SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Lady Jocelyn, chip, from London. To-day. Penguin, &.8., from Wellington. St Kilda, 8.8,, from Oamaru. Sailed. Yesterday. Esther, brigantine, for Havelock. Croydon Lass,'schooner, for Nelson- T. B. Taylor, schooner, for Greymouth. Comet, ketch, for Havelock.

DALLY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES, Thursday, December 15. T. Ford and Co., at Friedlander Bros.’ Saleroom— Valuable Freehold Pro perty ; 1 o’clock. Tuesday, December 20. Matson, Cox and Go., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, December 12. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Tuesday, December 13. Horticultural Society—Monthly Meeting, Mr Jones’ Upper Room, 8 p.ra. Friday, December 16. United Masonic Ball, Masonic Hall, 8.30 p.m. Tuesday, December 20. Musical Festival, Town Hall, 8 p.m Monday, December 26. Caledonian Society’s Annual Gathering. Monday, January, 2. Winslow Annual Races. 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, Boad Board Office, Moore street L.O.L.—Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

BIRTH.

Zocrcn.—At her lesidence, East Belt, the wife of W. H. Zouch, of a daughter ; stillborn.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.30 p. m. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1881. Yesterday’s Contest.

The battle has been fought and won, and has resulted in a victory for the representative of the farming interest— John Cathcart Wason —by a respect able majority. The satisfaction elicited by the news last night, as soon as all the returns were to hand, appeared to be as hearty as it was general, and every one seemed to think that as the repre sentative in the House for the im portant constituency of Wakanui, Mr Wason would be the right man in the right place. We share the public satisfaction in Mr Wason’s success, because we have all along believed in the soundnness of that gentleman’s political platform, and have known that its every plank was thoroughly staunch and reliable, and that though it might not possess so much gilding and paint, to speak metaphorically, as the platform of another candidate, yet it was much more serviceable and calculated to wear far better in the long run. What surprises us is the amount of knowledge displayed in the leading article in, this morning’s issue of the Mail respecting the proceedings of yesterday. On the very best autho rity we know that the special train which stopped a few minutes on the way yesterday to allow some owners of pro perty to record their votes for Waka nui, where their property is situate, was not employed to convey residents of Christchurch to vote for Mr Wason at Rakaia. As a matter of fact, only eight of those who travelled by the special voted at Rakaia, and how they voted the ballot-box will never reveal. That the Wakanui election was turned by eight votes at Rakaia is altogether I

too thin for the public to swallow. Mr Ivess is, of course, perfectly at liberty to test the validity of yesterday’s election in the Electoral Court ; but, in common decency, he should refrain from abusing his opponent and the officials con nected with the polling until the decision of that Court is made known. Mr Ivess’s remarks last night from the balcony of Shear man’s hotel were perhaps not alto gether inexcusable. He had been reckoning his chickens before they were hatched, and we all know how annoy ing it is when we find that that little piece of mental arithmetic has been incorrectly performed.

Our Pigeon Despatches. Everyone seemed surprised yesterday at the rapidity with which The Guardian “ Extra,” with the result of the day’s polling made its appearance. We have to tender our best thanks to Mr S. - Saunders for the valuable assistance rendered us by the loan of his pigeons, which brought in the returns from Seafield and Longbeach so expe ditiously.

Wesleyan Church Anniversary.— The Rev. W. E. Gillam, of Christchurch, is announced to preach the anniversary sermons at the Cameron street Wesleyan Church to-morrow morning and evening. Mr Gillam is one of the most popular preachers of the Connexion in Canter bury, and it is expected large congrega tions will be present in the above church to - morrow. The collection will, we understand, be in aid of the trust fund of the church. On Tuesday next the public tea and meeting will be held, and the members of the cause are energetically at work to make the affair a success. Death of a Well-Known Colonist.— We regret to learn, from a private tele gram placed in our hands to-day, of the death of Mr R. Reid, the senior partner in the well-known firm of Reid and Grey, the famous agricultural implement makers. Mr Reid was on his way out to the colony in the Lady Jocelyn, and died at sea on the 15th of October. No further particulars are yet to hand.

Ashburton Horticultural Society.— The postponed meeting of the above will be held on Tuesday evening .next, when the Secretary, Mr S. E. Royntz, will read a paper entitled “ Hints bn the cultivation of pot plants.”

Ashburton Industrial Association.— The monthly meeting of the above takes place on Wednesday evening, the 14th instant, when the question of winding up the concern will be gone into.

The Result of the Polling. —Prom Christchurch we learn that the results of the polling in the several districts were officially declared at noon to-day, and everthing passed off quietly. The report of the declaration for Wakanui will be found in another column.

To Parents, &c. —The parents and ratepayers of Wakanui are referred to an announcement in another column by Mr James McLaughlin.

Tenders.— Mr R. Bird invites tenders for the building of two shops and dwelling houses.

