SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Saxon, schooner, from Pelorus Solind. Wave 'of Life, schooner, from Pelorus Sound. Go-Ahead, b.b., from Kekerangi. Tui, 8.8., from Wellington, via Keke rangi and Kaikoura. Aspacia, schooner, from Foxton. Lucy James, ketch, from Wellington. Elizabeth Conway, schooner, from Wel lington. To-day. Penguin, s. s., from Wellington. Grafton, s.s., from Oamaru Rotomahana, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Sailed. Yesterday. Westport, s. s., foa Timaru. Tui, s.s., for Kaikoura. Go-Ahead, s.s., for Stonyhurst. Aratapu, brigantine, for Kaipara. Sea Bird, brigantine, for Pelorus Sound. To-day. Grafton, s.s., for Wellington, Nelson, Westport, and Greyraouth. Rotomahana. s.s., for Northern ports. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—City of New York, for Sydney ; Taiaroa, for Fiji; Hawea, for the South, with the Southern San Francisco mails. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Penguin, from Picton and Nel-on ; Wanaka, from the South ; G. .a. Tucker, from Newcastle. Post Chalmers, Yesterday.

Arrived—Te Anau, from the North ; Wanganui and Martha Reid, from Grey mouth ; Marion Neil, with sugar, from Mauritius ; Stella, Government steamer, from the coast.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, December 17. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his rooms— Privileges, Caledonian Sports ; 2 p.m. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.m. Tuesday, December 20- Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o To-night, Thursday, December 15. Thistle Lodge—Monthly Meeting, 7.30 p.m. To-morrow, Friday, December 16. United Masonic Ball, Masonic Hall, 8.30 p. m. Tuesday, December 20. Musical Festival, Town Hall, 8 p.m Wednesday, December 21. Local Industries Association, Monthly Meeting, Upper Boom, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Monday, December 26. Caledonian Society’s Annual Gathering. Monday, January, 2. Winslow Annual Races and Sports ; first event at 11 a. m. Wakanui Annunl Baces and Sports. Tuesday, January 3. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 4. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock. Thursday, January 5. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Bead Board Office, Moore street L.O.L. —Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4 30 p. m. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1881. France and M. Gambetta.

For eleven years past, under the out ward form of a .Republic, France has been governed by one man, that man being M. Gambetta. If he chose, he could say with quite as much truth as Louis XIV. ever did, “ L’ etat ’cest mot.” Of Jewish extraction and a Frenchman by birth, he may be said to be a born financier and diplomatist, and his remarkable powers, both as lawyer and orator, attracted public notice in the last days of Imperialism, by his brilliant defence of a prisoner before the Supreme Criminal Court of France. On entering Parliament he became at once a man of mark. Shut up in Paris when it was closely in vested by the Prussians, he escaped in a balloon, made his way to "fours, where the Assembly was then sitting, and through his eloquence, capacity, and energy became immediately the life and soul of the defence. On the peace being declared with Germany, and the French Republic being con solidated, he was again returned to Parliament by an overwhelming majority, and could haw: been elected by just as many constituencies as he chose to be a candidate for. He made no attempt to secure the highest post in the State—the Presi dency of the Republic —for himself, quite satisfied in the real power without the show of it. Like, our own Karl of Warwick four hundred years ago, he has been the king-maker whoever might be the king. Alike under Thiers, Macmahon, and Grevy, he was the mysterious power in the background which everyone obeyed. The Cabinets he supported stood, and the Cabinets he opposed soon came to grief. And on the whole his power was used well, for the benefit of his country and of the civilised world. Through confidence in him the country promptly paid off the heaviest war in demnity ever levied on any nation, and, by virtue of its innate resources, became soon as wealthy as before. France remained prudently at peace with all Furope, and the internal government of the country became steadily improved. In an evil hour he countenanced and supported the unjust and aggressive war with Tunis—the successes in which have been ac companied by so much blundering, < < .r, • • -'t'J.'TUTij I 1

loss of men, and loss of money, that France is already thoroughly dis satisfied, and even M. Gambetta is charged with having urged on the war for his own private and pecuniary ends. In France the favorite of the hour is soon ruined, if his reputation is once blown upon, unless he accomplishes something startling to retrieve himself, and accordingly, when the late Cabinet were dismissed, there was a general cry on the part of both foes and friends for M. Gambetta to take the post of Premier. He has done so and formed an administration.

