SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Bona, schooner, from Kaipara. Dido, schooner, from Waitapn. Sailed. Yesterday. Emperor, brig, for Newcastle. Waipara, s.s., for Hokitika. Dunedin, schooner, for Invercargill. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Beatrice Havena, from New York Sailed —Lady Jocelyn, for Lyttelton ; Borealis, for Artutataki; Caledonia, for Tonga ; Hawea for the South. ‘ Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived —Albion, from the Bluff ; Natal Queen, from Hobart. Sydney, Yesterday. Sailed—Wakatipu, s.s., for Wellington.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, February 19. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. Mr. T. Bullock—Usual Weekly Sale. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-morrow, Thursday, February 17. Degree Temple, Extraordinary Meeting, Templar Hall, at 8 p. m. Ashburton Racing Club Committee Meeting, Quill’s Hotel, 4 p.m. Thistle Lodge, Monthly Meeting, at the Masonic Hall. Monday, February 21. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, I 0.0. F., Town Hall, 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a. m. (Express), 4.35p.m., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

DEATH.

Fitzgerald— At his late residence, Bur nett street, Ashburton, on the 16th inst., Johnstone Fitzgerald, second son of the late Captain Richard Janies Fitz gerald, 42nd Regiment, Black Watch. Aged 57.

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 6, 1881. The Ashburton Hospital.

When the. Ashburton County Coun cil built the Hospital in the Domain, they conferred upon the district a very great beneht indeed, and one that we had expected to see the public show their appreciation of in a very tangible way long ago. The Hospital was an institution thaf was very much wanted ; in factinalarge districtlike Ashburton it , was absolutely necessary. But it was equally ,necessary that it should be sup ported, and the question of its support is one-that sooner or later will press it self upon the district for solution. At presepttbe County Council find all the funds for keeping it open, doing their best tb ; irecbver a proportion of the cost of the cases from the patients themselves. But even though every patient admitted paid - the proportion; asked of him, the expense to be borne by the County would be very large. The funds of the County Council are not wholly exhausted yet, but as work goes dh and payments for it are made,, the la& pound in the purse must in tlie,

end be reached, and then the question of levying rat£s will have to lie dealt with.'" 'When that time comes the annual cost of the Hospital will receive attention at the hands of the ratepayers, and some of them will no doubt make wry faces at having to bear the expense. Still the expense will have to be borne, and it ought to be borne, but not necessarily by the ratepayers alone. Everybody ought to bear a share, and do it will ingly—even gladly. Hospitals at Home have come to be looked upon in the light of the people’s right, and thousands of people are treated in them for nothing. But then, public subscrip tions supply the means for doing this, and these subscriptions are usually very liberal. Here it is different, and the hospitals sustained by the public’s con tributions are not many —but there are some. It has to be borne in mind, then, that though the Hospital has been built for the alleviation of suffering, it was never intended that its benefits should be dispensed in so free and open - handed a manner that all who chose to enter could do so and enjoy the doctor’s care, the nurse’s attention, and the building’s advan tages without cost, and that all the Hospital officials should work for the patients’ benefit without fee or reward paid by those who are the recipients of the attendance. It has to be under stood that all who are able to pay must pay until the public by their contribu tions have made the institution inde pendent of other aid. At present the Hospital must cost the County Council one way or another nearly a year, if not more, but as yet we know of no substantial aid that has been given to it from outside, while the im pression seems to prevail amongst a large portion of the public that the institution is free to whoever should seek its aid, and that no recompense is due to it for the cost of that aid. This is a mistake, and the sooner it is found out by those who labor under it, the better. The building never was erected for the purpose of being turned into a pauper institution, by which ill ness should be treated at the cost of the County Council funds. A person so poor that he cannot pay anything must of course be let off; but many seek and obtain hospital benefits, all over the colony, w’ho are perfectly able to pay for them the small fees that are required. We are satisfied that were those fees pressed for, and recovered in cases where the patient is able to pay, the hospitals throughout the colony would be on a far better and more satisfactory footing than they are. We contend that the institution is not a pauper one, and never was intended as such. The chief argument urged for its erection was that it would supply those circumstances under which inva lids could be properly and successfully treated, which were wanting in many homes even of well-to-do people in the district, and supply in Ashburton a refuge nearer than Christchurch for those who meet with dangerous acci dents, requiring all the appliances, accessories, and accommodation an hospital can afford. A man with a shattered and lacerated body had to be conveyed 50 miles to Christ church by rail, after perhaps as many miles rough travel by road. It is a self-evident fact, that when 50 miles were cut off his journey to reach proper surgical aid, that much more hope for. his recovery was given. The benefits cannot be denied that are given by the Hospitals, but still those benefits are not, like the air we breathe, the right and title of all —without money, and without price. Now, we ask, is it not time that some system of public support for the Hospital should be organised ? At Home, we remember, every church had its “ Hospital Sunday,” every large fac tory raised its annual subscription, every trade society paid its independent quota to the Hospital funds, every shop, every gang of men, every in dividual, in fact, felt himself in duty bound to contribute his mite. The maintenance of a “ bed ” in the Hos pital cost a certain sura annually, and trade societies vied with each other in the number of “ beds ” they supported, and according to the number of “ beds ” written against the society’s name, it had the right of nominating to the benefits of the Hospital an equal number of patients—subject always to the rules of the institution. Why could not some such system be organised here ? Why do not the churches, by special effort, secure to themselves a “ bed ” or two ? And the stations in the district also, and all the little townships and groups of farms ? There are no trades societies here, to be sure, but there are plenty of tradesmen ; and many contractors em ploying innumerable working men. All these could aid the Hospital, and ought to, for it is from their ranks that the “ beds ” of the Hospital find most of their occupants. The miners on the West Coast know full well the value of their infirmaries, and we know no place where a finer spirit is manifested in helping a useful institution. The diggers will contribute to their hospital when they will contribute to nothing else, and we hope to see a similar spirit permeating the people of this dis trict, so that funds may .be supplied to the institution, that its efficiency may be maintained, and its benefits be given to cases that cannot bring in a-financial return, without loss to the funds of a body whose duties are scarcely, after all, those of a parish relieving officer.