A Cowardly Scoundrel. A man named Sullivan has been arrested near Bantry, charged with putting pins and needles in potatoes with which he was feeding the cattle of a Boycotted farmer.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reutbb’s agency.] Home. London, Dec. 7. Arrived—Ship St. Leonards, from Lyttelton. The Pareora. As the ship Pareora, bound for Auckland, was in the Downs she was obliged to slip her anchors to avoid collision with another vessel, by whom she would inevitably have been run down. She was towed back to the Thames for fresh anchors. The owner of the tug has claimed L 5,000 salvage money. The Pareora has since sailed again for Auckland.

Not very Well. London, Deo. 8. Mr Parnell, who is confined in Kil mainham gaol, is reported to be ill. A Romish Ceremony. Rome, Dec. 8.

A grand and impressive ceremony was performed to-day at St. Peters, the occasion being the canonization of four eminent deceased members of the Church of Rome. The rites of canon ization were performed by Pope Leo, and the proceedings were marked with great splendour and brilliancy. His Holiness whose health has for a long time past been most unsatisfactory, continues in a very feeble state, and was only able with difficulty to take part in the day’s proceedings.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per kboter’s agency. ] What’s Doing. Melbourne, Yesterday. A limited business only is doing in oats. Honoring their Premier. Sydney, Yesterday. In view of the intended early de parture of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, on a visit to England, an in fluential meeting was held to-day to make arrangements for presenting him with a testimonial. Subscription lists have been opened, and a large sum has already been subscribed for this pur pose.

Want a Rise. The Newcastle miners are now agi tating for higher rates of wages, In view of a rise in the price of coal, which it is believed will take place early in 1882. Cricket. A cricket match between the English team and an eleven of New South Wales was commenced here to-day. The weather was fine and the attend ance good. The wicket was dead. The, English went first to the wickets, and when the stumps were drawn for the day had put together 235 runs for the loss of only five wickets. Barlow was not out for 71, Selby was caught and bowled for 56, and Ulyett was bowled for 47. The Markets. Adelaide, Yesterday. Old wheat is quoted at 4s rod; new wheat at 4s Bd. The market is strong. Town flour, per ton, Lir 12s 6d to Lll 15s; country brands, Lio 17s 6d. Freights to the United Kingdom, from Adelaide. 52s 6d; do., from out ports, 55 s.

TELEGRAMS.

[pur press association.] Dick for the North. Dunedin, To-day. The Hon. T. Dick proceeds North on Tuesday.- • •

GENERAL ELECTION.

The result of the Wakanui contest was eagerly looked for last night. The Sale yards returns were not made up until seven o’clock ; the moment the result was known, Mr Ivess’ supporters gathered about the polling-booth and cheered most lustily, for it was apparent that their man had secured a large majority, that- was, so far as the Saleyards booth was concerned, but the rejoicings of the Ivessites was lessened when .all the returns came to hand, and the Guardian special made its appearance showing a majority for Wason of four votes. And the revised returns increased that majority to ten, the figures being (totals): — Wason ... ... ... 445 Ivess ... ... ... 435 Purnell ... ... ... 74

MR IVESS FROM THE BALCONY On his return from Eakaia, Mr Ivess addressed a few words to the crowd from the balcony of Shearman’s Hotel. He did not yet consider he was defeated. They had an Election Court to appeal to, and considering the disgraceful way in which the polling had been conducted at the Rakaia, he thought he would be per fectly justified in entering his protest against it Gross favoritism had been ex tended towards his opponents. To give them an instance of the unfair way the thing was conducted at Rakaia, he would tell them of one thing that had occurred. A man holding property at Malvern, and who was rot qualified to vote for Waka nui at all, was jet allowed to record his vote. He had to tender his sincere thanks to his indefatigable committee who had worked so hard to secure his return. What they wanted was a thoroughly impartial and independent Returning Officer, a man who would not be one-sided and blind in the execution of his duty. To give yet another instance of what had taken place at Rakaia that day. A man named Mal ley, but whose name appeared on the elec toral roll as O’Malley, was not allowed to vote on account of the clerical error made in the spelling of his name. But what happened in Mr Edward Stafford Coster’s case ? Mr Coster had been registered as Edward Somerton Coster, instead of Ed ward Stafford Coster, his true name, and he had been allowed to vote unchallenged. Such a state of things was disgraceful, but he would fight it out, for he did not yet consider himself defeated. (A voice : “You may yet get in Joe!”) (Loud laughter.) Mr J. T. Fisher, of Christ church, had also voted illegally that day, and had rendered himself liable to a fine of L2O, and Mr Wason was liable to a fine of a similar amount for aiding and abetting him. He would have more to say to them to-morrow when the corrected re turns were to hand. Minors, he might add, had been allowed to vote at Rakaia, and also aliens. He hoped he might yet break up Mr Wason’s majority, and that they would yet find that he was their re presentative. (Cheers.) They knew him well enough to know that what he took in hand he would ? see through. He would ask for three cheers for his committee throughout the town. The cheers having been given, Mr St. Hill proposed three cheers for Mr Ivess, which were heartily responded to. An attempt on the part of some friends of Mr St. Hill in the crowd to give three cheers for that gentleman broke down. Mr Ivess then retired, and on coming down into the street a bevy of his admirers surrounded him and carried him shoulder high to his office. Mr Ivess was evidently flattered by the compliment, but looked very uncomfortable neverthe less.

