SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For Wellington— Wanaka, This Day, Saturday, March 13. Passengers by 7‘20 p.m. train. To be followed by Ladybird, on Tues day, March IC. For Napier, Gisborne. Tauranga and Auckland Wanaka, This Day, Saturday, March 13. Passengers by 7.20 p.m. train. To be followed by Rotomahana, on Thursday, March 18. .For Port Chalmers —Hawea, This Day, Saturday, March 13. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed by Arawata, on Tues day, March 16. For Melbourne, via Bluff Arawata, Tuesday, March 16. Passengers by 2'40 train. To be followed by Tararua, Tuesday, March 23, not calling at Hobart Town. For Sydney —Te Anan, Thursday, March 25. For Picton, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau Ladybird, Tuesday, March 16. Passengers by 355 p.m. train.

COMMERCIAL.

ASHBURTON RETAIL LIST. ,r. d. s, d.

THE CHRISTCHURCH CORN EX CHANGE. The following is the report of the Christchurch Corn Exchange for the week ending Friday evening, the 12tli in stant : Tho week that has passed has been but a prototype of its predecessor ; the same apathy prevailing that was its characteris tic. Grain, notably wheat, continues to arrive in largo quantities, nearly the whole of which is being shipped for Eng land. The large quantity which will this year be placed on the London market, and the quality being good, will do much to wards raising the standard of New Zea land wheat. The values remain un changed. Fine weather continues to pre vail. Wheat—Good milling samples are readily saleable at 45., delivered in Christ church. Good seconds will command 3s. 6d ; chick wheat, 3s. to 3s. 3d. Barley—Several parcels are now coming to hand. Business is being done at from 3s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per bushel for good malt ing qualities ; inferior and feed parcels are by no means saleable. Oats—The bulk of the yield is being held back. Sales are taking place at from Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per bushel, the market being dull. Grass seed—Grass seed is not much in quired for ; large stocks on hand, with but few purchasers. A few sales are affected at from 2a. Od. to 2s. 9d. per bushel. Potatoes —Potatoes are being inquired for, but very low prices are offered. No sales of any importance have taken place; it is therefore premature to name a price. Cheese and butter—For the former SJ. to Sid., with a moderate demand ; 7d. to 7£d."for the latter, with a better inquiry. [by TELEGRAPH.] Dunedin, March 12. Prime fat beef, 225. Gd. per 100 lbs ; mutton, ij-i. wheat 4s. to? 4s. 4d.; fowl’s wheat, 3s. to 3s. 3d.; oats Is. 4d. to Is. 7d.; barley, ss. to ss. Gd.; feed, 3s. to 3s. 6d.: potatoes, L 3 10s.; round, pota toes, L 3 ; old hay, L 4 ; new hay, L 3 5s ; chaff, L 3 10s; straw, L2 : bran, L 4; pollard, L 5; flour, large sacks, Lll to Lll 10s.; oatmeal, Lll; pearl barley, L 26 ; onions, 75.; new cheese, 5d to 6d ; bacon, rolled, 10d.; hams, Is.; sides bacon, lOd.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— Saturday, March 13. For Otago, per Hawea. For Northern Forts, per Wanaka. t Tuesday, March 16. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Arawata. For Chatham Islands, per Island Lily, at 9.30 a.m. ; guard’s van, 10.30 a. in. train. The next mail for the United Kingdom, via San Francisco, will be closed at Christ church on March 27th, and will be due in London on May 11th. SYDNEY J. DICK, Chief Postmaster. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 10.20 a.m. 4.30 p.m., and 8 p.m., daily. For Chert-ey at 10.20 a.m daily. For Rakaia at 10.20 a.m and 4.30 p.m daily. For. Dunedin, Tinwakl Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Kangilata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10.20 a.m, daily. For Tevnukn. Timarn, and South at 10.20 a.m and 3.30 p.m daily. For Greenstreet y Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10.30 a.m For Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, at 3. p.m. dally. For Wakanui and Scafield, on Mondays and Thursdays, 7.30 p.m. - W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALE. This Day. By Messrs. Edmislon Bros, and G undry, at their Rooms, East street, at 2 o’clock —I,OOO Pot Plants.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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

The Ashburton Guardian. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL & SPORTING RECORDER SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1880.

Window Smashing. —A man named Burnard was lined L 5 and costs at Rakaia on Thursday, by Mr. Guinness, R.M., and a Bench of magistrates, for smashing the windows ofa bakehouse at Chertsey on Christmas eve. The report of the Bench’s sitting, as well as other matter, is held over, owing to the length of the report of the libel case heard in the Ashburton Court yesterday. The San Francisco Mail. —The Wai taki, with the San Francisco mail, is de layed at Maniikau, bar-bound,, through stress of weather. Drunks. —“Captain” Parker West and John Ryan paid the usual penalty yester day for drunkenness. “Mrs. Brown”. —Arthur Sketchley gave his racy recapitulations of “ Mrs. Brown’s ” doings in the Town Hall on Thursday night to a very limited audience but the entertainment was much ap preciated. The Unemployed. —Mr. Austin, Dis trict Engineer, has just returned to Christ church, having made arrangements for the employment of unemployed on the terms mentioned by the late telegram from the seat of Government. Provision has, apparently, been made for married men to take up their wives and families. Important Land Sale. —Messrs. Edmis ton Bros, and Gundry will sell by public auction,'on Thursday next, the 18th inst., a very valuable farm near the Hinds. It is known as Auchindrane, and consists of a block of 70S acres of really first-class grain growing laud, and it has the advan tage of being - within some two miles of the Hinds railway station, and the land will be put up in convenient-sized blocks suitable for small capitalists, varying from 58 up to 500 acres At the same time there will be offered a lot of first-class draught horses, unbroken colts, farming implements, chaff, oats, and furniture. Conveyances will be ready at Winslow to meet the express, and intending pur chasers will be enabled to attend the sale at noon, vvhen the auctioneer will com mence the slaughter. A Refugee. —With reference to the cablegram on Tuesday which mentioned that the Russian Government had un successfully endeavored to procure the ex tradition of a Russian named Hartmann, who is charged with being concerned in sotting fire to the Forestry College in Moscow, the Dunedin “ Star” says : “ Hartmann is the man’s name, and he is a sapper. He is believed to be the prime mover in the attempt on the Czar’s life at Moscow. The Staroveis, who occupied the house adjoining that from where the excavation was dug towards the railway line, identified Hartmann as the skilled engineer who superintended the work, and as the man who bought the house and superintended the excavation of a cellar, as he took care at the time to inform his neighbors. Another fact established _by the Russian police is that Hartmann, im mediately after the failure of the attempt on the Czar’s life, obtained leave of absence, and crossed the frontier,”

