SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Syrene, brig, from Newcastle. To-day. Marlborough, ship from London. Sailed. Yesterday. Casma, barque, for Cork. Pet, barque, for Adelaide. Wild Wave, brig, for Kaipara. Olio, schooner, for Waitapu. Torea, schooner, for Kaipara. Dido, schooner, for Nelson. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed—Nqrval, for Norfolk Island. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Penguin, from the South ; Go-Ahead, from the East Coast; Austra lind, from Newcastle. Sailed—Penguin, for the North. Timarv, Yesterday. Arrived-r-Oreti, from the North. Sailed—Dunedin, schooner, for Inver cargill. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Pakeha, brig, from Kaipara ; Seagull, brigantine, from Manukau; Earn, barque, from Melbourne. Bluff, To-day. Sailed—Arawata, for Melbourne. Sydney, Yesterday. Sailed—Te Anau, s.s., for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Retail List. Butter, inferior to best, tp lb, 8d to lod. Eggs,F dozen, is. Cheese, prime quality, F lb, 4d to 6d. i jaeon,. prime smoked, 1? lb, lod to is.' Hams, in cloth, lb. Is. Flour,,in bags, Ip loolb, 13s. Qatmeal. t? 251 b, 4s. Lard, 1? Bs , 7d. .-The Christchurch Com Exchange. The following is the report of the Christchurch Com Exchange for the week endrbg Friday evening, the 18th inst.:— There is no material change in the aspect of affairs in the grain trade, scarcity of tdtinage to a great extent retarding sales being effected, and at the present time there is no immediate prospect of the want being supplied. Wheat continues to pour in from all quarters, with no appearance of any abatement in the supply.- The long spell of dry weather has enabled the machines to keep at steady work.

Wheat.—Tuscan in large lines, in good condition for shipment, is worth 3s 9d to 3s f.d.b.; other wheats of good quality and •good condition, from 3s 6d to 3s 74d, f.0.b.-; for-good-shipping parcels, where the quality is not quite up to the before mentioned, 2d per bushel under these quotations chick wheat from 2s to 2s 9d per bushel. -Oats.—There is a better enquiry for both milling And seed qualities, with only a'few lots coming forward. Bright mill ing samples are saleable at from Is 7d to Is 9d per bushel; feed parcels, Is 4d to ls 6d pier bushel. Barley.—A good many samples of what might be termed second-rate malting are coming to hand. This quality is heavy of sale at from 2s to 2s 4d ; fair to medium, 2s6dto2s9d; first-class malting, 3s to 3s 6d per bushel; feed barley. Is 6d to Is IGd per bushel, f fapass Seed,—The demand continues good, and prices have advanced. Good well-cleaned farmer’s parcels are worth from 3a ,to 3s 9d per bushel; indifferently clfeaned, 5 according to sample ; cocksfoot, 2jd to 2|d per lb.

Cheese and butter.—There is no altera tion :in values, 3d to 34d for the former, 6£d to 7d per lb for the latter. Hay is worth L2 10s, delivered in Christchurch.

; Auctioneers’Reports. 'Messrs. H. Matson and Co. report on the Live Stock Market for the week end ing Thursday, March 17th, 3881, as follows For yesterday’s weekly sale at Addington there was a considerable fall ing off in the supply of all classes of sheep. Still, both- in fat and stores, there appeared to be sufficient for the require ments of buyers without glutting the mar ket. -■ Mutt bn, of which there were several lines of extra prime quality, re presented a fair proportion of the entry at the commencement of the auction. Probably owing to the small attendance biddings were dull, and one or two of the first lots of fat sheep were passed in un sold. ■>-Trade, however, soon improved, and for crossbred mutton there was a good competition through the remainder of the sale, resulting in a clearance of nearly every line, including those pre viously passed, at prices averaging 6d to 9d per head over last week’s rates. Heavy weight crossbred wethers brought as high as 13s ; mixed weights and sexes, 9s 6d to 11s. For merino mutton the de mand is not quite so strong, and several lots were turned out unsold at a decline of 6d per head under late quotations. The Supply of store sheep was* less than forseveral weeks past, and for aged merinos in low condition there is a slight dullness in;the market. For lines of 2,4, or 6- tooth'ewes, merino or cross-bred, prices ate, however, well maintained, and during the past week wehavenoticodsalesof young merino ewes made at from 7s 6d to 8s 9d per head, being higher than anything be fore;-this season. Amongst others on Wednesday we placed 1,400 aged merino ewes at 4s 2d to 4s 3d, and another line of 500 (in very low condition) at 3s to 3s sd. Generally speaking, the sheep sale was a success, "and with the exception of two small lines of merino wethers, every lot of our entry was cleared at prices as per qnotations below. The fat lamb season has now nearly come to an end, and very few are being sent to.hand. These, however, are being taken up by farmers for store purposes at from 7a 6d to 8s for the best lines, 4s to 6s for scrubbers. The cattle trade, still continues dull and unsatisfac tory. Beef is unaltered in price, and sales are difficult to make, whilst to quifcstorecattle, a still further reduction in values has to be accepted. The totals yarded for the day comprised 7175 sheep, 362 head of cattle, and 2*>7 pigs, of which our entry included 4586 sheep, 176 head of cattle, and 135 pigs. We scld calves at 16s 6d f and a few dairy cows and springers at from L6to L 9. In pigs there is a good demand for stores and highly satis factory -prices are being obtained. Fat pigs aer also selling fairly well, but not so in comparison with stores. Store pigs are selling remarkably well, but yesterday’s market was noted by a alight decline in values. The commencement of caring operations and cold weather will probably put a little more animation into the demand for fat pigs, which at the present time is somewhat dull, prices being; 2s to 4s. per head “down” from lasijweek. XJoihitry; Sales — On Tuesday, at the Tin wafipl held our usual fortnightly . saV &f live stock, etc., for the Ashburton district. There was a large entry of sheep, mostly merino ewes, the: greater portion of which wpre disposed of at values a little less 1 thatt “Were accepted a month ago. Our enffty fof'the’ dayconsisted of 7714 Sheep, 6I Ir catUei J 46 pigs, and 5 horses. In - sheep our principal sales, were, 1000 mermo'V'e wter at J 3s 7a ; 600 do., 4s 9d; 23(P561V > 6s'; 1 327 do., 5s 9d ; 100 fat 9a ; 17,0 d0., 7s 9d925,, mermo ewes, 3s 4d ; 900 lambs (small), 4ss?dA;3Wjnerino;Owoa, 6s ; 500 do. ; & ' ■ . jetc*- ijn cuttle, we sold most vff but at low trices;; as'follovusl i Sat IS, 7atL3 X7a 6d, lat L 7 10s, sat ]