Christchurch North.—Thomson, 577 ; Andrews, 466 ; majority for Thomson, 111.

Christchurch South.—John Holmes, 673 ; John Anderson, 560 ; majority for Holmes, 113 ; 762 electors did not record their votes. Stanmore. —Out of the 1701 voters on the rolls of this new electorate, 1,048 recorded their votes yesterday. The result was as follows ;—Pilliett, 383 ; Cowlishaw, 362 ; Flesher, 303 ; majority for Pilliet, 21. Sydenham.—The polling for Sydenham resulted in the return of Mr W. White, junr., by a majority of 499 over the next highest candidate. The following is the record of the numbers ;—White, 662; Clark, 163 ; Treadwell, 111 ; Andrew, 70; majority for White, 499. St Albans.—The result of the polling was as follows :—Brown, 318 : Wilson, 168 ; O'Neill, 85 ; majority for Brown, 50. Out of 710 voters in this district, only 471 recorded their voles. Htathcote. —The polling resulted as follows Wynn Williams, 243 ; Horn brook, 167 ; Fisher, 119 ; majority for Wynn Williams, 76. Lyttelton. Allwright, 259; Richard son, 248 ; Webb, 246 ; majority for All wright, 11.

Kaiapoi.—Wilson, 510; Lee, 341 ; majority for Wilson, 179. Lincoln.—O’Callaghan, 277 ; Peryman, 154 ; majority for O’Callaghan, 123. Selwyn.—Hall, 467 ; Lockhead, 169 ; majority for Hall, 298. Ashley. Pearson, 446 ; Guild, 230 ; Dixon, 182 ; Cunningham, 112 ; Patter son, 19 ; Majority for Pearson, 216. Coleridge.—McMillan, 356 ; Enys, 141; Jebson, 118. Cheviot. MTlraith, 359 ; Saunders, 339; Fendall, 147 ; majority for MTlraith, 20. Geraldine.—Postlethwaite, 518 ; Wake field, 483 ; Hayhurat, 63 ; majority for Postleth waite, 36. Timaru.—Turnbull, 413 ; Gibpon, 1.50 ; Partridge, 77 ; majority for Turnbull, 263. Peninsula.—Seaton, 298 ; Cutten, 284 ; Donelly, 203 ; Lewis, 54. Gladstone. —Sutter, 351 ; Fisher, 216 ; Anderson, 19 ; Newton 1. One return to come. Oamaru. —Shrimski, 396 ; Hassell, 337; Murcott, 122. Dunedin Central.—Bracken,34o; Cargill, 320; Bastings, ‘263; Dickscn, 76; Gi’aham, 43. Dunedin West.—Hon. T. Dick, 459; Stewart, 475. Dunedin East.—Green, 487 ; Davis, 470. Dunedin South.—Fish, 565; Ross, 283. Dunstan.—Pykc, 452 ; Frazer, 297. Four returns to cuno. Mount Ida.—DeLautour, 205; McKen zie, 177. Five returns to come. Olutaa.—Thompson, 172; Jowett, 187. Five returns to come. Mataura.—McKenzie, 145; Richardson, 143; Thompson, 94. Eleven returns to come. Hokonui.—Driver, 340; Cowan, 164; Finn, 66. Eleven returns to come. Wallace. Daniells, 216 ; Mclntosh, 192; Hirst, 181; Ellis, 133; Hodgkinson, 84; Johnstone, 15; Buttolph, 13. Five returns to come. Wakatipu. Fergus, 324; Thomson, 323; Mcßride, 36. Eight returns to come. Moeraki.—McKenzie, 464 ; Williams, 171. Tuapeka.—J. C. Brown, 482; G. F. C. Browne, 444. Bruce.—Rutherford, 549; Adams, 466; Murray, 411. Awarua.—Joyce, 526; Bains, 229; Smith, 104: Kinross, 48. Three returns to come.

Waitaki.—Duncan, 378 ; Reid, 329. Waikouaiti.—Green, 155; Thompson, 110. Three returns to come.

Thames.—Sheehan, 546; Speight, 529; majority for Sheehan, 17. Bay of Islands.—Hobbs, 525; Lundon, 294; majority for Hobbs, 331. Marsden. —Mitchelson, 245; Alderton, 223; McLeod, 86. Nine returns to come. Rodney.—George, 332; Shepherd, 180; Parnell, 2. Seven returns to come.

Waitemata.—Hurst, 421; Allison, 177. Eight returns to coine. ; Franklyn North. Buckland, 302 ; Luke, 183 ; Major Harris, 320; Gordon, 8. One return to come in. Franklyn South. —Hamlin, 192 ; Law rey, 157. Six returns to come. Waipa.—Whitaker, 432 ; Jackson, 394; Johns, 237* Coromandel. —Cadman, 374 ; Brodie, 281; Mackay, 240. Five returns to come.