The Australians. —The Australians should have played at Napier this morn ing, but owing to a heavy rain, play was put off till 2.30, since which time we have received no telegrams. A Bio Bet. —The extensive wager of L3OO to LIOO was yesterday laid on Native Cat against Our Pony in the approaching trotting contest between these two cracks, which is to take place at Forbury on the second day of the D. J.O. meeting. The Borough Valuation Roll. —By an Order-in-Council, the time for trans mitting to the Borough the valuation was extended to the 7th instant and objections can be received to the valuations until the 7th March, to which date the roll will be open for inspection. The Inspector of Nuisances.— From our yesterday’s issue the item of the ap pointent of Inspector of Nuisances for the Borough' and suburbs was accidently omitted. The special meeting for the purpose was held by the Borough Council on Monday afternoon, attwo o’clock, when, after weighing the Worth of eleven ap plications, that made by Mr. Davison, late of Westerfield, was accepted, at a salary fof LIOO A year. Mr. Davison enters .upon his duties at once.

BurneikstO Death. —A child was bur ied to death atVEukekohe, near Auckland, through playing with matches. Judge Williams. —Judge Williams was entertained by the members of the Dune din Bar last night, previous to leaving for a trip to England. Converted. Three hundred and twenty-seven persons at Grahamstown on Monday went forth and proclaimed their conversion through the agency of Mrs. Hampton, the evangelist. A Strange Accident. —Mr. Robert Bellairs, formerly an officer in the hew Zealand Militia, fell off a stump in the Auckland Domain, and severed an artery in his arm. He was found, alter lying twenty-four hours, in an unconscious state, having nearly bled to death. A “ Crooked ” Rowing Man. —F. H. Shepherd, a member of the Auckland Rowing Club, has been brought up on a charge of robbery of watches and jewellery at the Club boatshed while a party of members were absent in a boat. He admitted bis guilt when searched. The case has been adjourned, Land at Parihaka. —Not a singl 6 application for Parihaka land was mad a at any place on Monday, the day for sen ling m application fer all allotments nid deferred payments. The high price nut on the land, and its close proximity t To Whiti, are said to bo the cause of no at tention being paid to it. Otago Central Railway.— The fol lowing gentlemen have been selected to report on the Otago Central Railway Maniototo county, Mr. John Bathg’.tc ; Taieri county, Mr. Henry Clark ; United counties, Mr. Horace Bastings. The Commissioners will leave about the end of the month. The Oamaru Harbor.-—A good deal of interest is being taken in the question of the Oamaru harbor. It has been prop >sed that the intended area of the haroor should suffer modification in the interests of enconomy. This is opposed on the ground that the trade of the port would bo cramped through insufficient accom modation.. A meeting of the Board will shortly take place, when the question will be considered.