L 6 7s 6d, 12 at L 3 15s, etc , etc. In pigs we sold 9 at LI 4s, 4at 20s, 12 at 18s, etc., etc. In horses we sold 1 unbroken at Ll7s 10s, and 1 at Ll 4.

Messrs J. T. Ford and Co. report on the live stock market for the week ending Thursday, the 16th inst., as follows: We report no alteration in values of mutton or beef, which can be qouted at froml|dto2d mutton, and from 36s to 18s 6d beef according to quality. Store sheep are still in excellent demand, not withstanding the continued dry weather, and prices are good for all classes. Mer ino ewes are bringing from 4s 6d to ss, and exceptionally good ewes a shade higher. Merino wethers sell from 4s 9d to os Cd, 5s 9d, and 6s. Crossbreds, for grazing, are bringing from 8s 6d to 9s 6d, and crossbred ewes, for lambing purposes, sell from 9s to 9s 6d each. Fat lambs bring 7s 6d to 8s 6d, and store weaners from 7s to 7s 9d each. Store cattle are very dull of sale, consequent, of course, on the dry weather and shortness of feed. The total supply of stock sent forward on Wednes day comprised 7,175 sheep, 362 cattle, and 267 pigs. The competition was brisk from the commencement to the end of the sale, and very few lines were turned out unsold. Our entries were on account of Messrs Ogden, Saunders, Jones, Bruce, Mrs Gordon, McGrath, Hellish, S. Garforth, Mrs Jones, Evans, and others. We sold crossbreds on account of Mrs Pelham Jones and others at from 9s 9d, 10s, 12s 6d, and 14s Gd each, but Mrs Pelham Jones’s sheep were exception ally heavy carcasses, and early shorn sheep- We sold crossbred ewes for Mrs Jones at 8s 9d each, and merino wethers and stores at 6s each. Crossbreds on ac count of Mrs Evans at 9s 9d each ; fat lambs at 8s 6d each ; springers at L 7 15s each; young stock at L 3 10s each.

Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co. report: —At the Addington Yards on Wednesday there was a good attendance of buyers, and the bulk of the stock yarded met with fair competition. 7,175 sheep, 362 head of cattle, and 267 pigs came forward. In sheep some prime and good quality cross breds came forward and changed hands at prices fully one shilling per head in ad vance of late sales, while stoi’es were also keenly sought after, the most of which were cleared out at prices fully up to owners’ expectations. The fat cattle con sisted of good medium quality sorts, for which description there was a good de mand. Store cattle were, however dull of sale, and with the exception of a few in different pens, no sales were effected. We sold on behalf of some of our clients, medium and gcod quality crossbreds from 9s to 10s 6d each ; merino wethers, at 7s 3d. Fat lambs, from 7s 3d to 8s 9d. Store crossbred ewes, in good condition, to lOs 6d. Prime steers at L77s 6d ;do (light weights) from L 5 17s 6d to LC 7s 6d ; stores (mixed), from L 3 10s to L 5. Pigs at 14s, 15s, and 30s each. At the Tinwald sale on Tuesday, we sold fat crossbreds at from 8s 6d to 11s 8d ; merino ewes (full mouth) at 4s 7d ; fat steers at L 6 15s. Pigs (small) 10s 3d.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows ; For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Eakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p. m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at G a. m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily.

From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, Saturday, March 19. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Lot 124, Thompson street, Tinwald ; Trustee’s Interest in Lot 10 ; 3 Shares in the Templar Hall Co.; 2 o’clock. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. Friday, April 1. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their salerooms, Ashburton—Building Sites ; 1 p.m. Matson, Cox, and Co., at their rooms, Ashburton—Valuable Freehold Farm, in the Hinds district; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-night, Friday, March 18. Fire Police—Meeting, at the Borough Council Chambers, 7.30 p.m. To-morrow, Saturday, March 19. Meeting of persons interested in the for mation of a Football Club, Quill’s Com mercial Hotel, 7.30 p.m. Monday, March 21. Service of Song—“ Eva”—in the Presby terian Church, at 8 p.m. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Thursday, March 24 Ashburton Industrial Exhibition, Town Hall. Tuesday, March 29. Ashburton Racing Club—General Meet ing, Quill’s Hotel, 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Ashburton Libraiy—Annual Meeting of Subscribers, in the Library, 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. 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), 4.35 p.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.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1881.