Auckland City North.—Peacock, 346; Rees, 320 ; majority for Peacock, 26. Auckland City East. Sir George Grey, 349 ; Clarke, 315; majority for Sir G. Grey, 34. Auckland City West. -Dargaville, 253; Fleming, 201; Wallis, 119 ; majority for Dargaville, 52. Manukau.—O’Rorke, 377; McGee, 162; majority for Sir G. M. O’Rorke, 215. Parnell.—Moss, 393 ; Monk, 205 ; majority for Moss, 178. Eden.—Tole, 451; Wood, 188 ; ma jority for Tole, 263. Wanganui.—Watt, 397 ; Ballance, 393. Napier.—Buchanan, 489; McSweeney, 114 ; McDougall, 187 ; majority for Bu chanan, 302. Hawke’s Bay.—Russell, 233. lauranga.—Stewart, 267 ; Morris, 229; Kelly, 181. Nine returns to come. Picton. —Connolly, 357 ; Eyes, 311. Wairau. —Dodson, 550 ; Seymour, 381. Taranaki. —Trimble, 120; Colesby, 21. Seven returns to come.

Egmont. Major Atkinson, 737 ; Hutcheson, 400. One return to come- New Plymouth.—Kelly, 328 ; Major Brown, 179. Two returns are yet to come in. There was great excitement last night after the result of the election was made known. Major Atkinson was driven through the town and cheered by the people. Thorndon.—Levien, 772 ; Dwan, 228 ; majority for Levein, 544. Te Aro.—Johnston, 397 ; Shaw, 342 ; Stafford, 321 ; majority for Johnston, 55.

Wellington South.—Hutchison, 470 ; Coffey, 390 ; Edwards. 257 ; Hendrey, 14 ; majority for Hutchison, 81. Hutt.—Jackson, 348 ; Mason, 300 ; Marks, 50 ; Sinclair, 15 ; majority for Jackson, 48. Rangitikei.—Stevens, 491; Fox, 489 ; majority for Stevens, 2. Wairarapa South.—Buchanan, 436 ; Bunny, 370 ; Boys, 199. Foxton.—Wilson, 315 ; Izard, 242 ; Buller, 228 ; Newman, 197 ; Russel, 198; Francis, 61. Two returns to come. Wairarapa North.—Beetham, 598; Renall, 340. Four ret urns to come.

Waimea.—Shephard, 359 ; Richmond, 190 ; majority for Shephard, 169. Tnangahua.—Weston, 716 ; Reeves, 516 ; McLean, 39. One small return to come.

Buller. —O’Connor, 402 ; Munro, 399. Four returns to come in.

Waipawa.—Smith, 588 ; Ormond, 563. East Coast.—McDonald, 403 ; Locke, 376 ; Gannon, 121; Porter, 151. Five returns to come.

Hokitika.—Fitzgerald, 576 ; Reid, 414. Several returns to come. Greymouth.—Petrie, 757 ; Guinness, 599 ; Madden, 2. Kumara. —Soddon, 763 ; Blake, 623. Roslyn.—Bathgate, 341 ; Scott, 327 • Hodgkinson, 249.

DECLARATION OF THE POLL FOR THE WAKANUI SEAT.

The official declaration of the poll for the W_akanni seat took place at the County Saleyards to-day at noon. Some 200 people were present. Mr George Jameson, Returning Officer, read out the returns, the totals giving Mr Wason 445, Mr Ivess 435, and Mr Purnell 74 votes. He then declared Mr John Cathcart Wason duly elected. The announcement was received with cheers.

[ Mr Wason now got upon the table and addressed the assemblage. There was one i thing he was sure they were very heartily t glad of, and that was that this election i was now over. (Applause and laughter.) ; He had entered the contest with no per sonal feeling whatever, he had in fact merely come forward at the request of a i number of settlers, who, fancying that his , views were identical with their own, had ; asked him to become their mouthpiece, i It was, he could assure them, no more a ; treat to him to go to Wellington than it ; would be to any one of them. The going there would necessitate his quitting his ; farm, and leaving private affairs to look , after themselves while he was away. He must protest against an article that ap peared in that morning’s Muil, reflecting on the Returning Officer at Rakaia. Now, i if one man picked another man’s pocket or injured him in any other way, he had 1 his remedy at law for such injurj, and if the Rakaia Returning Officer had been guilty of the conduct imputed to him, those who were the sufferers had their legal remedy. If Mr Boyle had acted un fairly, he should be made to suffer for it, but it was grossly unfair that his con duct should be criticised and condemned beforehand in the public press (loud ap plause). To his committee and all who had worked for him, he (Mr Wason) returned his sincerest thanks. To secure his re turn his committee had put up with much personal inconvenience, and had sacrificed time, and he dared say money too. Again, he would thank them and all who had been instrumental in securing his return, and he need hardly assure them that he would do his best for the constituency he had won. (Loud applause.) Mr Joseph Ivess then mounted the table, and observed that the hour had coma, but not the man—the man, that was, who was likely to ably represent the constituency of Wakanui in Parliament. He (Mr Ivess) had been stripped of his rights to a large extent by the partiality displayed by Mr W. R. Boyle, Returning Officer at Rakaia, and the unfair conduct of MrO. B. M. Branson, thecauvassor em ployed hy Mr 0. W. Parnell. There was such a thing as the Corrupt Practices Bill, but it was as easy, apparently, to drive a a coach and four through that Bill, as it was through some others. His opponents had worked strenuously to effect his de feat, but for his part, he failed to see what he had done'to deserve this bitter opposi tion He had always striven to do his host in the interests of the farming com ai ■ y throughout the district, and he would continue to do his best so long as ho remained amongst them. (Ap ply use.) He did not consider that ho was yet defeated. (Applause.) After alluding in bitter terms to the special train of yesterday, Mr Ivess (pointing to Mr C. B. M. Branson) said— “ Here is a man who has been maligning my character everywhere for the last six weeks.” (Applause and laughter, in which Mr Branson joined.) His best thanks were due to his committee for their indefatigable efforts to secure his return. Ho had been swamped by some bogus