Minn ary Fete. —A 'grand military fete, comprising cavalry tournament, &c., lias been arranged to take place at the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion, Christchurch, on Saturday, March 27th. ,' \ : Arrival of the Matauba. —The Now Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, has received cable advice from Loudon of the arrival of the Mataura, all well, after a passage of seventy-nine days from Port Chalmers.

Pedestrianism. —Mr. F. Simpkins, at Hagley Park course on Thursday, ran 440 yards in a minute with two seconds to spare, winning L 5 from a gentleman who backed time. “Paddy’s Market.” —Stall-holders in the new “ Paddy’s Market,” recently formed in the Christchurch market place have been served with notice from the City Council to-day, that they must sell no thing but fish, meat, farm, garden, and colonial produce. The Oarandinis. —On Monday and Tuesday evenings, the 22nd and 23r l inst., the music-loving portion of Ash burton will be treated to a most enjoyable entertainment, when Madam Carandini and her Company of vocalists will give entertainments in the Town Hall. Mr. Walter Sherwiu and Madame Carandini have been so long before the public that we think they must be gifted with eternal youth. They are accompanied by Miss Marie Carandini, Miss Josephine Deakin, and Mr. Gordon Gooch, all of whom are very highly spoken of by the northern papers. Miss Marie is especially spoken of as a vocalist of superior voice. We trust that such an audience will attend the Hall as the quality of the entertainment deserves. Presentation. — On Thursday after noon, upon the visit of the officials to the Quarantine Station at Ripa Island, Lyt telton Harbor, the immigrants assembled in the married people’s mess-room for the purpose of making a presentation to Dr. Russell, surgeon of the Westland. The testimonial consisted of a gold breastpin with pearl setting, and a pair of binocular glasses, on which, engraved on a silver plate on the cover, were expressed the circumstances and occasion of the presen tation. A Fortunate Criminal. —A man who was recently sentenced to two years’ im prisonment in Wellington for obtaining money by false representations, had pre viously spent LI of his plunder in taking a ticket in a sweep on the Wellington Cup. His .ticket drew Hailstorm, and the value of the prize was L2O0 —a nice little sum with which to start again when his sentence expires. Riflemen Cricketers. —Eleven Nelson cricketers played twenty-two of the rifle men who attended the prize meeting, and beat them by GO, scoring 108 against the Volunteers’ 48. The Waitaki County Counoil and the Unemployed. —At a meeting of the County Council on Thursday a resolution was carried to the effect that LIO,OOO of the funds of the Council should be de posited at interest. It was in overt, as an amendment, that, in view of the large number of unemployed, the money should be spent in road-making, but the amend ment was lost. The Gang Ploughs. —There was not much interest taken in the exhibition of the gang ploughs on Thursday, owing to the scant notice given of the event. Three machines turned up on the ground, viz., a treble-furrow and a double-furrow, manufactured by Carr and Hobson—very Yankee looking structures. The treble furrow plough was the only one worked of the two, and it is no doubt an admirable implement for light land, which has been previously operated upon by a heavier plough. The width turned over in the three furrows was about 2 feet 9 inches, and the depth 5 to 6 inches. A three-horse team did not seem to bo very much distressed with the amount of work they bad to do, as the horses went merrily along at about four miles an hour. The price of this plough is, wo understand, £3O, and that includes extra shares, &c. The only other implement exhibited was a plough by Davy and Sleep, and known as the’“/Cornish one-way plough.” It did very good work, and would be ad mirably adapted for hilly country. It is a dohblc-furrow, and is easily drawn by twq horses. The width and depth of the furrow can be adjusted at pleasure, and the cost is only £2O. Messrs. Poyntz and Co. are the local agents.

The Old Men’s Hone. —At the moot ing on Wednesday of the Christchurch Hospital and the Charitable Aid Board, Mr. and Mrs. Maddison, who have held the position of master and matron of the Old Men’s Horae since the late Mr. Barrat relinquished charge, tendered their resignations, in order to assume more im portant positions in the Industrial School, Burnham. The successors of Mr. and Mrs. Maddison will be Mr. and Mrs. Harris, who for some time had. charge of the quarantine station on Ripalsland, By ttelton Harbor, and they will take charge of the Horae on the Ist of April. The master's report on the Home gave 31 as the number of inmates. Tenders for the supply of medicines to the Horae were opened, and that of Mr. J. M. Cambridge was accepted. One of the Home inmates, named Cun ningham, wrote to the Board, asking that his passage be paid to Melbourne, from which place, he said, he had been sent to Hew Zealand. It was resolved to ascertain if possible under what circumstances the applicant came to this colony, and whether he had been sent by any public body, Mr. Montgomery expressing an aversion to placing a 'burden upon another com munity. ’