TOWN EDITION.

Football. —An advertisement in an other column convenes a meeting of those interested in football to bo Held, at Quill’s Hotel, to-morrow evening at half-past seven o’clock.

A Lengthy Inquiry. —lt having been found impossible to conclude the Welling ton asylum inquiry within the time given to the Commission, it is understood that it is the intention of the Government to ex tend the time.

Storming. —A meeting of the Ashbur ton Racing Club is called for the 29th, insfc., at Quill’s Hotel, to consider the advisability of holding a steeplechase meeting under the auspices of the Club, during the coming season.

The Exhibition. —Tickets issued at any railway station between Christchurch and Timaru for Ashburton, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th, inst., will be available for return up to and including the 28th, instant.

Hospitals and Charitable Insti tutions .—The Wellington correspondent of a contemporary states that the Go vernment intend that hospitals and charitable institutions shalffcontinucjafter the expiration of the financial year on March 31st to bo carried on as at present, in the same way as last year, until definite provision is made by the Legislature.

The Pulpit and the Turf. —At the Presbyterian Church at West Harbor, near Dunedin, on Sunday evening, the 6th instant, the Rer MrNiven thus fulminated with regard to racing:—“ 1 can scarcely restrain myself from referring to the foul blot on our civilisation that the past week presents. That such an institution as racing should be patronised to the extent it is, with all its villainous and attendant blackguardism, it is greatly to be depre cated, and it is above all a disgrace to Christianity. ” In the face of the above will the D.J.C. attempt another meeting ? Arrest. —A man named John Kelly, alias Edward Murphy, who bears a rather suspicious character, was arrested last night in Ashburton by Constable Smart, on a charge of larceny out of a tent. It appears that Mr S. Lucas, of the Prince Albert boarding-house, was camped in a tent near Chertsey on Wednesday even ing last, and observed a largo grass fire which was caused by the sparks Irom the engine of the last train to Ashburton. He left tiie tent to proceed to the scene of the fire, which was at the time in close proximity to fifteen stacks of grain. On his return to the tent a short time after wards, he found that a blanket, a pair .of boots, and some handkerchiefs were missing. The articles stolen have been found in the possession of the person arrested, and he will be brought up at the R.M. Court to-morrow. The stolen articles have been identified by Mr Lucas.

Fulfilment of a Dkeam.— The Pull Mall Gazette says that a remarkable case of a dream fulfilled is mentioned in con nection with the drowning of the master and crew of five men of the fishing schooner Sly Boots, of Brlxham, which has been run down off Torbay. The night was fine, and about a hundred fishing boats were trawling, when the American steamer Compton, as her captain reports, ran into “ something,” but after steaming round the spot for an hour failed to find any wreckage. That this was the Sly Boots now admits of no doubt. It is stated that on the same night the master’s wife dreamed that her husband’s vessel had been run into and sunk, and she woke up screaming, “Richard save my boy,” one of her sons as well as her husband being on board. Early next morning her eldest son came into her room and said ho had heard his father come'home in the night and go up stairs with his sea boots on. They told those dreams to their neighbors, but their fears were ridiculed. After, Long Years. —The Wellington Evenbui Post says :—A short time ago we reported the discovery of a human skull, supposed to be that of a lad named Stewart, who was lost in the bush_ near Hayward’s station 21 years ago. Mr Charles Stewart called at this - oftico to inform us that the skeleton of the lad has been found and identified as his son by means of a button found near the spot, which was at once recognised by the mother’. When Mr Stewart read of the discovery of the skull, he suspected that it was a portion of the remains of his lost boy, and he organised a party of ten men, who went out to search the bush in which the skull had been ’discovered. The searchers succeeded in finding the skeleton in a complete state, and also the button referred to. The remains were brought to the police station in Wellington, but it is unlikely there will be an inquest. It is just 21 years ago this month, that the lad who was five years of age, was sent by his father to bring in a cow from the bush, and never returned. The father got to gether some forty settlers, and instituted a search, which was unceasingly main ained for a period of three weeks, but all unavailingly. The country was hilly and covered with thick bush, and it was evi dent the little follow had lost himself, or had become entangled in the bush, ’and theie perished of starvation. It is a satisfaction to the parent)—though a melancholy one indeed —to recover, after a lapse of so many years, the remains of their child, and to be able to have them interred with Christian ceremony.

Ashburton Borough Council. A special meeting of the Council was lit Id his afternoon for the purpose of adopting he Borough By-laws. A Visitor. —Mr Archibald Forbes, the well-known war correspondent, will arrive at Auckland, by the May San Fiancisco Mail steamer.

Te Whiti Changing Front. —A tele gram received at Wellington by the Government mentions that the speech made by Te Whiti, yester day, was most hopeful. There was a total absence of boastfulness, and its general tenor was to allow all questions relating to the land to develop themselves ; that war was not to be ; and that the Go vernment of New Zealand would settle everything.