votes from Christchurch, but he meant to fight the election out, take it to the Elec toral Court, and have it thoroughly in vestigated. The Ashburton Returning Officer’s partner had been canvassing the district against him, lu> might inform them, and this he considered another most unfair proceeding. He was sorry that a Liberal candidate had not been re turned yesterday for Wakanui, but was pleased to see that the Liberals had been victorious elsewhere. To show the con temptible tactics resorted to by his op ponents yesterday, there was a cry got up at the booths that Mr Purnell had with drawn from the contest in favor of Mr Wason. The cry had been got up by Mr Wasou’s own supporters. As a further instance of the opposition he had met with, he could assure them (on informa tion of Mr James Wilkie) that that gentle man had been offered payment by the Guardian to write him (Mr Iveus), down.

Mr Fisher, of the Guardian office,- had been delegated to interview Mr Wilkie and offer him one guinea per article to write damaging articles respecting him (Mr Ivess). [We need hardly state that Mr Ivess allowed his imagination to run altogether away with him in making this ridiculous statement.] To return to the electoral roll, minors and aliens had been allowed to place their names on that roll, and to vote at the election yesterday, but he took it as a very high compliment, that despite all the opposition he had met with there were men who had walked twenty and twenty-five miles to vote for him. Before he concluded his remarks he would wish to draw attention to the curious circumstance of his minority of four last evening having become a mino rity of ten this morning. He would hand the protest he now showed them to the Returning Officer, and take that oppor tunity of remarking that he meant to prosecute the enquiry into the way this election had been conducted in the fullest possible manner. He possessed a list of illegal votes recorded at Rakaia yester day, and could say that in several in stances the same voter had voted ‘more than once, although not qualified to do so. He had always been a faithful ally of Liberalism, and striven to promote and encourage it. Before concluding he would like to mention one other circum stance. About a month prior to the dis solution he had written to Mr E. G. Wright asking which electorate he pro posed to stand for—Wakanui or Ashbur ton, as he (Mr Ivess) did not wish to be come the opponent of Mr Wright; Mr Wright had said that he had not decided, that he must take time to consider, and would let him know, but up to that hour Mr Wright had never sent any reply to the enquiry. (A voice: “ Perhaps he forgot it. ” Laughter.) After once more thanking his suppor ters for their efforts in his behalf, and re iterating that he did not yet admit defeat, Mr Ivess descended from the table amidst applause. Mr Purnell said that while he re gretted his position at the poll he was not surprised at it, as he had been compelled to fight the election under great disad vantages, some of which were known to the public and others not. He had nothing to complain of with regard to the conduct of Mr Wason, who had acted fairly enough, but some of Mr Wason’s supporters had acted neither fairly nor honorably towards him (Mr Purnell). [Cheers]. He regretted that the elector ates of Coleridge and Wakanui should both be represented by large landholders. He would do no injustice to the large landowners, but thought that they and the large monied institutions were, not the. proper parties to rule the colony. The party to which Mr Wason belonged had done great mischief to the colony in the past and would doubtless do great mischief in the future unless a sharp eye were kept upon its proceedings. [Cheers.] _ Mr Wason really represented not the majority but the minority of the constituency, as could easily be seen by adding up the votes polled ,for the two unsucessful candidates, comparing the total with the number polled for the successful candidate. Mr Wason really owed his success to the action of a number of his (Mr Purnell’s) supporters', who had deserted him on the very eve of the poll, and voted for Mr Wason ; not that they loved Mr Wason much, but they disliked Mr Ivess more. Mr Wason must henceforth regard him Mr Purnell) as his political opponent. (Cheers.) He should endeavor to create a Liberal party in the constituency, whose efforts would be directed to wresting the re presentation of the district out of the hands of the Conservatives at the next election. Socialistic views were a mistake. If put into force, the poorer classes would suffer most from their operation, and their advocacy frightened away many men who would otherwise rally round their standard. They need not be discouraged at their want of success at the present election. He disapproved of the attacks which had been made upon the Registration and Returning Officers during the present election ; nor was it proper that assertions should be made on a public platform to the effect that certain persons had voted twice on polling day. When a candidate was beaten he should take his beating quietly. If either of the candidates had reason to be angry it was himself, but his equanimity had not been at all disturbed, and when the messenger brought the result of the poll to his house he (Mr Purnell) was fast asleep 1 (Laughter.) He thanked those who had voted for him, and hoped they would be more successful next time.