It is not a strong one, however, and is not thought likely to last. At the last election M. Gambetta only received just sufficient support to be. returned to the Assembly. Whether it be that in forming his Cabinet he has avoided choosing men of sufficient public repute to be possible rivals to himself, or whether it be that the ablest public men do not care to be palpably overshadowed by a leader of vast reputation, or whether it be that, for various reasons, the Ministry are not considered in France likely to have a long lease of official life, it is certain that the present Ministry is not thought to be a combination at all equal to what was expected. In Germany, where French affairs are for palpable reasons closely watched, the present French Ministry is openly laughed at. To Great Britain, though the pros perity of her nearest and greatest neigh bor is an object greatly to be desired, there may be no loss, but a gain, in the weakness of the French Ministry. The commercial treaty between Great Britain and France which has been so enormously advantageous to both coun tries, and has formed millions of money into both Treasuries, will expire de finitely next February. It is reported, and is probably true, that M. Gambetta intends to signalize himself by setting popular prejudice at defiance and re newing the treaty. It is a bold stroke of policy and a wise one, but whether it is to be successful or not is a matter which it is impossible at present to for see.

Our Christmas Story. —We would re mind intending competitors for our Christmas Story prize that the time for sending in manuscripts will close at noon on the 20th inst. We trust that those who may be thinking of sending in stories will lose no time in doing so

Wakanui Sports. —ln another column will be found the programme of these annual sports, which take place on Monday, Jan. 2. A.R.Y.—The Ashburton Company of Rifles will parade this evening, and are requested to muster to-morrow morning to proceed to Timaru by the early train. Ashburton Home. —The following are the successful tenderers for the yearly wants of the Old Men’s Home ;—Rations and extras, Orr and Co.; medical comforts and fuel, Friedlander and Go.; medicines, C. G. H. Neate ; interments, T. A. Gates.

Drunkenness. —At the R.M. Court this morning George Digby, who pleaded veryhaidtobe let off, and made many promises to “clear out of the town” if his Worship would only take a lenient view of his case, was fined 10s for drunkenness, with the usual sad alterna tive.

Bank Holidays. —By advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that Tuesday, the 27th December, and Monday, Janu ary 2nd next, will be observed as special Bank holidays by the undermentioned Banks: —Union Bank of Australia, Bank of Now South Wales, Bank of Australasia, Bank of Now Zealand, National Bank of New Zealand, Colonial Bank of New Zealand. The Notorious Rendlb.-— At the Na pier Supreme Court yesterday, Rendle, for the late Post Office robberies, was ac quitted on one charge and sentenced to six years on another. The others are yet to be heard.

Wild Dogs.—Wild dogs are stated to be becoming numerous in some parts in land. One hundred and fifty have been killed on one station near Dunedin during the last year. A Warning.—William Gabb, the far mer suffering from blood-poisoning by pricking his hand with a knife which had been used in scraping some sheep infected with foot-rot, had to have his arm amputated at the Auckland Hospital yes terday. The Cash Palace Fire at Timaru.— The Supreme Court at Timaru yesterday wasoccupiedfromlOa.m. to 10.30 p.m. in hearing the charge of arson against Abraham and Lewis Moses, of the Cash Palace drapery store, Timaru. The store was burnt down in September last under very suspicious circumstances. The jury, after a retirement of half an hour, re turned with a verdict of “ Not Guilty ” against both the accused. His Honor re marked that he supposed the prisoners now understood the verdict that the evi dence was not strong enough, but the case was certainly suspicious against them. A Nice Boy.—The Church of England minister at llingbark has (says .iEgles in the Australasian) a great contempt for the great unordained, and has educated his family in his own way of thinking. The reverend gentlemen had left his little son at a station while he went his rounds. Before he seturned, a Wesleyan minister called, and the lady of the house being engaged, the parlor maid showed him into the drawing-room. Whereupon young Hopeful, who had recognised what he deemed one of the inferior order of clergy, remonstrated with the maid-servant, say ing, so as to be audible to the visitor, “ You have n’t shown him into the parlor, have you ? Ho ain’t a gentlemen. He aiu’c ordained like my Pa !” A Case for Charles Reade.—Lunatic asylums seem to be peculiarly liable to suffer from bad management. A Mel bourne Argus of a recent date says : “ The staff of the Sunbury Asylum for the Insane must be in a deplorable con dition of disorganisation, if the proced ings at the inquiry recently are to be ac cepted as an indication of the relations which exist between the officers. There does not appear to bo any system of subordination worthy of the name, and the attendants seem to be pitted one against the other, .and to cherish the hope that something may transpire upon which to base an accusation, no matter how trivial the circumstance may be. Some men are believed to be favorites of the superintendent, and to receive advantages in consequence, while others are over looked, and in the female division also the officers appear to be acting in opposition to each other. In a great measure this lack of unity is to bo attributed to the non-attendance, excepting at long inter vals, of the visitors appointed to inspect the institution. There would appear to bo some inmates who, if not in possession of all their faculties, are at least in such a condition of mind as render their deten tion unnecessary. The head laundress, for example, said that a female patient who had been removed from Kew bad not shown y symptoms of unsouudness of inte.l ict in the twelve months she had known her and a man who is ostensibly a patient, and employed as a groom, was also declared to be sane. Indeed, ho appears to enjoy more liberty than some of the officers, and to be as well known in the township ns at the asylum.