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. (Renters Telegrams.) London, March 9. Arrived—Ship Famenoth from Auck land (November 19th.) Three per cent. Consols, 97|. Wheat dull, prices unchanged. At the wool sales to-day, 0700 bales were catalogued. Biddings were firm. London, March 10. The Royal Commission lias approved of the proposal that the funds of the Church surplus should be applied to the purchase of waste land in Ireland. Paris, March 9. In the French Senate to-day, Jules Ferry's Education Bill was under discus sion. The clause prohibiting education by the Jesuits was rejected, after a lengthy debate had taken place on the subject. AUSTRALIAN. {Rente/ V.) Sydney, March 11. An action for £IO,OOO damages for slander, brought by the Hon. J. Shepherd, M-L.A., against Mr. J. R. Dibbs, mer chant, for uttering an alleged slander charging plaintiff with immoral conduct with Mrs. J. R. Dibbs, for whom he was acting as solicitor in a suit in the Divorce Court, has resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff, with £2OOO damages. The Stamp Duties Bill, which was sent a second time to the Legislative Council, has been again rejected by that Chamber on constitutional points. In consequence of the Legislative Council’s rejection of the Stamp Bill, Sir H. Parkes intends to take action for the purpose of vindicating the privileges of the Assembly. Melbourne, March 10. The Union Company’s steamship Roto mahana got safely out of the Yana during the night, and sailed to-day for New Zea land. The sugar market is weak. Prices are LI pei ton lower. The Hon. Mr. Service at Maldon to night, expounded the Government pro

gramme, which maintains his own scheme of reforms. The question of the franchise for the Legislative Council has not quite been decided upon. The Government propose to empower the Council to expunge • those items involving motives of policy from the Aq-spropriation Act, dealing therewith by a separate Bill. It is also pro posed to subdivide the Malec country into small blocks and rent thorn to the highest bidder, but all agricultural areas are to remain untouched, and the squatters arc to be allowed to hold their land subject to selection. The administration of railways is to bo entrusted to a Commission or Board. He announced that Civil Service reforms would take place upon the basis of a reduction in the salaries of all classes except new officials. ,He proposes the abolition of pensions, and the compelling of civil servants to insure their lives, for which every facility would be given them. In regard to the Harbor Trust, Mr. Sendee said that their power would be enlarged. He estimated the year’s defi ciency atL3CS,OOO, after the deduction of L 300,000 of lapsed votes. Ho said offi cials would be prohibited from interfering in politics, and that the Government would endeavor to remedy any injustice done by its predecessors wherever such was practicable. The Government would not interfere with protection, whilst re lieving the farmers and miners, nor would they alter the Education Act. The payment of members was unmen tionsd in the hon. gentleman’s address. Melbourne, Feb. 11.

A most enthusiastic meeting of those interested in pastoral affairs was .icld to day, for the purpose of promoting a com pany to engage in the meat freezing pro cess. After some discussion, tho meeting was adjourned. Melbourne, March 12. It is stated here that Governor Weld has accepted the Governorship of the Straits Settlements in succession to Sir Win. Robinson, who lias gbne to Western Aus tralia. MacMeckari and Blackwood’s steamship Claud Hamilton has been purchased by Nipper and See, produce merchants, of Sydney and Melbourne. Hobart Town, March 10. The Assembly last night passed a reso lution declaring the action of the Legis lative Council in adjourning its sitting for three months, in consequence of the alleged discourtesy of the Government, to be unconstitutional. Adelaide, March 10. Wheat has declined, and to-day is quoted at 4s. 8d INTERPROVINOIAL. Auckland, March 12. No fresh cases of fever have occurred at the Quarantine Station, and the exist ing cases are progressing favorably. The ship has been fumigated to-day. The Waitaki, with the San Francisco mails, has been anchored under the Manakau Heads since yesterday morning in consequence of S.W. gilos. At the inquest on Wm. Bliston, drowned in the dock, a verdict of accidentally drowned was returned. William Chester, settler, To Pore, Waikato, died through falling from his horse. At the banquet at the Matamata to-day, to celebrate the opening of the Upper Thames river navigation, Mr. Firth pre sided, supported by the Hons. John Hall and Whitaker. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr. Firth proposed the Premiei', Mr. Hall, who responded. He stated the fertility of the district surpassed his expectations. Mr. Firth had shown him self a self-reliant colonist, while the general custom was to apply to Govern ment for assistance in every possible thing, as his bon. friend Mr. John Sheehan, on his right, could testify. The colonial expenditure had been too groat, one and a half million yearly of late, and would have to be reduced one half. It was a chilling thing to say at such a gathering, but it affected all classes of colonists. The Premier and party left Matamata for Piako. Ghahamstown, Feb. 12. Colonel Leckic inspected the Naval and Scottish Volunteers last night. He said of the former that their proficiency took hifi by surprise. He would forward a satisfactory report to Government. He complimented the Scottish on their steadi- knowledge of duty, and the large attendance. Two medical doctors have combined to freeze out a new arrival, Dr, Callan, by refusing to consult with him, or attend patients advised by him. A woman named Thomas died yesterday, upon whose body an inquest is to be held to-day, tho said enquiry being instituted by Dr. Callan having attended the deceased. Sir. Rolleston is expected here to-day from Kati Kati;