Christchurch Tramway. —The ar.uual meeting of the Tramway Company was held this morning. The chairman s i tod that the trams had run 44,274 miles, ,t a cost of lOd. per mile, the earnings t ang Is. 7d. per mile. Over six miles /ere now open. The Ferry road extensi 11 — four miles—will shortly be co nme> ■ ed. A dividend of 4 per cent, was dec 1 ired for the past half year. The Wak anui Creek. —For some i me, owing to certain work going on <*r the head of the millrace, the water has icon cut off from the Wakanni creek, bi we are happy to be able to state that it was turned on again to-day. While the t- eek has been dry the residents who use it for watering purposes, have been at homo inconvenience, and have had difficulty in watering their stock, but a few days will doubtless now relieve them. Ashburton District Court.— ln the Gazette of 7th February a proclam ■ don appears constituting the Ashburton Dis trict Court a separate Court. Hitl erto the Court held here has been designated the District Court of Christchurch, ho Men at Ashburton. Now, however, the desig nation will be simply the District Court of A sbburton. The boundaries of the district within which its jurisdiction will be con fined are given in detail in the Gazette, but speaking roughly, they may be summed up in saying that they extend from the Rakaia to the Rangatata rivers one "'ay, and from the hills to the sea the other. In the same Gazette another proclamation cuts off the Ashburton district from that of Christchurch. An Incorrigible.— A man named Jas. Smith has since 1874 contributed a con siderable ’amount of money to the public purse in fines for drunkenness and dis orderly conduct. When his “bursts” had been too long, and he had run out of cash, he made amends to the law by ac cepting the alternative of imprisonment, and in this way he has done some “ ser vice” to the colony. But neither the fines nor the imprisonment seem to 1 ave any effect upon his manners. The last time he was before the Court Mr. Wood let him off with a caution, and cautioned him that if he again appeared at Court he would be sent to gaol without the option of a fine. Smith vowed eternal abstinence, but yesterday he broke his vow, and Constable Neil got hold of him. To-day the Magistrate—Mr. C. P. Cox, J. P. —sent the man to gaol for a month with hard labor. Horticultural Society. —At the meet ng of the Horticultural Society last night there was a very full attendance. The Secretary reported that three of the judges applied to had accepted office, but the remaining gentlemen had not yet replied. The Secretary was instructed to write again asking for an immediate answer, and failing their ability to accede to the Society’s request, a sub-committee was appointed to arrange with some other gentlemen. The offer of the string band to play on (he evening of the Show for L2 was accepted. During the coming week the various members of the Committee will canvass their respective wards for subscriptions and exhibits, the yearly sub scriptions now being due. It was an nounced that Messrs. Duncan M'Kenzie, T. Quill, and Jacobson and Eyton had offered special prizes to be competed for at the show, particulars of which would be advertised.

Mount Hutt Road Boahd. —The ad journed meeting of this Board took place on Monday, the 14th instant. Present— Messrs. Alington, M'Millan, Chapman, and the chairman, Mr. Julian Jackson. Letters were read from Mr. J. C. Wason informing the Board that he cut a race through a portion of the Board’s property under the terrace at Corwar by mist;. Ice, and asking the Board’s permission to con tinue the said race. Granted, provided Mr. Wason puts a proper crossing over the race on the line of road. From Mr. W. H. Barnes, contractor fcr the Rakaia bridge, drawing the .attention of the Board to the dangerous state of the large cutting caused by the last heavy rain. The chairman explained that he had found it necessary to have some slips removed, so that the traffic had not been impeded. The chairman’s action was approved. From Mr. J. 0. Wason, objecting to the rate roll, the valuation being too high. The clerk was instructed to. inform Mr. Wason that the Board intended to take action, objecting to the roll on the same grounds. Re crossing over the water race, Mr. Baxter, county engineer, re commended the Board to put crossings over the race and charge the County Council with the cost. Resolved—“ That the overseer superintend the work.” Several objections were handed in by owners of land in the district, stating that they were valued too high. After passing accounts amounting to L 135 ss. 3d., the Board adjourned.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Retrospective. London, Feb. 14. The House of Commons has decided in Committee that, the Irish Coercion Bill shall be retrospective in operation, and shall give the Viceroy of Ireland power to make arrests for offences com mitted prior to October ist last year. Parnell in Paris. Mr Parnell has been absent from the

House of Commons for a week, and it is believed that he is visiting Paris. > The Fair Ones and the Land Question. The Ladies’. Land League in Ireland is daily extending its operations, and increasing the agitation in regard to the land question. To Join the Boers Feb. 15. Telegrams are to hand containing a rumor that 500 Irish Americans have left the States for the Transvaal to join the Boers. Washington Inundated. New York, Feb. 15. The weather during the last few days has been very severe throughout the Northern States. The greater part of the city of Washington is indundated, and much loss of property is being caused. Very heavy snowstorms have been experienced in the West, and the railroads in many places are blocked, and the traffic completely suspended.