Licensing Court. The quarterly Licensing Court was held Tt noon to-day. The business was very light. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere.

Land Sale. —Mr J. T. Ford, of the well-known firm of Ford and Co., acting in conjunction with Messrs Friedlander Bros., to-day submitted to the hammer at the sale-rooms of the latter, landed pro perty by the order of the trustees in the estate of the late Sir Cracroft Wilson. The attendance was not large, and only two lots, Nos. 7 and 8 (leasehold pro perty, education reserve), were disposed of by Ruction; although we believe nego tiations are pending for the purchase pri vately of other lots. Lots 7 and 8, the first comprising 227 acres, arid the latter 33 acres, were sold at L 6 per acre, to Mr A. Rescue, of the Hinds. American Doctors’ Bills. —For forty two days the four surgeons attendant on President Garfield—Bliss, Barnes, Wood ward, and Reyburn— charged the GoTern ment 4,200d01a, or lOOdols each per day, Dr Agnew’s bill for the same number of days for “ consultations, operations, and visits,” was 32,600d015, and Dr Hamilton, for “visits and consultations,” rendered a bill for a similar amount; the medical men’s services amounted to 87,000d01a (L 17.520).

Teetotal Abstinence. —Mark Twain’s latest good thing is to be found in the book of autographs presented to Mrs Hayes on leaving the White House, in recognition of the remarkable success with which she had “ run the Presidency” on teetotal principles. Mark Twain.s signa ture appears among those of other cele brities with the characteristic eulogy of total abstinence, “ Total abstinence is so excellent that it is impossible to carry its principle to too great a length. I there fore totally abstain even from total abstin ence.”

Sad, Very. —So far as Presbyterian church bazaars in Victoria are concerned, all art unions, raffles, etc., in connection therewith are for the future to be discon tinued. At least a motion to that effect has been passed by the General Assembly, and it is to be remarked that the dis cussion upon it brought to light a novel and distressing phase of gambling. So wide is the evil spreading that the spirit of betting in one form or another intrudes itself upon the most ordinary contingen cies. One reverend gentleman recounted how in a certain Presbyterian church of his acquaintance young men were in the habit of laying wagers during the collec tion as to which of the plate-carriers would get through his work first. The next thing they heard of, remarked the same gentleman, would probably be betting as to the length of the sermon and the laying of odds as to the number of the headings under which the discourse might ho divided.

Dean Stanley’s Handwriting. We have not the slightest doubt as to the truth of that amusing story, at present going the round, with respect to the M.S. of the article contributed to an American magazine by the late Dean Stanley, and which had to be returned to one of the Dean’s friends in England to decipher as no printer in the United States could make it out. The figure of a fly walking over a sheet of paper after its legs had been dipped in an ink-bottle presented but a faint image of the Dean’s usual cali graphy. On the occasion of the unveiling of the Bunyan Statue at Bedford one of the London reporters congratulated him self on fecuring the M.S. of the address which the Dean delivered on that occa sion. With this in he gave no heedl to the subsequent proceedings, be yond partaking with great heartiness of the dinner, and returned to town in a very comfortable frame of mind, only dropping into Elect street for a few minutes in order to deposit the Dean’s precious paper with the printer. Then he hied home to the bosom of his family in Brixton, feeling at peace with all man kind. He had not been in bed, however, above half an hour, when a P.D. arrived in hot haste, summoning him back to the office. The printers were not able to make out one word in twenty, and the editor was imperative that they must have the Dean’s address So our awakened re porter had to sit down and extend his notes in hot haste, and with a disgust which may be imagined. We may add, by the way, a fact which we have nowhere seen noted. Of the distinguished literary men in England of about the same age as Dean Stanley, especially such as have been trained either at Oxford or Cam bridge, a majority wrote very bad hands ; and wo have several which, like_ the Dean’s were the despair of every printer who had the misfortune to make a profes sional acquaintance with them. Internatonal Exhibition, Christ church. —Those that wish to be repre sented at the International Exhibition to be held in Christchurch in March next, should inform us of their intentions. We have been connected with all the Exhi bitions held in the colonies. At the late Adelaide Exhibition we represented sixty exhibitors, for which we received ten special gold medals, forty-nine first and one second award, three of which were New Zealand firms (D. Strange and J. T. Martin, Invercargill, and T. Be van, Wellington). Our plan is to represent the exhibitors, transact their husines, fix their exhibits on their space, attend to the judging of exhibits on their space, and anything necessary while the exhibi tion remains open; at the close pack and send back exhibits or sell them, or duplicates thereof if required. It is very inconvenient for exhibitors to come to the Exhibition to fix their exhi bits, which amounts to an expense, be sides the loss of time which must neces sarily be expended on them. Then, again, the exhibitors have a benefit, they have no trouble of getting space. They let us know how much is required, and we got it for them, as we have a large amount granted to us. We fix the ex hibits on a better space than if they ap plied themselves. Our terms are mode rate. We specially caution the public against giving their exhibits to so-called Exhibition agents, who go the rounds of Exhibitions and run exhibitors into debt and other difficulties. On account of our not being able to give exhibitors the exact amount of our fee, as it is impossible to do so until we know the size of exhibit, they may rely on it being 7nost reason able. The exhibits should be addressed “Albert S. Handers and Co., Christ church Eshibii Ini. '’ If exhibitors will kindly send a note stilting how much space they require, no further trouble will be necessary.—A Lr.EitT S. Handers and Co., British and Colonial Manufacturers, Agent. Head office—9l Little Collins street East, Melbourne; and at London St Paul’s Buildings; Adelaide—G7 King William street; Perth, Western Australia; 6 Town Hall. Permanent branch in Christchurch after Ist of February.— Advt.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE

[I’ER REUTER’S AGENCY.] Shipping. London, Dec. 12. Arrived —Portland, ship, from Ti maru, sailed Aug. 14. Money and the Markets. Consols are at New Zealand securities and colonial breadstuffs are without quotable change. The Wool Sales. The fourth series of wool sales closed to-day. The total quantity sold was 120,000 bales. 10,000 bales were held over for next series. A fair cpmpeti

lion was experienced at the closing sale.

A Neoassary Precaution. London, Dec. 13.

A large and. important meeting was held to day at the Mansion’ Hoflse, when an influential Committee was formed, for the purpose of raising money for the defence of property in Ireland. France's Representative. Fanis, Dec. 12. It is announced that M. Chandordy has been appointed to succeed General Chanzy as French Ambassador to the Russian Court. The Commercial Treaty with France. In accordance with the' Understand ing arrived at last mionth between Sir Charles Dilke and M. Gdmbetta and M. Rouher, formal negotiations have been opened here between the French and English delegates, with a view to the conclusion of a commercial treaty. Sir Charles Dilke is not, however, present at the Conference which is now proceeding. An Explanation Wanted. Washington, Dec. 13.

Further dispatches which have been published regarding Peru and Chili, show that Blaine, the Secretary of State, announces that his Government has sent an envoy to the Chilian President, asking him to explain his action of last month in arresting Signor Calderon, President of Peru and deporting him to Santiago.

AUSTRALIAN.

|i>eh kbuter’s agency.] The Produce Market. Melbourne, Yesterday. New Zealand feed oats are quoted at 3s, and milling at 3s 3d ; market Very dull. Wheat is unchanged. Shipping. Sailed —Albion, s.s., for the Bluff. The Premier’s Intentions. Sydney, To-day. In the Legislative Assembly last night, Sir Henry Parkes, Premier, made a lengthy statement regarding his ap preaching visit to England. He stated that he undertook the same solely on account of ill-health, but that while in America he would interview the United States Government and endeavor to obtain free admission of Australian wool to America. All the Colonial Go vernments, except Victoria, had au thorised him to act on their behalf in this matter. Sir Henry further an nounced that lie would, acting in con cert with New Zealand, do his utmost to obtain an American contribution to wards the subsidy for the San Francisco mail service. While in London he in tended to re-arrange the system of emi gration to New South Wales. Parlia ment would be prorogued between February and June, and in the latter month he expected to return to the colony. In his absence his _ duties would be performed by his colleagues, and his journey would cost the colony nothing.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Another Fire. Patra, To-day. A six-roomed cottage belonging to Laurence Salmon, a builder at Kakara mea, was accidentally burned last evening. The house was insured for LIOO in the Union, and LSO in the National, and the furniture for LSO in the National. No thing was saved. Christchurch Exhibition. Christchurch, To-day. At a meeting of the committee ap pointed to assist Joubert and Twopenny, in connection with the projected Na tional Exhibition, it was reported that the building will be erected somewhat in the form of a Maltese cross, 600 feet long each way, with avenues 45 feet in width. A site for the Exhibition on Papanui road, about one and a half miles from Christchurch has been offered them. The agent for the promoters stated that all the space for England, America, and Europe would be fully occupied, and that thirty applications had already been re ceived for space for New Zealand ex hibits. Well Done. Dunedin, To-day. The Government have accepted the Westport Company’s tender for the supply of 30,000 tons of coal for railway purposes during 1882. “ As the Tree Falls.” A man named Archibald Watson, re siding at Woodhaugh, was killed last night by a tree he was felling falling on him.