In another column. Messrs. Orr and Co. draw atten tion to the new Davis Vortical Kccd sewing machine. Frederick Pavitt has been appointed creditors' trustee in the estate of Francis Black, of Westerfield.

An advertisement appeals to-day, notifying that Henry M 4 Cntcheon intends making application for his discharge at the next sitting of the District Court.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Banter's Agency.) The Cost of a Little War. London, March 10. The House of Commons to-day voted the grant of L 5,000,000, which is to be made to the Indian Govern ment as England’s share of the cost of the last Afghan war. Monetary and Commercial. Three per cent. Consols have risen one-eighth, and are to-day quoted at par. The market rate of discount has risen from 2}i pet cent, to per cent. The bank rate remains un changed at 3 per cent. New Zealand securities are without quotable change. The Wool Sales. At the wool sale to-day 4,700 bales were offered. The tone of the auction was firm. Undermined. Sr. Petersburg, March 16. It has been discovered that the palace which was occupied by the Emperor Alexander the 111. when Czarwitch, is undermined, and sappers are now searching with the object of ascertaining whether any explosives are concealed in the passages. Turkey and Greece. Constantinople, March 16.

Definite information has transpired regarding the results up to the present time of the negotiations which have been proceeding during the past three weeks, between the Ambassadors of the Powers and the Ottoman Government, with a view to determine the Turko- Greek frontier question. It is now known that the Porte recently offered to cede Thessaly to Greece, but the European Ambassadors were at once unanimous in declining to accede to this arrangement, declaring that the proposed transfer of territory was totally inadequate to satisfy the legiti mate demands of the Greek Govern ment and the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin. The Porte thereupon ex pressed its willingness to cede the Island of Crete to Greece, but abso lutely refused to surrender the province of Epirus, which it was provided by the Berlin Treaty should form part of the extended Greek frontier. It is not known what reply has been returned by the Powers to this last proposal of the Porte.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Per Reuter's Agency.) For His Health’s Sake. Melbourne. To-day. Major W. C. Smith, the Victorian Minister for Education, will shortly proceed to New Zealand on a trip for his health. Railway Expenditure- Sydney, March 17. In the Legislative Assembly to-day, the Hon. John Lackey, Minister far Public Works, introduced his Public Works Statement, in the course of which he announced that it was proposed to undertake the construc tion of several additional lines of railway in the colony, involving an expenditure of 1-8,750,000. The debate on the proposal was opened, but adjourned till Tuesday next. Aquatics. A sculling match for Lxoo a-side took place to-day, on the Clarence river, near Grafton, between Rush and Pearce, two well-known oarsmen, and resulted in a victory for the former. Unsatisfactory. The news from Mount Brown diggings gives a very unsatisfactory account of the state of the field.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Killed by a Falling Tree. Auckland, To-day. A gum digger named Tom Soughey was killed at the Great Barrier by an old burnt kauri tree falling across the tent. His mate, lying behind him, narrowly escaped. The Stage. Mr R. J. De Lias has engaged for New Zealand James Garden, an English actor of repute, and two ladies, who accompany him, in the steamer Norfolk. An Old Story. Timaru, To-day. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning George, Robson, a butcher’s assistant, was charged with robbing a laborer named Miller of a watch and chain while he was asleep in an hotel bar. The accused denied the theft, and said the prosecutor was drunk, and that he took the watch away and pawned it merely for safe keeping. The accused was com mitted for trial. Embezzlement. Palmerston, To-day. William Everest, the Borough Clerk at Palmerston, was committed for trial to-day for embezzlement.

ATTEMPT TO DESTROY THE LON DON MANSION HOUSE.

(By Cable.) London, March 17. A box containing forty pounds of gunpowder, with a burning fuse at tached, was found last night on a ledge of the wall of the Mansion House.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBU RTON. —To-Day. (Before J. N. Wood, Esq., R.M.) fOLICE CASES. Drunkenness and Illegally on Pre mises.— Donald Kerris was charged with being drunk and illegally trespassing bn the raihvay line. His Worship fined the

accused Is for the first offence, and 10s for the second.

Breach of the Licensing Act.— Joseph Baldwin was charged with a breach of Bio Licensing Act. Sergeant Felton applied for an adjournment for 10 days which was granted. Cattle Trespass, — J. Brophy, for having two cows astray, was fined 5s and costs.