New Whau shares are firm at 705., being an advance of 655. in six months, the greatest advance in price on stock that has "ever occurred on the Thames in the same time. Mr. Perry, promoter of the Blue Spur Tailings Company', demon strated here the practicability of the scheme suggested for the Blue Spar by washing the large gravel stones by water pressure. Hawera, March. 11. Everything is quiet at the camp at Otaki. The road has been considerably straightened near the camp towards Kau pokonui, by cutting across a swamp, and deep drains have been made, and the whole done in an exceedingly workman like manner. On the north of the camp, some 60 chains are already formed to wards Oeo. The Constabulary and the Militia contingent agree very well indeed, notwithstanding predictions to the con trary, and the latter are rapidly becoming adepts with the long handled shovels, under the instructions of the former, who are exceedingly kind to their distressed brethren. Palmerston North, March 12. A deputation from the Palmerston Borough Council waited on the Railway Commission this morning, and laid a number of statistics before it regarding the- West Coast and Woodvillo lines. The members have gone by special coach to Balls, to take evidence regarding the branch line. Wellington, March 12. The Waitaki, with the San Francisco mails, left Onehunga at 10.30 yesterday morning, but on arrival at Manakau Heads found the bar impassable and had to anchor at Huia, where she still re mains awaiting a change in the weather. On learning that the Waitaki was bar bound, the postal department at once de tained the Arawata, which left Auckland yesterday afternoon, and sent back the Waitaki to Onehunga, in order that the mails might be transhipped to the Arawata. Unfortunately the Arawata sailed before the necessary instructions reached Auckland. There were a heavy S.W. gale and breaking sea at Manakau Heads yesterday, and there is little im provement this morning. It is improbable the Waitaki can leave befoi’e to-morrow morning. Even supposing the sea is going down it is not likely she will attempt to take the bar to-night, as it is not high water till 10 o’clock. The Waitaki comes on here direct from New Plymouth. Should she get out to-morrow morning, she may arrive on Sunday night or early Monday morning. The Southern mail will go forward by the Arawata on Monday. The Arawata will arrive from. Nelson to-morrow via Picton, bringing Waitaki, Wellington, and South passen gers. The Wellington leaves for New Plymouth and Manakau direct to-morrow afternoon. At the inquest re the fire at Pakuratahi Hotel an open verdict was returned. His Excellency leaves for Napier this evening to be present at the races there. In the official enquiry re the barque

Sophia Luhrs striking a rock at the Heads recently, the Bench found, “That the master, John Patton, has acted impru dently in going so close in shore, but as the rock ivas not defined in the chart wc exonerate him from blame. We are of opinion that the .existence of the rock should be published. ” Mr. Burns, formerly M. H. R. for RosTyn, -has been appointed a member of the Commission on Local Industries. Mr. Parkinson lias been appointed short-hand reporter to the Civil Service Commission. Christchurch, March 12. The criminal libel action laid by G. G. Stead against the “ Otago Daily Times ” and “ Witness ” directors will be heard at the R.M. Court next Friday; O amaru. March 12. A fire broke out this morning in Thames street, and destroyed several wooden buildings, including a hoarding-house, Roughton andPockington, wholesale boot manufacturers, and Fryer’s furniture shop, and an unoccupied shop, all the pro perty of of George Sumpter. Roughton andPockington, and Fryers’ stock were entirely destroyed, and the greater part of the furniture in the boarding-house was burned, as also part of the furniture in the store of the boarding-house adjoining, which was gutted. The total insurances are —New Zealand, L 1100; South British, L 450 ; Liverpool, London, and Globe, L4OO ; South British, L2OO. Invercargill, March 12. Guthrie and Larnach’s large sawmill at Woodond, near Invercargill, was burned down yesterday. The mill was safe at 11 p. m. on Wednesday, and the flames were dis covered at 5 yesterday morning. In a short time the main buildings, with the smithy, saw sharpening and locomotive sheds at tached, were reduced to ashes. The plant was the most complete of any in South land, and tho mill included a 40-horse power engine, three of the newest patent iron saw-benches, sawing, planing, mould ing, and tenoning machines, &c., and these were all destroyed, as also a loco motive in the locomotive shed. In the main building were 20,000 feet of dressed timber burnt. Insurances—North British and Mercantile, L 250 on the building and LSOO on the machinery ; Transatlantic, L 250 on the machinery and LSOO on the plant; New Zealand, L7OO on the build ing, L6OO on the machinery, and L2OO on the engine ; South British, LIOOO on engine and machinery; LSOO of the last aniount is re-insured in the Colonial. The foregoing are all the insurances knovn here. Mr. M'Pherson, manager, has, however, L3O in the Transatlantic on his own private tools. The fire throws 45 persons out of employment. Meat preserving commences in the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company’s worlcs at Woodlands. There are plenty of cattle obtainable on the company’s terms. The creditors on Thursday agreed to the application for discharge of Mr. Cuthbert son, of the firm of M'Rorie and Cuthbert son, who recently failed for L 16,000. Bluff, March 12. The Te Anau returned last night, and anchored outside the heads. She ex perienced. a very heavy sea about 400 miles from land, which stripped her fan completely. Captain Carey at once headed for New Zealand under sail; had head wind for one day, but succeeded in making the Bluff in 4 days. The passengers have landed to go on with the Rotorua to-mor row, and thoTe Anau waits tho arrival of the tug Koputai to-night.

AL LEGED LIBEL.