CRICKET.

WEST CANTERBURY ASSOCIA TION v. ASHBURTON.

Tho above match was played to day on the Domain ground, the visiting team arriving by the express train. Ash burton won tho toss and put their opponents in first. A very strong nor’- west wind was blowing during the after noon, and made it anything but pleasant to play, consequently the fielding was very faulty. T. Feary and Rutherford were the first to face tho bowling of Fooks and Farquhar. The former very soon put to gether 18 runs and the latter 12 in very grand stylo. The play on both sides was very good, and considering the weather very good scores were made. At 3.45, when our reporter left the ground, the first innings had just concluded. The fol owing are tho scores : West Canterbury—lst innings. T. Feary, c Farquhar b Fooks ... 18 G. Rutherford, c Farquhar b Fooks . 12 T. H. Anson, run out 9 H. Feary, b Fooks 2 S. Simpson, b Fooks ... 2 ,T. Crocker, c Farquhar b Fooks ... 2 .1., Kump, Ibw ... ... ... ... 5 R. N. Hopkins, b Farquhar 0 J. Creswell, b Fooks ... 3 J. Sawle, run our. 1 W. Robert, not out 0 Extras ... 19 Total ... 73

QUARTERLY LICENSING COURT.

ASHBURTON— To-Day. (Before Messrs 0. P. Cox (Chairman), J. Ward, and R. Alcorn, Licensing Com missioners.) Wheatstone Hotel. —The police re ported that this house was very poorly furnished. The bedrooms were all but empty, and tho bar and sitting-rooms con tained nothing but a few chairs, etc. Mr Oliver, the licensee, admitted that the house was not furnished, and Sergeant Fel ton explained to the Bench that Oliver had taken over the house from Esc )tt, the previous licensee about three months ago. He had imagined that the furniture was included in the agreement, but had very soon found out his mistake. Under the Publichouse Ordinance of 1870, licen sees of hotels wore required to provide ten bed-rooms, two sitting-rooms, public room, bar, etc Mr Oliver said that he had understood the furniture was in* I eluded in the agreement when he took the I house, or he would not have gone there. I

Could their Worships give him any time in which to get the place furnished 1 Me had no doubt Mr Benson, the owner of the house, would see that it was furnishea. The Bench said it would give Mr Oliver one month in which to comply with the

ordinance. _ . Methven Hotel.— Sergeant Melton said that this house was very poorly fur nished. In his opinion, at least four bed rooms ought to be made comfortable. At present the house was only likely to be patronised by swaggers and working men. The Bench said the four bed-rooms must be properly and comfortably fitted up as suggested. They would allow until- the end of January for the completion' of the work. Central Hotel, Ashburton.— Sefgt. Felton said that last quarter’s report had not been favorable to the above house, aisd a number of complaints had been then made to the police respecting it. During the past quarter, however, the house had been much better conducted, and the com plaints not nearly so numerous The police had taken uo action re the former complaints, partly bewonse the evds com plained of had been lessened, and partly because a principal witness had been un able to appear owing to his having broke Extension of Lic?ense Wanted. Mr Compton, of Rakaia, applied for an ex tension of his license for tne Bakaia sports day, which was granted. There being no other business, and no further complaints on the part of the police, the Court then rosd.