Unregistered Dogs.— W. H. Gundry was summoned for having an unregistered dog. Mr Crisp appeared for the defendant. Constable Neill deposed to having seen a dog in the store of the defendant which had no badge on. Mr Smith, clerk to Mr Gundry, deponed to there being a dog on the premises of their store, and it belonged to aMr Edmiston, of Christchurch. Mr Gundry had kicked the dog out of his office every time he saw it there. By the Police—Was not aware that Mr Edmiston had asked Mr Gundry to keep the dog. As a rule the dog was in Mr Bullock’s store as often as Mr Gundry’s. By his Worship—The dog belonged to a late partner of Mr Gundry’s. The dog was chained up in Mr Bullock’s stable by Mr Edmiston until recently. Mr Crisp argued that, according to the Act for the purposcsof registration, thedog was equally as much the property of Mr Bullock or Mr Edmiston as it was his client’s. His Worship recommended the police to withdraw the case and to sue Mr Edmiston if the dog was not registered at the date named. The case was with drawn accordingly. Andrew Wood, for a similar breach of the Act, was let off, because the dog was destroyed the same day the information was laid. Alexander Gaul, for having an unregistered dog, was fined 5s and costs. Thomas Hicks, for having two unregistered dogs, was fined 5s and costs on each charge. W. Sando, for having one unregistered dog, was fined 5s and costs. Thomas Andrews, who said ho registered his dog on the 21st, at the Borough Council office, wassummoned for a like offence, and fined 5s and costs. W. H Zouch and B. Furlong, were fined Is and costs each. William Adams was summoned for having an unregistered dog in his possession on February 21, and also with having a dog in his possession with an 1880 collar on. The second case was dismissed, and for the first he was fined Is and 2s costs. Michael Nealas and John Orr were each fined 5s and costs, and Michael Quinn Is and costs, for like oflences. Creating a Disturbance in a Licensed House. —Tyson Hodgson, for creating a disturbance at the Chertsey Hotel, was fined 40s and costs.

Transfer of License.—Mr Branson applied for a temporary license for the Central Hotel, from Joseph Baldwin to Samuel Brown. His Worship said he

would grant a temporary license, in order to give Mr Brown a chance of conducting the hotel in a proper manner. CIVIL CASES. Thompson v. Stoddart —Claim Ll 9 2s. Mr Purnell for plaintiff, Mr Spademan for the defendant. This was a claim for balance of wages alleged to be due, and for wrongful dismissal from the employ of the defendant. The plaintiff said he was engaged as a farm servant, on yearly wages. Was told one Saturday that he was no good, and must clear out after the Monday following. Plaintiff went away on the Monday, and ho received Lll 13s from the defendant. Had engaged for one year with the defendant, and since then

had not been able to got any employment for himself and wife. Had filed a declara tion of insolvency in Christchurch, since leaving defendant’s employ. (Gazette notice handed in). M.i Spackman objected to the notice going in, as 24 hoars’ notice had not been given, and that this was no proper proof given of bankrupty. His Worship said that with regard to Mr Spackman’s first objection, ho would dis allow it, but the notice of filing, as given, was not sufficient to prove the plaintiffs bankruptcy. Mr Purnell said that there was a sum of LG charged by the defendant for the service of a horse for the plaintiff, and which was deducted from plaintiffs wages, could not be claimed, as his client had filed since the debt was contracted. He would ask his Worship to make a note of his objection. Plaintiff continued — Defendant agreed to feed some cows for him. By Mr Spackman—The agreement for wages was made in Christchurch for twelve months, at L7O a year. Stoddart said he would only give LCO, and plaintiff said he would not come under L7O. Mathews was present at the time. Had sold horses to his brother, at Raagiora, and the proceds were handed over to his wife. This was six months before his bankruptcy. Never had any disturbance with Mr Stoddart, except on the one oc casion. Never was asked by Mr Stoddart to stop for a month longer. Was on the farm on the Sunday after he was told to clear out. Was told on the Monday that he could not leave the farm until the month was up. Defendant did say that he did not think wit ness was the man to leave the farm without a day’s notice when there were nine cows to milk. Said that he would stop until the twelve months were up if he (defendant) settled up with him. An account was nude out at the time, and witness objected to the item L 6 for the horse, as well as some other items in the account. Will swear that he said he was not satisfied with the settlement. Signed the block in the cheque-book as a receipt. By Mr Purnell—Defendant ordered the plaintiff off his farm without a month’s notice. Mrs Thompson, wife of the plain tiff, deponed to having heard the defendant order her husband away at a minute’s notice. Mr Stoddard never made any complaint about her husband. By Mr Spackman—Witness was only a few yards from Mr Stoddard when the dispute took place. The cow and heifer on the farm were her brother-in-law’s and not her husband’s. For the defence —W. Stod dard said he was a farmer at Longbeach. Made an agreement with the plaintiff in Christchurch. Mr Matthews was present. Agreed to give L7O a year as wages if he stayed one year, and L6O if less. Nothing was said about taking a cow and heifer on the farm. On a Saturday evening had some conversation with the plaintiff about a drain, and also about some oats that had been sown and which were destroyed by birds. Gave plaintiff a month’s notice. Saw plaintiff taking his boxes away on the following Monday morning, and told him that if it was his intention to leave at once a month’s wages would be deducted. De fendant’s son made out the account and handed it to Thompson. Plaintiff was quite satisfied with the account, and signed a receipt across the block of cheque. Did not take a month’s wages off. The receipt produced is the one given by plaintiff. By Mr Purnell—Plaintiff made no objection to any of the items in the account. Never allowed any servant of his to keep dogs on the farm. Never swore at the plaintiff at the time the altercation took place. After hearing the evidence of another witness named Mathews, and

counsel on both sides having addressed the Bench, his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff for LG and costs. Wolley v. Cullen.—-Claim L 6 17s 6d. Mr Ireland for plaintiff, Mr Branson for defendant. Plaintiff was nonsuited with costs. Ashburton County Council v. Mortbn.— Claim L2. This was a claim for medical attendance at the County Hospital. Mr Branson appeared for the plaintiff. The caretaker, Mr Madden gave evidence as to the defendant being an inmate of the Hos pital. Judgment for plaintiff' for amount claimed and costs. SOUTH RAKAlA— Thursday. (Before N. Wood, Esq., 11. M., and D. G. Holmes, Esq). Cattle Trespass. —o. Lake, charged with allowing three horses and one foal

to wander at large, waa fined ss, f and costs 2s ; J. Saiity, four head of cattle at large, fined 4s, and costs 2s ;, W. Doherty, six head of cattle, fined 12s, and 2s costs ; P. O’Mally, one cow, fined ss, and costs 7s ; J. Boucher, one head of cattle, lined ss, and 7s costs.