AUSTRALIAN

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Reform Bill. Melbourne, Fob 15. Parliament resumed its sitting to-day after the recess. In the Legislative Council, the Hon. Graham Berry for mally moved the second reading of the Reform Bill, and the debate was ad journed. Melbourne, To-day, In the Legislative Assembly last niglit the Hon. Graham Berry, in the course of his speech in moving the second reading of the Reform Hill, said if the ratepayers’ roll for the Assembly was fixed on the basis of that for the Legis lative Council, he saw no democratic objection to the Norwegian scheme of holding a joint sitting of the two Houses for a settlement of the reform question. Municipal Borrowing. Sydney, Feb. 15. It is announced that the municipal authorities will shortly invite tenders for debentures to the value of L 7 5,000 for the comoletion of the Town Hall.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Fires. Wellington, To-day. A fire occurred Te Oreore, Masterton, on Tuesday morning, by which two reap ing and binding machines, the pro perty of Thompson and Co., were des troyed. The machines were in a shed, to which was attached a stable, in which the fire originated. It is believed the machines were insured. It is supposed the fire was the result of incendiarism. Nelson, To-day. A. fire broke out this morning in the shop occupied by C. Webb, bootmaker, Hardy street. The flames had a good hold when discovered, and the building was totally destx-oyed. It was insured in the South British for Ll5O. Fatal Colliery Accident. Westport, To-day. A man named Hewitt, aged twenty-four, was killed in the'Colliery Company’s mine yesterday, by a block of coal, which he was heaving out, falling on him. His body was not discovered for some hours after the accident happened.

SHOP-LIFTING BY AN EM M.H.R.

Mr. William Rowe Gets Forty-Eight Hours’^ [By Telegraph.] (Per Press Association.) Wellington, To-day. At the Police Court, this morning, William Rowe, formerly member of the House of Representatives for the Thames, was charged with having, about 5 o’clock this morning, stolen seven shillings from the till of the Theatre Royal, Hotel, where he was lodging. From the evidence it, ap peared that money had been missed previously, under similar circumstances, and suspicion fell on Rowe. A police man was accordingly placed in ambush this morning, and some money in the till marked. The policeman saw Rowe take some money out of the till, and then lie down on a sofa pretending to read a paper. On being searched, Li 15s. was found on him, amongst it being the two marked shillings. Mr. Gully who appeared for the prisoner, admitted the theft, but urged that Rowe had been drinking heavily, and did not know what he was doing. It was evident he was not in want. He urged that the Magistrate should exercise his dis cretionary power, and dismiss the case as trivial, and because, probably no felony was intended. His Worship, in passing judgment, said he would be glad to be able to discharge the prisoner, but could not help feeling that if he were to do so he would be drawing a distinction in his favor against those whose education and circumstances had not been as good as those of prisoner. As a public officer, having a duty to the public to perform, he was unable to do that. He was unwilling, however, to sentence him to any lengthened term of imprisonment, but would sentence him to a sufficient term to him (the prisoner) that well-educated per sons like prisoner, who had held a public position, could not do these things with impunity. He would be sentenced to forty-eight hours’ imprison ment.

THE CHAMPION SCULLING MATCH.

(By Cable.) London, Feb. 14 The sculling race between Edward I lanlan and Elias Laycock, for LSOO aside, the Championship of England, and the Sportsman's Challenge Cup, took place to-day, over the usual course on the Thames, between Putney and Mortlake. The weather was fine and the water was smooth, and the banks of the river were lined with spectators throughout the course. The betting was four to one on Hanlan. A good start was effected. Hanlan com menced with 35, and Laycock with 38 strokes a minute. Hanlan at once took the lead, and was a length or more ahead at Simmons’ yard, and two lengths ahead at the mile post. At this point Laycock made a splendid spurt, and Hanlan’s lead was, for a time, materially decreased, but the latter again rapidly drew ahead, and was four lengths in advance of Laycock at Barnes’ bridge. He continued to in crease his lead, and reached the winning-post several lengths ahead, having led from start to finish, and completing the distance in 25 minutes 41 seconds.

The North of Ireland.

An extract from the Belfast JVltness of Nov. 2nd reads as follows : “It is a matter of pardonable pride, or we should rather say devout thank fulness, that here in the North we knqw nothing of the appalling state of things which has so blackened the name of other parts of Ireland. In Ulster, life and property are as secure as in Scotland or England—indeed, more secure, for our criminal statistics compare favorably with those of either country. Farmers in the North may have grievances to complain of as well as farmers in the South, but they do not resort to the blunderbuss or the .midnight foray to have them redressed. Landlords among us have their rights respected and their rents paid; and if their tenants have complaints against their rule, it is to constitutional means they resort for their settlement. Long may it be so ! Long may the Protestant North maintain its character for peacefulness and loyalty! Long may its sons and daughters set a pattern of industry and quietness to all the land ! It is a great injustice to us, and is calculated to leave an utterly erron eous impression on strangers, ignorant of the true state of the case, that when the outrages with the report of which the world is at present ringing, are spoken of in the press, all Ireland is lumped together in responsibility for them. Our American cousins, with their usual shrewdness, learned long ago to distinguish between the ‘ Irish ’ and the 1 Scotch-Irish ’ —to dread the arrival of shiploads of the one class, to welcome as sterling additions to the stock of their national probity and stability the other. It would conduce very much to truth as well as to the maintenance of our reputation as Ulstermen if such distinction were adopted by the press of England and Scotland. Not merely are we happily free from agrarian crime, and from sympathy or complicity with it—there is no greater detestation felt in England for the outrages in the South and West than here in Ulster. We all feel them not only a disgrace to Ireland, but a disgrace to humanity. Far and wide let this be known.”