DISCONTENTED CANDIDATES

The following article, taken from yesterday’s Lyttelton Times, correctly puts the opinions of very many sensible persons - As human nature is nowhere perfect under the most favorable conditions, it is not likely to be perfect on the hustings under the influence of defeat. Hence we expect a large proportion of the rejected candidates after an election to make un dignified displays. The present is no ex ception to the rule, but we think it is an occasion on which the rule has been signalised by extreme lightness of applica tion. The unusually large proportion of dignity and manliness in the speeches of the defeated candidates is probably the natural result of the unusual absence of excitement, which, in its turn, is due to two things, want of political interest, and the enforced calm which the election day owes to the Corrupt Practices Act. That there should be still several individuals who lay the blame of their failure upon everything and anything but the right thing, is only natural. Under the in fluence of disappointment men will sa,y hard things of Returning-Officers, of their opponents, of the constituency they have just been wooing. One man will blame the axle of a carriage, while another twits his opponent with the length of his_ purse, or the electors with the length of their ears. A third ta.ints the men who have rejected him with having made a mistake, a fourth uses strong language, and a string of others impute motives. In pleasant con trast are those who come up smiling, and, thanking their friends, manfully accept defeat in courteous terms, some men adding the compliments of the approach ing season. This example, no doubt, all those of the defeated who took their punishment not like men, will by this time be regretting they did not follow. Into these things, however, it is useless to enter, for nothing will alter human nature, which, as we think has been re marked before, is imperfect. But there is one thing which we cannot help saying. Many of the candidates who were de feated have been expressing themselves very strongly concerning the voters who, after promising them their support, either failed to give it, or gave it to somebody else. We ask these gentlemen, what right have they to know how any man intended to vote ? Have we the ballot here ? Is not the ballot set up for the protection of those voters who require to be protected against might in the free exercise of their right as freemen 1 If people go about making out lists of voters, what does the protection of the ballot amount to ? The fact is that a law which protects the voter only at the ballot boxes, leaving him open during weeks to deter mined shrewdness of attack, is imperfect. As long as canvassing is permitted at all, so long is the ballot either good in name only, or the breeder of a race of electoral hypocrites. If candidates were forced to do all their electioneering in public, we should have more protection in the ballot, and less of that form of verdancy—at pre sent very common—which is taken in by the supposed pledges of electors.

A LONDON PREACHER ON LONDON.

♦ Mr C. H. Spurgeon, minister of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington Butts, in presiding at a weekly lecture a few days ago, observed in opening the proceedings that never, perhaps, was it more necessary for those living in Lon don to pray earnestly than at the pre sent time. He had heard it said that there were now 4,700,000 living souls within the metropolitan district. Such a city never before existed on the face of the earth. Ancient Rome was im mensely large and magnificent, while it was difficult to accurately make out whiat was its population, but, of a cer tainty, in the days of its highest glory and splendor, it never even approxi mated the size of the London of to-day. Nor could China with its teeming mil lions, and its great cities, such as Pekin, boast of any city to be compared to London, to make up which would take the two largest cities in the world, while it would require five of the other foremost cities. Perhaps many of his hearers had not even an idea of what a million meant. If there were any such present he would recommend them to count a thousand, and observe the time occupied in so doing, though they had only got one-thousandth the way to the million. Then to think that this enor mous multitude making up modern London was continually increasing, not only by births, but by those daily flock ing into it from various parts of the country. Well might they cry out to God that the people might be blessed. There were many Abrahams to-day re quired to pray for such a city as this. He (Mr Spurgeon) had often heard a great deal about plans that were to con vert the whole of London in a short time; but he candidly confessed that he believed in none of these “plans” whatever.

[.For continuation of reading matter see first page.]

DHE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1881.



"fjl HE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, noted throughout the Colony for the best fitting and Genuine Well-made CLOTHING Of Every Description, are the LARGEST PRIZE-TAKERS At the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition having been awarded FIRST ORDER OF MERIT, HIGHLY COMMENDED jjy THU! intelligent jurors. One trial will prove the Superior Quality of all Products. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Branches at all the principal Towns. HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, BLANKETS, RUGS, TWEEDS, At Wholesale Prices. NEW SEASON’S GOODS NOW SHOWING. Ashburton...Retail Branch ; East Street. W. SPARROW, 693 c Branch Manager. Christmas Presents NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. JUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods in great variety. Letts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader gv. 42); Boys’ Standard (new series) ; test Novelties in Pipes. F, CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d l h. A large assortment of Repps tonnes at lowest prices. Suites of from Ll 3 and upwards. All niture re-covered and repaired west prices. -anteed and completed at Furniture exchanged, liven for second-hand and also AND John Meech, mencan onairs, oaai o ic auvi \ Wood Bedsteads. 11 vinds of Carpeting, Matting, and 4 . • Panno Cheapest House in <i Office, Burnett 816 c