(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.) Yesterday after the ordinary civil busi ness of the 11. M. Court had been disposed of, the case of alleged libel against Mr. Joseph Ivess, at the instance of Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough Solicitor of Ashburton, was proceeded with. Joseph Ivess was charged with having published in the “ Ashburton Mail’ - ' of ‘2oth Feb. ult. an article in which Mr. E. G. Crisp, Borough Solicitor of Ashburton, was accused of having misused his official powers by charging six shillings costs for writing a letter to a rate defaulter, and with being “ particeps criminis” with the rate collector in extorting money. Mr. Branson, of Messrs. Branson and Purnell, appeared for the complainant, and the defendant conducted his own case. Mr. Branson, in opening the case, said that his firm had written to Mr. Ivess, asking him, to save expense, to admit being the publisher of the “ Ashburton Mail,” which Mr. Ivess had refused to do, and they had written to the registrar to send a certificated copy of the registra tion of the paper, but none had been sent. If Mr. Ivess would admit being the printer and publisher of the paper it would save time and trouble ; if not, he would have to ask for an adjournment, without costs. His Worship said of course costs would not bo allowed. Mr. H. B. Johnstone said he had been subpasned. He did not know why ; but he certainly would ask for his expenses. Mr. Ivess said he would guarantee the expenses of Mr. Johnstone, and he would waive any legal points in the case on the matter of publication, admitting being publisher, proprietor, and printer of the paper, so as to facilitate the hearing of the case. Mr. Branson then went into the case, and said a gross and unjustifiable libel bad been committed on Mr. Crisp. He read the article in question published in the “ Mail ” of February 26th. All through the article, he said, Mr. Crisp was accused of extorting money from ratepayers, and was charged with having misused his official powers. Mr. Branson called the attention of the Bench to clause 103 of the Municipal Corporations Act, by which Mr. Friedlander, being an officer of the Council, was liable for a penalty of LIOO for any breach of this clause. Mr. Friedlander was charged with a breach of this clause, and Mr. Crisp with aiding him in so doing, indeed he was pointedly charged with being “parti ceps crimnis.” All through the article there were the grossest libels, put in the, , most objectionable way. The pith of the article was an accusation against the rate collector of extort ing money from the ratepayers, and the Borough Solicitor was held to have been guilty of aiding and abetting him in the extortions. Mr. Branson also drew attention to in article in an issue of the “ Mail” of March 4, in which the libel was contained, equally malicious in tone. Mr. Ivess admitted the publication of all papers bearing his imprint, and raised an objection to any other matter subse quent to the alleged libel being brought into the case, and quoted authorities on the subject. Mr. Branson quoted the law of libel to show that the libelous statement having been reiterated, such reiteration was taken as evidence of malice.. After argument, his Worship ruled that the subsequent issues of the paper could be put in. Mr. Branson then went on to say that no plea of justification could be put in. The offence was laid under an Imperial statute, and it was only for a jury to de-. termine whether the plea of justification could be beard and determined on. It was only competent for the Magistrate to say whether there was a prima facie case or not; and he quoted authorities showing that Magistrates had no power in the matter, and were bound to commit. ■ Mr. Ivess had a legal point to raise, but was stopped by Mr. Branson, and the defendant’s argument was not allowed to be heard at this period of the case. W. H. Zouch, sworn, said—l am a com mission agent resident in Ashburton. I have read the article headed “ Six Shil lings Costs” in the “Mail” of Feb. 26th,

It is a criticism on the action of Mr. Crisp and the Borough Rate Collector. I should think the article meant that the Borough Solicitor had aided anti abetted the collector in extorting money from ratepayers. I should say the public would be Tod to beliovo by the publication of that article that Mr. Crisp had acted in a criminal manner,-and I think the public, on reading the article in question would look upon Mr. Crisp’s action as an unjust one. After reading the article, had I been a stranger, I would not have employed Mr. Crisp as my legal adviser. By Mr. Ivcss—l would not have em ployed Mr. Crisp after having read the article in question if the article were true. I am not in a position .to say if the public have expressed approval or disapproval of the. article. I take the definition of “ ex tortion ” to mean the obtaining of money the extortionists are not entitled to. The translation I put on the words “ particeps crimiuis ” that they mean a participator in the crime. Ido so from the context of the paragraph, the crime being the extor tion of money from ratepayers. Mi - . Branson said he would not call any further evidence, .as the article spoke for itself. Mr. Ivess then asked if he would bo allowed to review the evidence of his witnesses after the case for the defence Had closed.

The Magistrate said Judge Jolinson had laid down the rule to be that the accused could only address the Beach as to the insufficiency of evidence, and Mr. Ivess : would have to confine his statements to that point. The Bench could not hear evidence as to the truth or otherwise of the statement. Mr. Ivess said his intention was to call evidence in j testification, and to prove that no malice was intended. If evidence were not permitted he would not have an op portunity of'defendinghimself. He quoted from a recent case in which the Court of Queen’s Bench had ruled that evidence could be given before the commtting justice for defence in a libel case. If a prima facie case of pub lishing a libel were made out, it was then the duty of the sitting magistrate to com mit the accused for trial. He wished to call witnesses to prove the article was not a libel. Mr. Ivess then asked permission to address the Bench subsequent to’hear ing the evidence for the defence. The Magistrate would allow any re marks to be made before calling his wit nesses, but it was not the custom to per mit accused persons to comment on the evidence after it had been taken. Mr. Ivoss then addressed the Bench, and denied any malice in the article. He was prepared to prove that Mr. Crisp never had authority to make the charges lie had done to ratepayers. His action in demanding these moneys had been dis approved of by his employers, the Borough Council. The article was written in the interests of the public, and he went on to quote the opinions of Lord Campbell, which were to the effect that malice must 'be shown before an action could lie. This had not been done. in this case. The article was a fair comment on the action of a public man. A larger amount of latitude was now allowed to the press tlian was permitted fifty years ago, and if a writer can prove that his criticisms are true, he has a perfect right to use his privilege even if ho should be proved to have written his comments in error. He would prove to the Court that Mr. Crisp, holding as he did: the position of Borough Council Solicitor was open to the criticism in the article in the “Mail.” No parallel case could be cited in which a borough solicitor, drawing a stated salary, had charged for writing letters, and he would prove that the exaction of the Gs. . was an illegal action. The words “ official coercion ”in the article were justified by the fact that the Council had condemned the action of its officer in taking the money. The charge of “misusinghis power” was warranted from the fact that any ratepayer having a de mand made for rates would be under the impression that the letter would be written by Mr. Crisp as Borough Solicitor, and not as a private lawyer. No doubt there had been a mistake made by the solicitor and the collector that the writing of these letters to the ratepayers was the cheapest method of collecting rates. The law was very clear on the matter. Mr. Crisp drew a salary of LIOO a year as Borough Solici tor, and had no right., to charge rate payers for work paid for by the Council. Mr. Ivess then went on to refer to the speeches made by Councillors on the sub ject, but was not allowed to give the ex tracts as published. The definition of ‘ ‘ pavticeps criminis was ‘ ‘ participation in something improper. ” He quoted from a dictionary, which stated the n ords meant an “accomplice.” He trusted he had suc ceeded in putting a different appearance on the case to that laid down by the counsel for the prosecution. The in formation charged him with having com mitted a false, defamatory, and malicious libel. Malice might bo assumed, but Mr. Crisp had an opportnity of bringing a civil suit. He did not bring his charge civilly, as his intentions were to compel the Crown to undertake the costs, of the prosecution. Mr. Branson pointed out that the Crown could order the whole costs of the case to be paid by Mr. Crisp. Mr. Ivess continued —He would cite a few more brief authorities on the law of libel. He would rely entirely for his de fence upon the fact that his criticism was in the interests of the public, purely and simply. He had been all along on the best terms with Mr. Crisp, and malice was the one thing furtherest from his mind. Mr. Ivess, in answer to the caution read by the Magistrate, said—l wish to stats that the article in question was written in the interests of the public good, free from either animus or prejudice, and it was framed on the action of a public man ; such comments being believed by rac to be true and justified. Edward Haughton, sworn, said—l am editor of tho “ Ashburton Mail,” and am a journalist of about 20 years’ standing. 1 have been on the “ Mail ” . about three weeks, and have literary charge of that paper. I wrote the article complained of by" Mr. Crisp. At that time I had never seen nor hoard of Mr. Crisp. By Mr. Ivess—You saw tho article be fore publication. You had been out of town, and on your return I showed you a proof copy of the article, and, having read it', you made an alteration. I attended a meeting of the Borough Council, and reported a discussion on Miss Callaghan’s case.