This brought the proceedings to a close, and the crowd dispersed.

Complete returns from the following dis tricts have been received. M stands for Ministerialist, O for Opposition, and I for Independent : Bay of Islands—F. Hobbs ... ... M Auckland North—T. Peacock ... M Auckland West—J. M. Dargaville ... M Auckland East—Sir G. Grey ... O Newton—W. Swanson ... ... M Parnell—F. J. Moss ... ... ... O Eden—J. A. Tole O Manukau—G. M. O’Rorke ... ... 1 Thames—J. Sheehan ... ... ... O Waikato—J. B. Whyte ... ... M Napier Borough—John Buchanan ... O Rangitikei—John Steven ... ... I Manawatu—Walter Johnston ... M Waitotara—John Bryce ... ... M Wanganui—W. H. Watt M Hutt—H. Jackson I Te Aro—o. Johnston... ... ... M Thorndon—W. H. Levin M Wellington South—W. Hutchinson... O Nelson—A. H. Levestam ... ... O Waimea—J. Shephard ... ... O Inangahna—T. S. Weston ... ... M Cheviot—FL Mclllraith ... ... M Ashley—W. F. Pearson ... ... M Avon—W. Rolleston ... ... ... M Kaiapoi—lsaac Wilson ... ... M St. Albans—J. E. Brown ... ... I Stanmore—W. H. Pilliet ... ... 0 Christchurch North—H. Thomson ... M Christchurch South—John Holmes... O Sydenham—W. White ... ... O Heathcote—Wynn Williams... ... M Lyttelton—H. Allwriglit ... ... M Lincoln—A. P. O’Gallagh.ui... ... M karoa W. Montgomery ... ... <> Sclwyn—John Hall ... ... ... M Coleridge—D. McMillan ... ... M Ashburton—E. G. Wright ... ... M Wakanui—J. C. Wason ... ... M Geraldine—W. Postlethwaito ... M Timaru —R, Turnbull... ... ... () Dunedin West—T. Dick M Dunedin East—M. W. Green ... I Peninsula—J. Seaton... ... ... O O.imaru—S. G. Shrimski ... ... O Moeraki—J. Mackenzie ... ... 0 Tuapeka—J. G. Brown 0 Bruce —James Rutherford ... ... M Dunedin Central—T. Bracken ... O Dunedin South—H. S. Fish ... ... M Roslyn—J. Bathgate ... ... ... 0 Port Chalmers—J. Macandrew ... O Taieri—J. Fulton M Caversham—W, Barron O

FLEMINGTON SCHOOL.

The Flemington School Committee met on Wednesday evening last. Present— Messrs Dunn (in the chair), R. Anderson, Fleming, Smith, S. Anderson, and H. Anderson. A fter confirmation or the minutes of the previous meeting, correspondence from the Board of Education was read, sanctioning the appointment of George W. Smith as pupil-teacher, subject to the usual conditions. The master reported a further increase of scholars since the previous meeting, the daily average for the last four weeks being 40.5. The ~lnspector’s report of the examina tion, held on the 20th October last i.

was read and considered very satisfactory, andhighly creditable to aIL A communication was received from the master, asking the Committee to line and ceil the back room in the house. ! It wits resolved to ask the Board to grant a sum to defray the cost, and for it further sum to shingle a part of the play ground. It was resolved to expend a portion of the money from the tea meeting fund in prizes, to be competed for by the children to be presented on Tuesday evening, 27th inst., after the picnic. Two small accounts were passed for pay ment, and the Committee then adjourned.

Inspector’s report of liemingto'n School, examined on 20th* October;—Number on the roll, 40; average last quarter, 35 > last week, 37; present at examination, 39. Teacher, Mr H. Cape- Williamson.-Results of examination in Standards—Presented in Standards, 3,2, and 1,16; passed 16; per centage, 100. General remarks.—-This is a new school, and hed been open only 167 times when I examined it. That the teacher has succeeded in pro perly classifying his scholars is shown by the fact that all passed as presented. Tim instruction is regulated with a considerable degree of care and skill, and the order, considering that several of the pupils have never before been at any school, is satisfactory. Singing and drawing are not taught—W. L. Edge, Inspector. 11th Nov.”