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

JERRY’S GRANDMOTHER. 11. I had something to do besides cry when I shut myself in my little bed room. First I tried on father’s best pantaloons. He had never worn them since mother’s funeral, and had forgot ten he had anything but his old velveteens. They were a pretty good fit, and so were his boots. I would have to make a blouse of an old flannel dress of mother’s, a blue paid, and hating to cut into that, and wondering what she would say about my venture, hindered me a good while. Well, it was two o’clock in the morning when I dressed myself in my new suit and tried to see myself in my bit of looking-glass. 1 started back half frightened, such a big boy I looked to be. I had cut off my hair. That was a dreadful hard thing to do, but if I had stopped at that I would have had to give up going. Then I had a good cry. I remembered how mother used to brush and curl my hair, and how her hand lay on it when her eyelids shut down for ever. , . . . . . If you will believe it, father never noticed my red eyes in the morn ing, nor my short hair, but I kept on my sun-bonnet. “ I shall be gone when you come back, father. You must be very good to Pont. Give him enough to eat, and let him sleep by my bed at night.” Pont had a way of lying down by my bed whenever I went away, as if that comforted him.

Pont, who had seemed to be dozing on the doorstep, got up at my words and came close to me and pushed his nose into my hand. “ I haven’t any money for you, Peggy. Pay day don’t come until Saturday, and Stuart gives me no peace for that bill.”

“ Never mind the money, father. I can get along.” I had half a dollar mother gave me. Father was so absent-minded, like, he would have gone to work without kissing me good-bye. I slipped before him and half laughing took his pipe from his mouth.

“ Kiss me good bye, father,” with both arms around his neck.

“ You are a good girl, Peggy, you alius was.”

“ You will be good to Pont, won’t you, father ? ” “ Don’t worrit about us, child. Did you leave a good baking of bread ? ”

That was better than if he felt sorry about my going away, for then just as like as not I should have given up and stayed at home.

It was a tough long pull on a hot day from our house to “The Point,” but I made it before noon. I put into a narrow ravine about half a mile on the river side from Jerry Clark’s grand mother’s, and ate my bread and cold flapjacks sitting in my boat. There I had Dancing Polly well under the flags; nobody would have dreamed the boat was there. I cut a stick and swung my little bundle over my shoulder, showered myself with road dust, and struck off down the road with a long swinging gait. My greatest fear was that I should forget to be as deaf and stupid as I had decided to be, so if you will believe me, I scratched the back of my right had with a thorn—no little scratch either —to tell me of my ears. A few rods from the lonely cabin a log lay by the footpath. There I sat down* knowing that somebody would be watching me. I pretended to fall into a doze, but through the meshes of my hat I saw the big bouncing girl come to the door several times and watch me close. She tried sawing wood, but the saw got fast. Then she began picking up chips, watching me all the time.

It was a desolate, wind-swept spot. An old woman who would insist upon living there would have to be very fond of Lake Erie and its zephyrs. The island made a beautiful picture in the afternoon sunshine, and it was a fine place to watch the steamers and sloops, and the..long rafts, of logs bound for Tonawanda, if : one could live on those things, and did not mind how hard the wind blowed. A poor place for smug glers, thought I, and was sorry I had come. Why, a good field glass could

watch the place from a hundred points ; every inch of ground around it for a mile or more. There was neither boat nor landing, only a breakneck path to the water’s edge, where the flags were high and thick. The big girl came out when I got up and walked away. She had two water buckets, and she halted at the top of the path down the bank. I jogged on as if not seeing her. “ Hey, there 1” she called after me, but I was too deaf to hear. “ Hey, there ! Say ! Are you looking for work ?” I was half a mind to give up the deaf ness and hear her, but I slowly trudged on. “ Hey, there!” she shouted again, with no girl’s voice, sending a stone after me, which struck my hat. I turned round and stood stock still in the path. As she came up to me I motioned that I was hard of hearing. So she shouted in a loud voice, close to my ear : “ Are you looking for work ?” I said that I was, ducking my head for a bow, and that for all I was hard of hearing I could do as good work as anybody. I had been cook for lumber men, and was hoping to get better