Mr. Branson objected to any evidence being given as to any proceedings of the Borough Council, as Mr. Crisp was not present at that meeting. ■ Mr. Ivoas contended his right to call evidence to show that there were good grounds for bringing forward the reports of the proceedings of the Borough Council, and quoted a number of authori ties at length. His Worship decided he could not hoar irrelevant evidence. He would gladly allow any evidence favorable to Mr. Ivess to be adduced ; but he could not permit any to be given which was not permissible by law. Mr. Haughton continued —I consider the article in question would have had the effect of letting the public know the true state of the case. I should say that the word “extortion” means taking money by a process not duly authorised. I should define the phrase “ particeps criminis” by a reference to the facts in connection with which it occurred, which were that Mr. Crisp, as Borough Solicitor, had partici pated with the rate collector, in the same borough, in exacting from ratepayers cer tain costs for doing work for, which he already received a salary from the Borough Council.

His Worship quoted from Wharton's Law Lexicon the legal definition 'of tho term to be a“ participator in crime.” Mr. Branson—Would you call the ob taining money, if.due, by any other than a duly authorised fashion, an extortion. Witness—l would not call that “ extor tion,” but I should call it a name more ap propriate. Mr. Branson—Do you still adhere to your former definition ? Witness—l say if tho money is not duo, and is obtained by an improper process, it amounts to extortion. In this case the money was obtained by a process, in con nection with the-facts of the case, which I consider was extortion. I mean that in the article extortion was the best word to; use in connection with the case. The : words in the article, “ the collector was extorting m-mey ” meant that he had been getting money from ratepayers which was not legally due by them. In reference; to the solicitor having aided and abetted the collector, I meant that the Borough Solicitor had been assisting in a wrongful action, and was in that sense a par:y to; the crime so far as it was a crime. I have; read parts of the Municipal; Corporations. Act. I have read clause 103, by which the collector was liable to bo fined £IOO for taking fees illegally. I knew at the > time the article was written that the Bate; Collector could be proceeded against for : extortion. My opinion of the solicitor, as one of the outside public, would be that he had misbehaved himself. I should .look ■ with contempt, upon a man who would charge twice for the same work.- I should look upon a solicitor who did the things he is charged with in the article with pity. ' I meant in referring to him as ah officer that he was misapplying his powers as Borough Soli citor; My impression was that he had confused his office as Borough Solicitor with his position as a private solicitor. Harry Bell Johnston, Solicitor, swprh, said—l hold property in Ashburton. I was sued by Mr. H. Freidlander for L 9 ss. for rates due for some town sections, and I sent a cheque for the amount. There was in the account a charge of 6s. for a letter written by Mr. Crisp. I thought the charge a rather extraordinary one for a rate collector to make. I did not notice the charge of Cs. at the time I paid it, otherwise I would have deducted it from the account. I have read the article in question in the “ Mail. ” I could not give an opinion as to the article. It would entirely depend upon what terms Mr. Crisp is employed to do the legal work, as to whether he is entitled to charge for send ing letters. There seems to be some very strange ideas about fees amiong the solicitors in the Ashburton, and a variety of charges for writing letters. Retainers are of various kinds. I take it that Mr. Crisp is Borough Solicitor retained to defend actions brought .against the Council. The Town Clerk then read the letter to Mr. Crisp from the Borough Council appointing him Borough Solicitor. Mr. Johnston —I should call the ap pointment produced a general retainer. I should charge a special fee for attendance for the Council in Court.

By Mr. Branson I decline to answer questions of this nature, but if I had read ’ the article without having any previous knowledge of the persona mentioned in it I should say the Ashburton had got a nice pettifogging little lawyer. I should never trust to a newspaper article, and would not judge a man’s character by one. The words in the article would tend to hold Mr. Crisp up to public contempt, unless some further in formation were given. If Mr. Crisp had aided and abetted Mr. Friedlander in charging 6s. for the letter, he would have acted unprofessionally. He might have charged 13s. 4cl. if he liked ; and had he made the demand independent of Mr. Friedlander ho would have acted profes sionally. Mr. Johnston having finished his evi dence, he demanded his costs, and was allowed L2 17s. -