CRICKET

ASHBURTON V. PREBBLETON* ;

A match was played on the domain ground to-day, between elevens represent ing the Ashburton and Prebbleton Clubs/ The Prebbleton team arrived by: the 10.20 train, and soon afterwards play commenced. The day Was beautifully fine, a gentle breeze blowing from the. southward, but the sun was very power-'- ful during the early part of the game. The wicket was-in favor of the bowlers, as will be seen from the small scores' made. Owing to an insufficient number- of - ther local team not being present’ at the time' appointed, the Prebbleton. men ■ offered to take the field, , Farquhar j and Fowler taking the bat, and' notwithstanding the efforts of the former to confuse the field, no stand could be made against the . bowling of Pribble and . Sanford, the _ former being dead on. The whole of Ashburton’s representatives failed to ob tain a score of runs, and as there Was" very little batting done, there was no opportunity of observing Prebble ton’s y fielding. The Ashburton men then took* 1 ' the field, and'the Prebbleton team wore nearly as unfortuate as their opponents in obtaining runs, and only succeeded in., securing a score ' o'f -27. 1 G." Andrew 8 bowling was remarkably good* having seven wickets to his credit on the first innings. For the second I innings, i’ the fielding of Blair for Prebbleton was remarkably smart ; in fact, the play of. the visitors all round- showed they were not to be held too cheap. In Ashburton’s second innings, ■G, Andrews and Reg. Hodder made a good 'stand, the latter, who is only a young beginner, giving promise of doing well in future matches should he keep up his practice. At 3.20 the home team had run up 40, for 8 wickets. The following are the Scores of the first innings : Ashbdbton. —Ist innings. Farquhar, b Prebble ... ... ... 3 Fowler, b Prebble - ... ... 0 Pooks, A., cW. Prebble, bE. Prebble 0 Andrews, A., c Powell, bE. Prebble. 2 Andrewes, L. F., b Starford ... ... 0 Andrews, G., bE. Prebble ... ... I■. Fooks, 8., bE. Prebble ... ... 1 Marsh, not out ... ... ... ... 1 Hodder, Reg., b Starford ... ... 1 Lechner, bE. Prebble ... ... ... 0 Substitute, c and b Prebble ... ... 0 Extras ... ... 6 15 Peebblbton. —lst innings. Powell, b Farquhar ... ... ... 2 Lyford, c and bG. Andrews ... ... 2 Brown, bG. Andrews ... ... ... 0 Blair, b Farquhar ... 1 1 Crocker, b Andrews ... ... ... 6; t E. Prebble, b Andrews ... ... 0 Starford, b Andrews ... 6 * J. Prebble, run out ... ... ... ,3 .: Payne, b Andrews ... 0 ; Cresswell, not out ... ... 5...- Hastings, b Andrews ... ... ... 0. ; Extras ... ... :5

DISASTROUS FIRE.

300 Corpses Already Taken Out of the Ruins. (by cable.) ' . Vienna, Deo. 9. A disastrous conflagration, accompanied with immense loss of life, occurred last night in this city. During the perfor mance at Ring (sic) Theatre, a lighted lamp fell on the stage, which was at once ignited. The fire spread with great rapidity, and in a short time the flames had blocked all means of exit, from the building. Sixty persons leaped from the windows into extended articles of clothing held by others in the streets, and 1 were saved. The majority of those in the theatre were, however, unable to escape, and were burnt to death. Over 300 corpses have up to the present ex tricated from the ruins of the building, which has been completely gutted. ' ■

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1881.



A 1 SHBURTON SACRED FESTIVAL. “ 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). 322 d m OWN HALL, ASHBURTON. "MONDAY AND TUESDAY, December 12 and 13. THE AMATEUR Dramatic Club Will perform that splendid Melodrama entitled ‘THE MILLER AND HIS MEN,” With New Scenery and Effects by Charles Bourk. Efficient Orchestra. Admission —3s, 2s, and Is. Doors open at 7.30 ; commence at 8 p.m. mH E ACID CURE. P. COUTTS and SONS’ Guaranteed ACETIC ACID is a safe and sure remedy for Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Sore Throats, etc. May be obtained from Mackay Bkos, Manchester street, South, Christ church, Wholesale and Retail, or from Mr Thomas Collins, Main South Road, Timarn. AN AGENT WANTED FOR ASH BURTON. 734 c M John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., 8 URN ET T STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Easy Chairs, Couches, English and American Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps and Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All kinds of furniture re-covered and repaired at the very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and highest prices given for second-hand Furniture. Note the address—Cheapest House in Ashburton, opposite Mail Office, Burnett street 316° JpIANOS, ORGANS, MUSIC, Etc., AND Instruments of every kind from 10 GUINEAS to 100 on DEFERRED PAYMENTS. OPENING New Premises THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7th, Tanobbd Street, near Orr & Co’s. H. J. WEEKS, (Aobnt fob 0. Beoq and Co), MUSIC SELLER. gPBOIAL NOTICE. In future all disclaimers sent in for publication in this Journal will be charged for as advertisements. olloway’s Pills.—Weary of Life.— ngement of the liver is one of the most erous of diseases, and the most prolific «of those melancholy forebodings which irbrse than death itself. A few doses of . noted Pills act magically in dispelling low . and repelling the covert attacks made icnerves by excessive heat, impure atmos .c over-indulgence, or exhausting excite . The most shattered constitution may e benefit from Holloway’s Pills, which will ate disordered action, brace the nerves, ase the energy of the intellectual faculties, pviv’ the fading memory. By attentively a, :■ c 'nstructions for taking these Pills explicitly putting them in practice, the desponding will soon feel confident wjt&ct recovery.—[Advt.