wages up in Saginaw. “ Saginaw !” with an oath. It is good to be deaf sometimes. Such an odd-looking creature she was, but not much, if any, taller than Peggy Herrick. She had short, bristling hair, very much oiled, but still it would not stay parted in the middle ; a rough, blotched skin, laughing brown eyes, that made me less afraid of her than I would have been — eyes you can trust, somehow. Her chin was square and heavy well enough for a man—and when she walked her skirts seemed to trouble her a good deal. She told me just what I knew she would. Her grandmother was very sick, nigh unto death. She must have somebody to help her —somebody who could be useful in every way. She would rather have a man-servant, for she sometimes had to send by skiff across the river or over to Buffalo. Could I row? Then I was just the help she wanted, and she offered me good wages, and pay in advance. “ I’ll do my best to please, ma’am, and in a a little while you won’t mind my being so deaf.” I followed her back to the shanty, my heart beating fast enough. She made me understand that the lady would be distressed to see the face of a stranger. I must keep in the little kitchen. I began work at once by taking the two buckets and going down to the lake for water. There was a strange silence in the cabin, and some body was smoking cigars.

“ Miss Nancy ” was the name of my mistress, and she called me Trumps. I got a wonderfully big supper that night, considering nobody was supposed to want any but Miss Nancy and me. There was bean soup, broiled steak, black coffee, the leavings of a game pie, and bananas. The old lady had her “ death hunger,” Miss Nancy said, but I was so deaf she gave up trying to make me understand all about it. She carried the most of the supper into the side room. When she had shut the door behind her, and slipped the bolt, I heard her say : “ That’s the biggest piece of luck we poor devils ever had. Zounds !if we don’t save ourselves to-night we may as well give up.” “I must die to-night, sure!”—the same weezing voice I heard on Navy Island. “ Say Hank, why not send this dolt over with my coffin ?” “ That’s just what we will do, boys. What lucky dogs we are, after all. Catching him will be another thing from catching one of us.” “ It’s running a great risk,” said some body, hardly above a whisper; a cold, dis agreeable voice. If this thing goes on we are ruined. Captain Bedell is on our track. Jerry heard some of his passengers talking about it to-day. They think we make the run from Grand Island to Tonawanda—that we have a canal boat or a lumber sloop in the business. The Captain don’t sus pect Jerry. Asked him about his grand mother the other day. It seems there is a good deal of interest in the old lady.” They laughed at that, and the disagreeable voice broke in again : “ 111 not trust this boy until I have tested him. You say he is a Roman Catholic ?” Miss Nancy thought so because I crossed myself when she said the old lady was dying. “ Well, you send him up the lake shore in about an hour from now. I’ll play up Father O’Leary.” Their voices fell as if something had hushed them suddenly. I began spad ing up the garden beds outside the door, where the weeds had choked the lettuce. What a terrible place for me to be in 1 And the sun was down. And why had father let me come ? I looked off in the direction of Grand Is land, and was just on the point of throwing down my spade and running to where Dancing Polly was hidden, when Miss Nancy came out and bade me go to a hut on the river bank a half mile away, and borrow a skiff. The old woman was sinking, she said. I crossed myself. There was a mis sionary priest who would be at a cer tain locality that night, she was sure— a house where there was sickness farther up the lake. I was to find the priest without fail. The fishermen in that locality would know about him. That much she made me hear, but she thought me duller than usual, and my ears heard some hard things said about them.

Once out on the water I should have made for Grand Island, but Miss Nancy stood on the bluff, watching me with her eagle eyes, and I knew very well she would send a shot after me if I disobeyed her. No; I would go through with it all: but oh ! how I wished, just for a minute, that I had never been such a silly girl! There is a swift current, you know, where the river tide sets in from the lake—twelve miles an - hour or more— and I had something besides silly Peggy to think of just then. I kept as near the shore as I could, and had not gone as far as I expected when I saw a fire burning on the beach, such as the fishermen make. Between it and me stood the figure of a man. I could see that he was beckoning for me to come to shore. He was dressed like a priest—Father O’Leary, of course— and I was glad I should not have to go hunting the country over to find him.

I did not forget to be deaf. He screamed at me, and asked if I would take him two miles further up the lake j he would pay me well. Another priest was waidng for him he said, and it was a long journey to land. Surely any good fisherman would do as much for the sake of the blessed St. Peter.

But I put in my plea for the dying grandmother. He said no, he would not go, and looked at me as if I was something to run away from. He was a good actor, that Father O’Leary, and so was Peggy Herrick for once. “ You know, boy,” said he, gripping my arm, for I had pulled up to the beach and he had got into the boat, “ that those folks are smugglers. This is a wicked pretence of yours to get me into trouble. Confess your guilt: at once, or I will visit your soul with a curse.”