Catherine Callaghan-—I am a school mistress, and own a section in Tancred street. I received the letter produced signed by Mr. Crisp, demanding the sum of L2 2s. for rates and costs. I f fterwards received a summons for the money. The time for paying the rates had expired before I got the letter from Mr. Crisp. I did not consider the demand a just one. I paid 'is. as Mr. Crisp’s charge in addition to the rate. By Mr. Branson —I wrote one letter to Borough Council, about the demand of 65., a fortnight after I had paid. Mr. Ivess advised me to - write the letter to the. Borough Council. I asked Mr. Ivess to assist mo in the matter. Mr. Ivess gave me suggestions as to how I should word the letter. He gave me a draft of the letter. I made some alterations in the draft. I have a portion of the draft at home. Mr. Branson—Then Mr. Ivess dictated to yon the letter yon wrote to the Council! Witness—Yes. Mx - . Branson—Then the murder is out. Mr. Ivess gets the lady to write the letter and then founds his article on his own letter; ■ Charles Braddell, Town Clerk of Ash burton, examined by Mr. Ivess, produced an extract from the minutes of the Coun cil, confirming theappointment of Borough Solicitor upon Mr. Crisp, who tendered for the position along with Mr, Harris and Mr. Ireland. He also produced the letter sent to Mr. Crisp intimating the appointment. ■ Mr. Ivess asked Mr. Braddell what was the impression he had of the scope of this letter. Mr. Branson objected to the queston as the document explained itself. His Worship ruled the question was not admissable. The extract from the minutes was then read directing that a list of the defaulters be handed to the solicitor. Mr. Braddell —I do not know what are the duties of the Borough Solicitor, and I don’t know that ho was or was not entitled to charge 6s. for writing letters. Mr. Crisp had done professional work regard ing the bye-laws, and had prosecuted for breaches of the bye-laws in the Court. Mr. Crisp had not received any payment directly for that work. Had sought Mr. Crisp’s advice in legal matters in borough affairs, when such was actually required, bat never gave the question whether ho would have to pay for it or not any thought. Had the impression that ho could go to Mr. Crisp for professional ad vice for the Council when such was wanted, Mr. Crisp- being the person ap pointed to give it. Don’t know that the LIOO paid to Mr. Crisp was only a general retaining fee. By Mr. Branson—Have read the article in the “ Mail” of the 26th, entitled “Six Shillings Costs.” The portion of the article accusing Mr, Crisp of misuse of his .office, and aiding and abetting the collector in the extortion of. money, having been road, Mr. Branson asked witness what would have been his (witness’) opinion of Mr. Crisp had he been an outside person 1 Witness—l should not Have cared to have anything to do with Mr. Crisp if I had not known the facts of the case. Mr. Branson—Do you think the article is calculated to hold Mr. Crisp up to con tempt, and to injure him in his business ? Witness—l think so. Mr. Branson—Do you think the article would cause a similar impression on the minds of the public ? Witness—l cannot answer for the public. Mr. Branson—Did Mr. Ivess come to you for information regarding this case ? Witness—Ho came to me last Monday or Tuesday, and told me I would be subpoenaed. He also asked to see the minutes, rate-book, and letter-book. Mr. Branson—Did Mr. Ivess. pome to you for information before the publication of the article complained, of ? ;

Witness—Ho did not, to the best of my recollection. (Miss Callaghan’s letter to the Borough Council produced, which witness recog nised.) . Mr. Branson—Do' you recollect Mr. Ivess ever coming to you to inquire as to tho terms of Mr. Crisp’s contract with the Borough ? Witness —I have no recollection. Mr. Ivess—Did the Council ever au thorise the exaction of this six shillings iu question ? Witness —The Council never said any thing about it till Miss Callaghan’s,letter was received. They had no knoutjpdgq of it, so far as I know. Mr. Ivess— You; stated you. hatT no recollection of my ever coming to you for information regarding Mr. Crisp’s terms.- Dp you know that I was once a member of the. Council ? ' ‘ / “ -7 Witness—l know that perfectly, well. Mr. Ivess—r Are you awaro tthat it was on my motion that a solicitor was appointed.? Witness—lt appears only as a resolu tion in the minute book that a solicitor should bo obtained. - Mr. Ivess—During the last election ; for Mayor did hot I come to "you asking; for information regarding the expenditure of the borough) i and did not yoii l give-liie amongst other items that of LIOO as the> salary of the Borough Solicitor. Witness—You did, and I gave you that information. Thomas H; Green, sworn—l am a pro vision dealer in Christchurch; my wife holds a section in Ashburton; I received a letter from Mr. Crisp demanding rates and costs. That was the first demand made for rates. I made application to Mr. Braddell for information' as to the amount of the rates, and received a second letter from Mr. Crisp referring me to his previous letter, and stating that ;a summons would he issued unless settled at once. • I then sent a cheque for the ■amount, £1 25.).t0 Mr. BraddeiL' -1-d.on’fc know the amount of tlie rate The rate-book was then referred to, and. the amount of the rate in question was found to be 16s. Mr. Green continued—l never received any document demanding rates. I.con sidered the demand illegal I consider the article in the “ Mail to be a fair criticism on the actions of the Borough: 1 Clerk and Borough Solicitor in attempt ing to extort six shillings from, me and giving no explanation. I blame Mr. Braddell for not answering my letter. I heard of the article for the first time in Court to day. By Mr. Branson—l consider the criti cism a fair one, because he applied to; me for a debt and costs. I do not say so because lam angry at having.to pay the money) but I thought it was a wrong'act. to charge costs. Had I received - a - ’rate notice I would have forwarded the money without any threat of summons. I wrote to the Town Clerk and received no reply. I consider the comment deserved to - bn more severe than it was. , 7, .' 1 ; - Miss Callagan’s evidence was then re sumed—-The letter produced is the .draft of the letter written by -Mr. Ivess for me to send to the Council. I altered one or two small inaccuracies in the copy I made :ftnd sent to the Council, but the general tenor of it was the same.