Wanted. WANTED —A good general SER VANT. Apply sharp, Mrs Lucas, Tancred street. 307 d WANTED —Assistants, Improvers, and Apprentices to the Dressmaking. Apply at once, S. W. Alcorn. 285 d YITANTED—A good General SERVANT ’ V for a small private family. Apply, Office of this Paper. 185 d number of TEAMS Apply, John 309 d TT7 - ANTED— A nun V\ for Ploughing. Grigg, Longbeach. 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—That from this date (7th Dec.) Thomas Taylor will sell BREAD at SIXPENCE per loaf for cash. 290 d WANTED KNOWN—If you want to • Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mato, Hamstead Mills. 255 d WANTED KNOWN.—SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS VERRALL 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. 7600 WJ ANTED KNOWN.—Just received W a consignment of “ Novelties,” togither 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 hne stock of bedding out Plants will be ready in September and October. W. Gimblett, Colombo street, Christchurch. 680 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.



FRBDK. PAVTTT, Corn Merchant, &c., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Chiistchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d Scottish imperial insurance co- Capital ... £1,000,000. Head Office, 151, West George street, Glasgow. General Manager : W. W. W. Reid. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH : J. STUART ReID, General Agent, Wellington. Messrs Tucker andßestell havingbeen appointed AGENTS for the Ashburton District for the above Company, are now prepared to accept risks at lowest current rates. FRED. H. BARNES, 248 d Agent for Canterbury.



The 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



CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S CARDS. Just arrived—The Best and Newest Assortment ever seen, including Scented Satchels and Fringed Cards L. F. Andkbwes, Bookseller and Stationer, East street, South Ashburton. 672c* NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walter B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE CORNER OP WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c JJ D. MONK’S 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. Ashburton registry office, For Male and Female Servants. All orders for Servants by letter or otherwise receive prompt attention. L. F. AND RE WES, Labor Agent, East Street, 765 c Ashburton. D RESS MAKING WANTED KNOWN—S. W. Alcorn’s, Dressmaker, commences business on MONDAY next, 12th inst. 284 d



Special Advertisements. rjHENDERS are invited for Purchase of L CROBjdf GRASS SEED, nolle mowing oft sarm known as Christie’s, Wakanui. Tenders to be sent in by MONDAY next, to the undersigned. 291 d POYNTZ & CO. TWINE BINDERS. A few of these Machines still ON SALE. 291 A POYNTZ & CO. Bank of Australasia. (Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1835) The Bank of Australasia has RE MOVED into new premises, corner of West and Tancred streets, where Business will now be carried on. H. K. BETHDNE, Manager. Ashburton, 6th December, 1881. 263 d O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, | AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G. B. D. Pipes Xailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. ITaircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. . VAST STREET ASHBURTON. 257a* (JIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, noted throughout the Colony for the beat fitting and Genuine Well-made CLOTHING Of Every Description, are the LARGEST PRIZE-TAKERS At tha Dunedin Industrial Exhibition having been awarded FIRST ORDER OF MERIT, AND ALSO HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE 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, 692 c Branch Manager. ACK 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 “ blaokfellows ” 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 with STOUT Boors from C. HAWKINS’ never-to-be excelled Boot and Shoe Warehouse, came back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-aheud little township. Try C. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c



EATING ASHBURTON. 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 tings, &c. , For Sale. GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROi



[For continuation of reading matter see Late Advertisements. THE Tender of Thomas Nevell for Poat and-Rail Fencing has been accepted. J. MacLEAN DUNN, Sec. Caledonian Society. ■■ Meetings. SOCIETY. I'lio postponed Med in-.t of < lie above will beheld on EVENING, the 13th instant, wiiea a paper" will he read by the Secretary as follows:—“Hints on the Cultivation of Pot Plants.” S. E. POYNTZ, 312 Secretary. Local industries associa tion. The Monthly Meeting of above will be held on WEDNESDAY EVENING, the 14th instant, when the question of closing the Association will bo discussed. A full muster requested. S. E. POYNTZ, 311 d Hob. Sea A SHBURTON GAS, COAL, & COKE COMPANY, Limited. The ANNUAL MEETING of the SHAREHOLDERS will be held in the Library Hall, Tailored street, on MON DAY, the 12th December, 1881, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Business : (I.) To receive the Report and Balance- Sheet of the Directors (2.) To elect Four Directors (3.) Two Auditors. By order, J. WARD, 252 d Secretary. . , ASHBURTON RIFLES.—The Com pany will MEET in Plain Clothes on »A 1 U it DAY Evening, at eight o’clock,: to decide whether the Corps will take park in the proposed Sham Fight at Timaru, - on the 16th inst. T. IR luock, r aptain. 264 d