I made him believe that I believed in Miss Nancy and the grandmother; that I didn’t see through him and his trumped up clothes, and that I was just the one to go over to Buffalo that night. So, after a great deal of urging on my part and much hanging back on his, we rowed for the point. “ He’s all right.” I heard him say to Miss Nancy, who was waiting for our return. Then they went into the sick room, Miss Nancy pretending to wipe the tears from her eyes. I was called shortly afterwards to bring hot water, and had stumbled through the door quite into the grandmother’s pre sence before Miss Nancy could check me. I only saw a coffin standing upon a table near an untidy bed —not a large coffin, but it was empty and open, and the sight shocked me, so I gave a little scream, and laughed when she had fol lowed me out into the kitchen, and said the old lady was very queer ; she had had that coffin by her bed for more than a fortnight. Then went on to say that while I was gone on a message had come from Jerry. He was sick at Black Rock. If his grandmother should die that night they were to send her remains directly to him. Somebody would be waiting for them not far from the house where he was. She was glad I was such a good boatman. I would have to take the body over before morning, no doubt. She would follow in another boat with Father O’Leary, if he could be made to go rt all. “ Why not not wait for the daylight ?” I asked. “ Then we might miss Jerry. He gives the orders. We must do as he says.” I went up to the loft where my bed was, but with no idea of going to sleep. I did not undress. I threw myself down on the bed, and that was all I knew until I was awakened by Miss Nancy about midnight. The grand mother was dead, she said, and in her coffin. Father O’Leary would not cross the lake in the night for any money. She would have to slay at home, and 1 mu&t make the trip alone.

I moved about as in a horrible dream, talking to myself in my thoughts, and then only saying something like: “ Stick to it, Peggy. Don’t give up. You are almost through. Nothing will hurt you : and by to-morrow —only to morrow—you will be a very rich girl, Peggy; well paid for this night’s work. Keep up Peggy, keep up.” (To be continued.)

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

A BATHING PLACE.

To the Editor. Sik, —An early morning bathe is a luxury which has until lately been denied that portion of the public of Ashburton who have not felt inclined to sacrifice their time by taking a walk to the river. Now, however, a large number of individuals may be seen indulging in a dip in the water running through the Domain, and though the water is not particularly deep, and when disturbed soon becomes muddy, those bathing evidently enjoy their swim. As you have mentioned in your columns already, a dam placed in the Domain for the purpose of deepening the water would be a great boon to the public, and, sir, it has been suggested that if the Borough Council would lend a helping hand sub scriptions could be raised in the town for this purpose, and in comparison to the benefits accruing, for a very small sum quite a lengthy stretch of water might be obtained in the upper reach of the stream. I hope, sir, some of our worthy Councillors who have the sanitary condition of the town so much at heart will take the hint, and let us hear something about the matter at the next meeting of the Council. —I am, &o, Bather.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1881.



Special Advertisements. ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS H^r r COMMERCIAL AND FANCY STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT! of the above. Cream, Blue, and Hand - made Notepapers ; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Pens Gillott’s, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums, Books, &c. a H. M. JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Basing Square. The best value FOB. READY MONEY IS THE MEN'S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory,



Which, can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory's Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. O. Carstens <fc Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520*



U N E R A L NOTICE. The Friends of the late Mr. JOHN STONE FITZGERALD are respectfully informed that his remains will leave his late residence, Burnett street East, TO MORROW, February 17th, at half-past Two o’clock. 124 a W. KEALL.



TOWN EDITION. [lssued at ft



Holloway’s Pills.— These Pills are more efficacious in strengthening a debilitated consti tution than any other medicine in the world, fficaons of nervous habit of body, and all who are suffering from weak digestive organs, or whose health has become decayed by billious effections, disordered stomach, or liver com plaints, should lose no time in giving these admirable Pills a fair trial. Cough, colds, asthma, or shortness of breath, are also within the range of the senative powers of this very remarkable medicine. The cures effected by these Pills are not superficial or temporary, but complete and permanent. They are as mild they are efficacious, and may be given, wit confidence to delicate females and young chil dren.—Advt.



Lost. £1 Reward. STOLEN or STRAYED from Hinds Boundary, Longbeach, a dark brown hack MARE; off hind foot white ; branded C on off shoulder. The above reward will be paid to anyone giving such information as shall lead to recovery of same. 119 a JOHN GRIGG. £1 Reward. LOST, in Trevor ton, a POCKET CASE of SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. Apply, Office of this Paper. 115 a To Let. rp o L E T. A comfortable Four-Roomed T COT TAGE —bay window and verandah—in Peter street. Rent low. Apply, J. Omen, on the premises. 116 a



Impounding Notice. IMPOUNDED, at South Bakaia, Feb. 7th, frcm near the Pound, an old Black Light Draught HORSE, branded [upside down] on near shoulder, shod all round, heels on hind shoes. If hot released by 21st February, it will be sold at noon. GEO. SHELLOCK, 117 a Poundkeeper. WANTED— THE GUARDIAN tolls your Wants for Is., cash.