By Mr. Branson—l went to ,Mr. Ivess for advice. I never received any assessment notice, I first received "the notice from Mr. Crisp, and afterwards received the summons, and I went to Mr. Ivess to obtain his advice as to how 1 could pay the money without having to appear in Court, and he offered to pay the money ; into Court for mo.- I showed him the summons ; he read the particulars*' and the letter from Mr. Crisp, and he expressed surprise at Mr. Crisp making the charge of 6s. I first knew that the charge was illegal from seeing a report -of a meeting of the Council at which Mr. a statement that the charge jPJrillegal,: and I then went for legal advice to Mivi ive'-a, who - wTote a letter for me. X belieye Mr. Ivess paid the money. into. Court for me. I asked the Council for a. refund of the money, because I/believed X had been wrongly dealt by. I was not urged by . Mr. Ivess to demand re-, payment of the money. I don’t think I had any other interviews with Mr. Ivess about the matter. ■< • vr f By Mr. think you advised me to pay the money, into Court less the 65., and appear to dispute • that amount. I said rather than appear in Court, I would pay the full amount. I asked you not to publish the case in the paper, and the matter ■ was afterwards made public with my consent. -i- Mr. Branson said that he;; would; ask that Mr. Ivess should state the nature of ; . the further evidence he intended calling. Mr. Ivess said he had five . more wit nesses to call, one of whose evidence was similar to that already given, and then the evidence would; take a turn. ; > His Worship said that he was convinced ; he could not adjudicate on the case, as he was satisfied there was a prima facie case of libel. He would ,;not take any more evidence of a corroborative nature, as it would be superfluous* but he would adr mit evidoiice of a neWinature. ' : The Court was then adjourned till this’ day at 10 a.m. ;

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the - ' opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE GAMBLING CASS. To the Editor.

Sir, —Can you inform the public why the much talked of gambling case was heard yesterday at the unusual hour of 10 o’clock in the morning ?> Is it possible that the hearing took place at that early hour in order that no accurate report of the proceedings might find its way, into the papers ? Pausing for a reply,—l am,, - &c., ;; ■ _ ■ J ■ . ; One who’d like to know, you know.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

To ths Editor. . , Ji - Sir, —There arc a few questions relat ing to the management of this queer in stitution to which I should be glad to get replies. Perhaps you could furnish them,- , The questions are .these ; 1. Is the management of the library , - entrusted to a committee, or is it a strictly family affair 1 (a). Who are the members of the Committee or (b) the family, as the • case may be 1 2. Assuming that a committee exists, ' .does it ever condescend to render accounts to the subscribers, or to meet the sub scribers for general business 1 3. Is an annual meeting ever held; if so, when did the last one take place ? 4. Would it nob be as well if the Com- >. mittee were immediately to . convene a meeting of subscribers, in order that something may be done towards making the library a credit to the town, instead of a disgrace ?—Yours, &c.- * Litkkarum Amator.

The Unemployed at Dunedin. —Mr. Stewart, Dunedin, on Thurs day, received the following telegram from the. Colonial Secretary :—“ The , acting Minister for Works, I am informed, has instructed Mr. Blair to intimate that work on the Jlindon section (Otago central railway) is open to men wanting employment; at rates by which ordinary men can earn 28s._per week if married, and 21a. if single, ders will be called for rationing that the Government shall be satisfied 1 hat’ there is a fair surplus for family and other uses. The tools are to be paid for by the men, 'but the cost will bo repaid on their leaving the work, if in good order, de ducting a fair amount for the wear and tear. —(Signed) Thos, Dick.”

■PS^



Butter, inferior to best Ir? H> O IO to X 0 Eggs, $ dozen I 1 to I 3 Cheese, prime quality, 1? lb O 7 to 0 IO Bacon, prime smoked, lb O IO to 1 0 Hams in cloth, $ lb 1 2 to I 3 Flour in bags, 1? loolb 14 6 to 0 0 Oatmeal, $ 251b 5 6 to 0 0 Lard, $,lb - O 9 to 0 0



NOTICE TO FARMERS. fjpHß undersigned will be prepared to treat with farmers and others in Ashbur ton, every Wednesday and Saturday, for the PURCHASE of GRAIN, or SHIP MENT on ACCOUNT of GROWERS. JOSEPH CLARK. February 28, 1880. 550a* TO FARMERS. fjpHE undersigned arc CASH BUYERS of WHEAT, or will make LIBERAL ADVANCES on shipments to London on growers’ account. MILES, HASSAL, & CO., Christchurch ; MILES, ARCHER, & CO., 566 g Timaru. THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY WAS started about five years ago. The proprietors at first in tended to manufacture for the Trade only, but, owing to the persistent op ■positiou of importers and Shop keepers who could make a better profit on the imported article, they were compelled-in self defence to open Branches for the sale of their goods direct to the public. In this they but followed the example of some of the largest manufacturers at home, and the Public, by purchasing at the undermentioned Branches, will SAVE THE PROFIT OF MIDDLEMEN, AND OBTAIN A SUPERIOR ARTICLE. BRANCHES. Invercargill Christchurch Wellington Dunedin Ashburton Auckland Oamaru Nelson New Plymouth Timaru Wanganui Napier A SINGLE GARMENT AT WHOLESALE PRICE. W. SPARROW, Manager, Ashburton Branch, 688a* New Zealand Clothing Factory, WANTED KNOWN, that Envelopes and Notepaper can be obtained wholesale or retail, at unusually low rates at"'the “ Herald ” Office, East-street North. G * 2



NEW TAILORING ESTABLISH MENT. CRAIGHEAD & Co., MERCHANT TAILORS, - HAVE opened those premises situated in Tailored street adjoining Messrs. Orr and Co’s General Store. v A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OP TWEEDS, FANCY GOODS, &c., &c., JUST ARRIVED. Mr. Craighead’s experience as Head Gutter in connection with First Class Tailoring Establishments in Edinburgh and San Francisco has extended over a period of ten years, and from the immense success which has always attended his efforts to please, he is prepared to" guarantee a perfect fit in every case. TANCRED STREET, (Next Orr and Cl’s. CRAIGHEAD & CO. 982 a MESSRS. H. MATSON AND CO., AUCTIONEERS, &c., Hold fortnightly stock SALES at Ashburton and Tinwald. Next sale at ASHBURTON YARDS, on TUESDAY, March IG, 18S0. SPECIAL ENTRY. 1000 MERINO EWES. C. PERCY COX, 427g* Agent, Ashburton.