Breach cf the Railway Regulations —J. Moorhead, for riding over a railway crossing in front of a train in motion, was fined 10s. Breach of the Vagrancy Act. William Shipton was charged with this offence. Mr O’Reilly appeared for the prisoner. Constable Rouse deponed that prisoner complained to him on March 5 that he had been robbed of about L7O. Accused was then barman at the Methven Hotel, and stated that the money had been taken out of a box in his bedroom. The box produced was the one. Accused stated that he suspected two or three per sons, one of whom was searched. Saw no marks on the box to show that it had been tampered wi h. Ho said he had just taken the money out of the bank to pay his passage Home, and it was all he had. Next day he stated that a geld chain had also been taken. He tried to point out some marks where the box had been tampered with, but witness could not see j them. Ho said he did not think he ho would lose anything, as the people would probably make up the amount by subscription. Thomas Patton, farm manager, deponed : He knew the prisoner, who was barman for his brother. He asked witness to get up a testimonial for him as he was going Home, and said he would give a free dinner. Witness declined, but said he would not bo behind if there was one. Defendant said he had had all his money stolen, and had not enough .to pay his passage Horae. Robert Wilson, cook for Mr Patton, gave similar evidence. Robert Patton, hotel keeper, Methven, deponed : Prisoner was employed as his barman for about nine months at 30s per week. Oil March 5 he complained that his box had been broken open and his money taken. Prisoner slept in a room by himself. Heard nothing about getting up a subscription list for him till yesterday. After hearing further corroborative evidence, the Bench dismissed the case, and the prisoner was discharged. Civil Gases. —P. Tiseh v. Pruntz ; claim, LSB, money lent. Mr. Wilding for plaintiff, and Mr. O’Reilly for defendant. After hearing evidence, the Bench gave judgment for the amount claimed and costs, L 7 7s. —W. L. Allan v. D. Keilahan, for trespassing on private property. Mr. J. Holmes for plaintiff. Plaintiff ad milted the charge, but stated he had told his men to keep off the place, and had discharged one of them for not doing so. Pined 5s and costs, 295.—0.: N. Mackie v. J. C. Wason ; claim L 25 for damage done by trespass by defendant’s sheep in plain tiffs crops, in January last. Mr J. Holmes for plaintiff, and. Mr Spackman for defendant. Judgment was given for Ll 6 10s and costs, L 5 Is.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

CHAPTER 1. ‘ Large and roomy ; well furnished ; good garden ; healthy neighborhood ; within easy reach of a railroad station ; good boys’ school near; not far from London ; cheap ! ’ Thus, with some thing more than a suspicion of scorn in her voice, my sister Margaret ran off on her fingers the list of my requirements for a house.

‘You want every comfort,’ continued my sister, ‘ and you don’t want to pay for every comfort. I believe you Anglo-Indians think we live upon nothing in England.’

Her husband came in as she spoke. Turning to him she ran over again, with a slight exaggeration and a deeper infusion of contempt, the catalogue given above. He took a seat. ‘ Difficult,’ lie said, oracularly, ‘but it might be done. -1 have it,’ said he, turning to his wife.

‘What? The right house ! Then you are cleverer than I thought you.’ ‘ Do you remember the story Wil liams told us yesterday ? ’ ‘ Now, James,’said my sister, rising to her feet and looking at her husband severely, ‘ if you advise Eleanor to take that house you do it on your own re sponsibility. I wash my hands of it.’ ‘ Sit down again, Margaret,’ he said, ‘Be reasonable, my dear. Is there any sufficient reason why Eleanor should not take that house ? ’

‘There is one very good reason— she will have to do the housework her self No servant will stay a week.’ ‘ She has an Indian servant, at any rale, who must stand by her.’ ‘ But think of herself, of her feelings. You smile, James. Oh, yes, I know you think me absurd. Very likely I am absurd. But remember this— there’s no smoke without some fire. Beside, I know the last tenants. Mrs Green is not an idiot. She told me—’