Wanted. WANTED— A GIRL, 13 or 14 years of age, to look after children. Apply, Office of this Paper. -339 d WANTED KNOWN —Mrs Hender son, Dressmaker, Burnett street, near Catholic Church. Ladies’ Dresses made from 5s 6d. Apprentices Wanted. 306 d WANTED —Everybody to see Ready Money Richard’s advertisement. ' 119 d WANTED KNOWN—During the Christmas Season, FRTEHLaNDER BROS, are selling NEW FRUIT, NEW FRUIT, Currants, 6id ; Elemes, 7d ; Sultanas, 8d ; Candied Peel, Is 6d ; Best Butter, 6d; and General Groceries equally cheap for Cash. 3lßd WANTED KNOWN—If you want to Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Boncdust. —Address F. Mayo, Uamstead Mills. WANTED KNOWN. —SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS YERRALL is now Showing her First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookham House.) WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 760 c WANTED KNOWN—That Geo. F. Henry, "HOTOGRAPHER, has much pleasure in announcing that he has now “ put his house in order,” and will be able to RE OPEN his Studio on WEDNESDAY next (Dec. 14th). At the same time he wishes to apologise to his patrons for any delay in the execution of orders entrusted to him previous to the recent fire. 324 d WANTED KNOWN.—Just received a consignment of “ Novelties,” together with new, rare and generally esteemed varieties of Flower Seeds, annual and perennial, in addition to those cata logued. Those of my customers who have not had their orders for Garibaldi Bulbs, Carnations, &c., will oblige by calling for he same. A very fine stock of bedding out Plants will be ready in September and October. W. Gimblett, Colombo street, Christchurch. 580 c mavarj mi —i—JJaga9tßgiaß»aTAiTiWi , lKsSgaaPaiWW»P^*J*C Special Advertisements. THE undersigned will be prepared, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates; — REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, Ac., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d



H E COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON. Heads of Families, and all who wish to obtain suitable articles for Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS Are respectfully invited to inspect the unrivalled assortment of Toys, Fancy Goods, Christmas and New Year’s Cards, etc., just opened up by the undersigned. Also STATIONERY. Plain and Fancy Note Paper and Enve lopes, Account and Memorandum Books, School Books, etc. An extensive stock to select from. Schools liberally dealt with. H. M. Jones, EAST STREET AND BARING SQUARE. Pianos, Organs, Harmoniums, and all kinds of Musical Instruments on Deferred Payments. A quantity of SHEET MUSIC very cheap. Lowest Prices for Cash. 293 d rW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Waiter B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE — CORNER OP WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c JJ IX M O N K’ £ ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcock and Thurston of the highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony, FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGLE Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 25c Christchurch. fJIHE ACID CURE. F. COUTTS and SONS’ Guaranteed ACETIC ACID is a safe and sure remedy for Rhcuma ism, Neuralgia, Sore Throats, etc May be obtained from Mackay Bros, Manchester street, South, Christ church, Wholesale and Retail, or from Mr Thomas Collins, Main South Road, Timaru.



AN AGENT WANTED FOR ASH BURTON. 734 c Ashburton registry office, For Male and Female Servants. All orders for Servants by letter or otherwise receive prompt attention. L. F. ANDREWES, Labor Agent, East Street, 765 c Ashburton. O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G. I>. 1). Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con jertinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Orpins, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON.



Special Advertisements. BA.CE FROM THE FRONT.—The scare at T’arihaka is over; our vo lunteers have proved themselves equal to the occasion, and although no fighting was done, they were the “ boys” to do it had it been required; a brush with the “ blackfellows ” was what they went for. Nevertheless they did a good deal of hard tramping up hill and down dale; and the astonishing fact is that most of them, having been provided wi'h STOUT BOOTS from O. HA WHINS’ never-tb-be excelled Boot and Shoo Warehouse, came back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-ahead * j ttle township. Try C. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S CARDS. Just Best and Newest Assortment ever seen, including Scented Satchels and Fringed Cards L. F. Andkewes, Bookseller and Stationer, East street. South Ashburton. 672c* gPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Christmas Story. As a special attraction for Christmas, the Proprietor of the Ashburton Guardian offers a Prize of Three Guineas for the best original Christmas Story, to be written by an author resident in the Asnhurton County, and published in the columns of the Guardian. The story will be published in the columns of this journal, and the Pro prietor reserves to himself all right and privileges connected with its publication. A Committee of gentlemen will adjudge the M. S. S. and make the award, and due notice of their decision will ap pear in these columns. CONDITIONS. All competitors for the Prize will be required to comply with the following conditions : (1) The story must be written by a bona fide resident of the Ashburton County. (2) The number of words employed must not exceed 400 lines. (3) Competitors will be required to write on white paper only ; on one side of the paper only, and in a plain legible hand. No member of the staff of this journal will bo allowed to compete. (4) All the MSS. must be addressed to the Editor, and may be signed with a non de plume, hut the writer’s real name and address must be enclosed, not necessarily for publication. (5) No award will be made unless more ‘.han three stories are submitted. (6) Rejected MSS. cannot be re turned. N.B.—All MSS. must be sent in on or before December 20. Any manuscript coming to hand after date will be ineli gible.