Wanted. WANTED, by a young person, a SITUATION as General Servant, Apply, Office of this Paper. 123 a WANTED —MARRIED COUPLE, for Maronan, without incumber ances. Man, odd jobs ; woman to cook for men. John Carter, Grove Souse, Tinwald. 82a w T N £ D. TENDERS to CUT 200 tons of Chaff, more or less. Apply, Ashburton Hay and Corn Store. ‘ r 122* w N E TENDERS for CARTING at blit 70 Cubic Yards (more or less) of Shingle, for New Bank, Kakaia. NELSON AND COUTTS, 113 a Ashburton.



WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanta Road, Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 808 ANTED KNO WN. That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East Ash burton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a ANTED MUSIC KNOWK H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &<s., has room for a few more Pupils for the Pianoforte, Harmonium, Violin, Flute, or Singing. Terms on application. Second hand instruments bought or sold bh com mission. . Address—Cameron street west., 86#



WANTED KNOWN—The LaboesT ‘ and Best Stocko! Sappekby i»: : . to be found at the shop qif S. STEPHEN S, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles ana _ t Breechens, from 505.; Reaping, Msuihiae Pole Straps, 2s. ' Farmers wsll’ ’. a great saving by buying of S. Stzphkn'S, “ Saddler, Tinwald. . ... tttANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ REGISTRY dPFICE for Male and Female Servants.—t. F. Andkewes t begs to inform the public of Ashburton | and surrounding districts that h<| - ,hf» : ' opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided.Em* ployers requiring servants; and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations; are requested fca'apply to L. F. Andbewes, Labor Agent, Book* ~ seller, and Stationer, East street,- SqutKr • ' ' • " ' j ' 5& ANTED KNOWN—That. * Church- .: of England minister’s wife, writes that she saves T en Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetreee’ ViUa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com-.' . bined; and, although slie permite Ao ; rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, _• and much cleaner than when done' by hand, while the saving in mending has ■ been astonishing. Sold by J, Range Maker and Importer; comer of 1 *- Manchester and Tuam atreets, Clm3t- r church; Price—£9.los. YoO :



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. : JW. M'RAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the ibove Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs, i ; ; j • , Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 Meetings. 10. G. T. —Unity DEGREE TEMPLE. # Special Meeting 1 of Third' Degree Members on THURSDAY, 17th inst:, at 8 o’clock, at the Templar Hall, for ex traordinary business. All Third. Degree , members invited. Thomas Williams,' ’ D.T. 106 a



T HISTLE LODGE, 627, S.C., ASHBURTON. The Regular Monthly MEETING of f the above Lodge will be held TO-MOR ROW (Thursday) EVENING, at the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, at 7.80' p.m.' Visiting Brethren invited. By order of the R.W.M.- G. GAUKRODGER, 118 a : Hon. Sec.



Amusements J O. O. ' F., ; M. " L ui LOYAL ASHBURTON LODGE/ No. eooa GRAND ANNIVERSARY Concert Of Vocal and Instrumental Music, Dances, and Comic Sketches, in the. -- TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON* ON MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 28; The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, No. 8003,, purpose celebrating their Anniversary with a Concert on the above date, when an ex cellent programme will be presented. A BaLL will take place immediately after the Concert. Doors open at half-past seven ; concert at eight prompt. JOSHUA TUCKER, N.G., 76a R. MINNIS, Secretary.



Public Notices. The education board op the DISTRICT OF NORTH CAN-, < ' TERBURY. ; SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LISMORE. ; * The Education Board of the District of North Canterbury hereby publicly notifies, in accordance with the provisions of”' 1 ""' Section 37 of the Education-^ct^lS??^ that a new School District has been duly formed, to be known by the name of Lismore, and that the following.sire the Boundaries of such district:— , , . . . , Commencing at the aouth-eastenr ' corner of section 1.6066, following the south-eastern boundary thereof, and a line in continuation'of 1 the . same to the south-western;comer of section 31564, thence ~nprth- j!7!3 :v westerly along the road north-east of section 31256 to the south-east corner of section 27930, and south westerly by the. boundary of said section, to the south-west comer thereof, 5 tWnce J north-easterly along _ the road south-east of section' -37939 to the southernmost corner of . the* section, and north-westerly by the south-west boundary thereof to the road south-east 1 of section 98476,-' thence south-westerly ifoUowing; - ' that road to the road soutJMrest' i - *-! of section 28476, thence north westerly by the tetter W'd .t£Jhe road north-west of 4sfeCtidtv SS7M9j thence north-easterly : along ;sajd road to the Hinds road north, and from thence returning;" ipogths easterly along the smpe the. pfjm mencing point. ' “'.'“L' J. V. COLBORNE YEEL, •' Secretary. Chrischurcb, February 14, 1881. 120 a EL *n o il: MiH LI