‘ Stay a moment,’ said my brother in-law, and he addressed himself to me. ‘ Eleanor, tell me the truth ; are you a believer in ghosts ? ’ * Does this mean .that the eligible house is haunted?’ I exclaimed, much stimulated by what I had heard. ‘lf so, I will take it at once. Write to the agent for me, James.’ ‘ I do believe you are all going mad,’ said my worthy sister, holding up her hands in horror. ‘James, you are a sensible man. You know things ought not to be done in a hurry. Eleanor, listen to what I heard from the last tenant. She told me with her own lips —its none of vour second-hand

stones ‘ No,’ I interrupted. ‘ Don't tell me. If there is a ghost it will show itself. If there is not I might be set thinking of your story, and might imagine it; or at least,’ —correcting myself—‘ I might be betrayed into telling somebody else. Somebody else might imagine it.’ My brother-in-law thereupon entered into rn elaboiate description of the house, which had everything I could desire, and he believed I could have it for a rent which was so small, consider ing its advantages, as to seem nearly nominal. ‘ The fact is,’ he said, ‘ their principal object is to have the thing off their hands. Tenants have been coming and tenants have been going; and some have paid and some have not paid. The place has got a bad name in the neighborhood. The owners, however, think that if a respectable tenant comes and stays for some time it will have a good effect on the public mind. But, as Margaret says, you must count the cost. Your servants will be sure to hear the ghost story. They will see visions and dream dreams. You may have to do a good deal of the work yourself. By-the-by, there is an old housekeeper, a Mrs Weevil, who lives in the lower rooms.’ ‘ Could we not get rid of her ?’ I said. ‘ She might tell the servants.’ ‘ I am afraid that would be easier said than done,’ he answered. ‘ She has some claim upo i the family. But *

is a quiet old soul, who i iterferes with nobody. You might warn her you know.’ ‘ Well,’ I said, ‘ let us write to the agent, and see what can be done.’ The result of this was that, a week or two later, on a placid afternoon in the month of August, I drove up with my children, servants and luggage before the deep porch of one of "those moderately sized country houses which abound in the county "of Surrey. It was to be my home for the next ■ months—servants and ghosts .pefsnit-

For once description and the... expect « tation that followed hard upon it weje* > I felt, abundantly justified. My earthly paradise was a paradise indeed, ;> apd joyfully, on the evening of our arrival, I sat and wrote to my husband of ohr/ good fortune. The house was beautLT fully situated, and was itself picturesque, with its deep porch in front, and.the, neat balcony that surmounted it. It was an irregular building, and its red brick walls were half smothered swilh ’ ivy and clematis. Beyond the garden' in front was a broad fawn, bounded by the grand old beeches and elnjs which, form a belt round Lord B—’s estate. During the first few. weeks nothing happened to change aiy good opihoin ' ! of the house.

There was one circumstances I did, * not like; but I persuaded myself that it was trivial, and to be affected,by. it, proved ultra-sensitiveness; : besides J had been warned beforehand. Two of the lower rooms were occupied by old woman. She -was a was told, of our landlord’s. ’Many,/.', years ago she had been housekeeper/: to some relatives of his, who U|ed in the house, and she had lived irf it ever since. I wished to see her.a rid Halvah some conversation with hen ; I'dislikedv "**■ in the first place, that any, one. whpm^; > I knew nothing of should be in my house; and in the second place, I was anxious to warn her to keep the ghost story (whatever that might be) secrete ? My three English servants were tiorth*" country girls. I had taken good that they should be utter. strangers? to the neighborhood but I knew If a possibility of seeing a ghost were. sug-- T gested to them they would soon make I the possibility a certainty, and thep trouble would begin. I sent a polite message, ., Mrs Weevil, asking for an interview ; and she came to, my room. She was pot a prepossessing woman. Her age might be somewhere between 60 and jo ; and as she dropped an awful courtesy 'dn entering, I felt she was giving me an;, homage which she did not pay willingly. I said that I understood that she had permission from the owner of the. hous<a to occupy certain rooms in it. ' ;

‘Yes, ma’am,’ she said; ‘but niot • from the owner as is the owUer of lhe-“ ’ouse now, ma’am.’ T r She manifested, I thought, a-cer|airf' J" little concealed sulkiness as T ‘ webP 6A * to ask her if she cou!d> not be - induced \ to find accommodation ’Tor iielrself iud. some of the cottages on the adjoining estate, so as to give us the house to ourselves. She stubbornly refused. ‘No ma’am,’ she , went,on to say, , ‘ l am an old woman as has for nigh twenty years, ,and j never gives trouble to no one. I only wishes to be. . let alone; and I means to stay ma’am —yes, 1 means to stay.’ . 1 . ; I saw that it, would serve no pur- 1 pose at present to try to dissuade her yd and as I did not wish to quarrel with her, I changed the conve’rsatibn. I said I understood that there were some l) foolish stories current about the JiquStihT being haunted, and 1 hoped, whatever she thought of it, that she would say_ nothing to my servants on .the sybjoefe ‘lf your servants ’lTlet ma’am, I’ll let them alone. I has no . wish to meddle with any lady’s set- / vants.’ d i a.

I then permitted her to gor She was certainly no trouble, about the house; and she was very seldom seen either by me or the serVantsr !K SSS J “ only went out occasionallyy make such purchases as her necessities might require, locking the door of her rooms both in going and returning. A month passed by. People iii <hfe‘T neighborhood began to call, They all praised the house and grounds; but they all looked mysterious* and-'one and another hmted: ‘You won’t here over the winter.’ J My answer was a smile. But the,,?; winter came. Flowers faded.; trees ; ,- grew red, golden, brown; and at last] their shivering leaves fell to - It was an early.winter,,; In Novembfee the cold was intense, and the, daX s i:t were short and gloomy. Many years have passed by since I had spent A winter in England, and I felt the cold ~ , very much, I made the best of things, however, muffled myself and the child- ;: ren in flannel, keeping the doors and windows closed, and having large fires in the rooms and hall. In spite pfall I could do, two of them fell ill, for their ayah (Indian nurse) was suffering at the moment from a severe, cold, which rendered her almost incapable of help ing me. Such was my position, when, »pne]-'‘ morning, my housemaid asked to see me. 1 knew what this meant ;>and was not surprised to hear that she in tended to leave us that very day. j Her mother wanted her, she said. I asked ./ her mother’s reason. She was impene trable. 1 offered her wages. She said, trembling that she would not stay if I, were to offer her a hundred pounds,* . I began to perceive that the news olf the' ghost story had got abroad; and I f asked her if there was anything in thej. house of which she was afraid ; but |o this question she was dumb.*" I sdiid "I would see her again, and sat down to think, with my sick child in* my lap.