AYINU ASHBURTON. GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROc. Will on Saturday, Decembers, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of their new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit tine's, Ac., For Sale.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed Thk Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



Holloway's Pills. —The chiefest wonder of modern times. —This incomparable medicine increases the appetite, strengthens the stomach, cleanses the liver, corrects biliousness, prevents flatulency, purifes the system, invigorates the ner%’es, and re-instates sound health. The enormous demand for these Pills throughout the globe astonishes everybody, and a single trial convinces the most sceptical that no medicine equals Holloway’s Pills in its ability to remove all complaints incidental to the human race. They are a blessing to the afflicted, and a boon to all that labour under internal or external disease. The purification of the blood, removal of all restraint from the secretive organs, and gentle aperitive action are the prolific sources of j the extensive curative range of Holloway’s Pills. [Advt.] I



Mee kings' J>E ion to . Id AE,V. COMPANY will PARA TO-NIGHT, at 7- Tha Oi jany* will muster at the Railway Stai it 6 a.m. on Friday, to t 'woca«i Eimaru. ” Mb WASON’S COMMITTEE sr requested to meet at “jJWJ Poyntz and Co.’s Office on THUfit®SiJ EVENING, the 15th December, iU « p. m. A full attendance requested. S. E. POYNTZ, 322 d Clerk to Committee.-- * -t Thistle lodge, 627, s.c., ash-c ---burton. The Regular MONTHLY-MEETING of the above Lodge will be held THIS (Thursday) EVENING, at the Masonic Hall, Tancred street, at 7.30 p.m. Visit ing Brethren invited. _ F, GA DKRODGER, 343 d Hon. Sec. Amusements., 4 UNITED MASONIC A BALL Wffl be hek d at the MASON IC HALL, TAN CRED STREET, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 188 L Coararmre: ' , ' ro. R. W. Shearman Bro. n ro. W. H. Gundry Bro. W. & k ro". H.’ Stephenson ro. C. Braddell ro. T. Quill . ro. G. St. Hill ro. H. Zander Bro. "W. Bro.R. Bro. Bro. S. Nelson Bro. Ed. Saundeirs iJro. D.M‘Farlane Bro. B. G. Oriap- Admission by 1 icket : Tickets may be obtained froin. mittee. Dancing to commence at 8.30 p.m. HENRY ZANDER, 140 d Hon. Sec. A 1 SHBURTON SACRED FESTTVAL. - “ Messiah.” For the first time in Ashburton will be given, Handel’s Oratorio “THE MESSIAH,” At the Town Hall, on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20.



Doors open at 7.30 ; to commence at 8 p.m. Tickets, 2s each, can be obtained from Mr H. M. Jones, or the Hon. Secretary (W. Townshend). Railway Notices, EW ZEALAND (Christchurch Section.) FARES.—ANNIVERSARY DAY; 1881. between Stations within the Provincial District of Canterbury on 15th, 16th, or 17th December will be available for return up to and including the 19th. On the 36th the Evening Train from Christchurch to Ashburton will start at 5.20 p.m., and run 55 minutes later than usual throughout the journey. No Goods Traffic on 16th. FREDK. BACK, Traffic Manager. District Traffic Manager’s Office, Christchurch, Dec. 10,188 L . 3883 STRAYED, from tether, at Trevorton,- on the night of Friday, Dec. 9, a Brown Mare PONY, with white star and fractured face. Whoever will deliver her to owner, or give information leading to her recovery, will be rewarded.: Apply for address Office of this Paper. <357d Late Advertisements. SHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. All Ordinary Single Fare Tickets issued Lost.



The Annual Distribution of Prizes will take place at the School TO-MOOROW Morning (Friday), at 11 o’clock. The friends of the pupils are invited to be present. SPORTS «fc RACES, TO BE HELD OK MONDAY, JAN. 2, 1882. HORSE EVENTS. Hurdle Race Flat Race Trotting Race. For all untrained horses, the property of residents in the Wakanui Road Board District three months before the day of entry. ATHLETIC SPORTS. Quarter Mile Handicap Hurdle Race Men’s One Mile Handicap Race Quoits ; distance, 21 yards Men’s Half-Mile Handicap Race Married Men’s 200 yards Handicap Race Men’s 100 yards Race Men’s Standing High Jump Vaulting with Pole Throwing Hammer Bays’ Race, 100 yards, under 15 years of age Running Long Jump Hop, Step, and Jump Single Girl’s Race, 100 yards Married Women’ Race, 100 yards, handi cap Sack Race, 100 yards Old Men’s Race, 200 yards Sack Race, 100 yards Boys’ Race, 100 yards, under 10 years of



age The Wakanui Invention I Backwards, 50 yards, on h 50 yards Forward. ■ Entries to be made on t J. BOJ 355 d Tenders. END ‘"‘TENDERS Wanted i 300 Acres Grass Seed, sent in by MONDAY af particulars, apply to DONALD