent habits may have induced. In all conditions of the system bordering on discense indicated by apathy, listlessless, and restlessness, Holloway’s Pills will prove espicially serviceable in begetting a vivacity appreciated by both sound and sick.



Wanted. TSTANTED—A smart LAD as Appren- V V tic® to the Cabinetmaking business. Apply John Meech, Burnett street. 4d ANTED—A NURSE GIRL. Apply to Mrs. F. P. O’Reilly, Cox Street. 300 q 5d WANTED— Two GENTLEMEN to Board in the house of a private family, unexceptional reference regarding the cuisine. Address, X.Y.Z., office of this paper. 987 c CONTRACT PLOUGHMEN. WANTED, TENDERS for PLOUGH ING about 200 acres Tussock Land near Coldstream. Tenders to close October 18, 1880. For particulars apply to 296 g C. H. DOWDING. Amusements. SEAFIELD SCHOOL. A MEDLEY ENTERTAINMENT, Consisting of Songs, Recitations, Instrumental Music, and a Screaming Farce, entitled, WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH Will be given at the SEAFIELD SCHOOLROOM, On TUESDAY, the 19th iyst. Doors open at 7.30. Performance to com mence at 8 o’clock prompt. The proceeds will go towards purchasing a Harmonium for the Institute. 301 A. M'KELLAR WIX.



Public Notices LL DEBTS due to Ashburton Herald and Guardian business must be Paid to Mr, S. E. Poyntz, on behalf of the Assignees, at the Guardian Office, East street, Ashburton, and his receipt alone will be a sufficient discharge. S. SAUNDERS, “ For Self and Co-Assignees. CY. C. —A MOUNTED PARADE of • the Ashburton Contingent of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry will be held TO-MORROW (THURSDAY) NIGHT at SIX o’clock sharp. The troop will meet at the post-office, and a full muster without fail is requested.—G. F. Scott, Drill Instructor. 305 FARMERS, remember that you can get a first-class loaf of BREAD at Axxken’s, near Guardian office. 303 BEST IN TOWN. Aitken’s Cakes, Pastry, and Biscuits, are acknow ledged to be the best and cheapest in Ashburton. Aitkbn, Baker, &c,, Saun- WILL be given so that it will lead to the conviction of the party or parties who maliciously BROKE the LOOKS on the Gates, between September 10th and 26th nit., on Section 30758, on the old track from the Hinds Railway Station to Coldstream Homestead. ders’ buildings. 304 £5 REWARD 302 C. H. DOWDING, Manager.



Public Notices. LONGBEACH ROAD DISTRICT. ELECTION OP MEMBERS. IVTOTICE is hereby given that a MEET ING of the Ratepayers of the Longbeach Road District will be held at the Board’s Office, on Longbeach Road, on MONDAY, the 25th day of October, 1880, at the hour of eleven in the fore noon, for the purpose of NOMINATING and, ELECTING two persons eligible to serve as Members of the Board for the above District, in the places of Messrs. E. G. Wright and Joseph Clark. ' A poll, if required, will be taken at the same place immediately after the nomin ation, closing at four o’clock p.m. W. CUTHBERT, Returning Officer. Longbeach Road, 7th October, 1880. 2970 THE NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OP AUSTRAL ASIA (LIMITED). Established 1869. I ' Actuary and Secretary —J. M. Templeton, F.I.A. The MOST LIBERAL and* EQUIT ABLE OFFICE for Life Assurance in the Australasian Colonies. The best office for young men. Profits divided every three years. Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, and Hobart Town.



The New Zealand Branch —A LOCAL INSTITUTION, investing all moneys in the colony. Resident Secretary Thomas Swain, Temple Chambers, Featherston street, Wellington. Agent for the County of Ashburton — S. SAUNDERS (of the firm of Saunders Bros.), Ashburton. Note the name—The National Mutual. 169-218 co THE NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COMPANY ; (LIMITED). WOOL SEASON—IBBO-1881. SPECIAL NOTICE' TO SHEEP FARMERS. THE Company makes LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES on WOOL entrusted to its care for sale in the London market. This being one of the leading ments of the Company’s business, and an expert and practical staff being employed by its London House especially to superin tend the classification, valuation, and dis posal of wool consignments, growers may rely upon their clips being carefully handled and placed to the best advan tage. Further information may be obtained upon application at the Company’s office. Cathedral Square, Christchurch. 283 a BRANSON & PURNELL, BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS EAST STREET,



Tenders UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for the following WORKS ; No. 88.—Forming 40 chains, more or less, Cross Road opposite Mr. E. Corbett’s, Alford Forest Road. No. 89.—Picking stones off Hinds Road towards Westerfield (about six miles). No. 90. —Picking stones off Road on same estate (about 3J miles). Tenders, addressed to the Chairman,' to be sent in not later than MONDAY, 25th inst., at noon. For Specifications, Ac., apply to ROBT. D. PDLLAR, 299 q Clerk, Meetings. LOCAL INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.



THE MONTHLY MEETING of the above is called for WEDNESDAY, October 13th, at the Town Hall, at 7 p. m. Sub-Committees are requested to bring up written reports on the various subjects. STEPHEN E. POYNTZ, 3d Hon. Sec. THE ASHBURTON TOWN HALL COMPANY (LIMITED). AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the Shareholders in the above Company'will be held in the Town Hall, Ashburton, on TUESDAY, the 19th day of October, 1880, at 8 o’clock in the Evening, for the undermentioned purposes ; - - 1. To consider the_ advisability or other wise of increasing the nominal value of shares. 2. To consider the advisability or other wise of reducing the quorum of shareholders necessary to be present at meetings before business can be transacted. 3. To regulate the election and retire ment of Directors of the Company and their powers and business.. Dated this 9th day of October, 1880. THOS. BULLOCK, 991 c Chairman of Directors.



Consultations. J. L. FLEMING’S GRAND CONSULTATION. ON THE ANTERB U R Y 0 U P To be Run in November. 2000 SUBSCRIBERS AT 10s. EACH. First Horse... ... ...£4OO Second Horse ... ... 150 Third Horse ... ... 100 Other Starters (divided) ... 350 Non-starters (divided) ... 200 If cheques are sent exchange must bo added, and stamps enclosed for reply and result.



J. L. FLEMING, Next Bank of New Zealand, I9lg Hereford street, Christchurch. Gazette in Bankruptcy. R. •jq-OTICE — The Ashbukton Gu akdiak is a Gazette for all noticea under the Debtors and Creditors Arte. WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES.' JW. M‘RAE begs to inform the . public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg,, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. ' Lowest prices and beat attention. 908c—2860