Even while I was thinking, there came a knock at the door of my room." ."J ; cried out ‘Come in,’ but my heart/ ' sank. : My cook was at the door. : The‘girt ' 1 who helped in the kitchen and liousfe T was behind her. Both looked scared" and announced that they. wete*gsi|g- T did not know what 'to do, :fTp , gain time I ordered them backito’ thellt I work. I had no money in the house, I said. The bank, as they kheW/ ! vrtls ( some. miles distant, They- , right to leave me without; .q#® : ~jiptK^,^* a in fact, I would not let them go said, and hoped they : wcrt a! tmie. But late-that eveninggtife came to me with cbnsternattdn : face. AH the English servants had left me! ...r,; u / By. that time the cwei«/ in bed and everything was still. 1 bade

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1881.



N OTIGE TO SUBSCRIBERS. Subscribers to this Journal are requested to communicate with the Proprietor when any delays or omissions in the Delivery of this Paper occur. W. H. ZOUCH, ■ Proprietor. I ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in -yety neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guahiman Office,. K;ist street, near Railway Station.



"Wanted. WANTED— A smart RUNNER, to go to Winslow by afternoon train. Apply, Guardian Office. WANTED— A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 173 a WANTED —For Mrs Cape-Williarnson, Newland School, a GIRL about fourteen, to assist in housework. Apply to Mrs Carstens, Burnett street 341 a WANTED BOARD and RESI DENCE, near the Post-office. Apply, by letter, to “ X,” Office of this Paper. 383 a T COMPOSITORS. WANTED-A good NEWS HAND. Piece-work, Is, Id. per 1,000. Apply at once, Office of this Paper. WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a WANTED TO SELL Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanui Road. Apply to Patching, Tent-maker, East Street. 893 UNCLE TOM —“ What’s little missy’s name,?” EVA. 354 a TTT ANTED KNOWN That the VV undersigned is now landing 100,000 feet Best Union KAURI, ex Aratapu, from Kaipara. J oshua Tucker, next Jameson and Roberts, Ashburton. 302 a WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a WANTED TO SELL PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes : 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £45; Bord, £25; Broadwood, £26 ; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14 stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of any kind can be obtained on deferred pay ments. Address: Cameron street west. 86a 17^ VA—At the Presbyterian Church, on u MONDAY NIGHT, 21st March, 8 o’clock, Rev A. M. Beattie in the chair ; Connective Readings by Dr Stewart. 355 a WANTED KNOWN —The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. _______ XTTANTED KNOWN. Ashburton VV REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.—L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that ho has 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 to apply to Li F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a SERVICE OF SONG by the Presby terian Church Choir, on MONDAY NIGHT, 8 o’clock. Tickets everywhere. Is each. 35Ca



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘BAE bogs to inform the , public that he has taken the \bove Stables from Mr. Bosseuberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 DON’T FORGET—“ EVA,” a Service of Song, taken from “ Uncle Toni’s Cabin.” Most entertaining and instruc- WANTED KNOWN—That Visiting Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the “Guardian” office, opposite the Railway Station. Special Advertisements. T HE 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, now established all over New Zealand. I The Garments are thoroughly shrunk. The Fit and Style are perfect. The Workmanship is equal to bespoke. The Trimmings are of superior qualify and strength. The Tweeds are of the very best de scription. The Stock is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The tall, short, lean, and stout, can ho equally well fitted. The Goods are all marked in plain figures. The system of business is to exchange every article that does not give satisfac tion. And, in addition to all these advantages, you can purchase A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Mercery, Hats, Shirts, Ties, Scarves, Bags, Portmanteaux, Rugs, and Blankets, at Wholesale Prices. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Verv Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch ; EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 3G9a* Manager, O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B:D. Pipes , Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a*



Special Advertisements. J. Sliemff, Monumental mason, Manchester street south, and Bar bacloes street (near the Cemetery). A largo Stock of Head-Stones, Tombs and Monuments always on hand. Designs for warded on application. 323 a



O TICE. Miss Yerrall Wishes to inform the Ladies of Ashbur ton and the surrounding districts that she will bo at ASHBURTON the THREE DAYS of the EXHIBITION to .take orders and measures for Ladies requiring Stays, Corsets, Belts, and Shoulder Straps, &c. A case of these several articles will be at the Exhibition, of Miss Yerrall’s own make. For any information required apply to Mr. Thiele, Baker and Confec tioner, where Miss Yerrall will bo in at tendance. COLOMBO STREET (Oposite Coekham House), Christchurch. March 10, 1881. 324 a W. H. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a ENCOLHTaOE' ThKJAir ENT E U PR.ISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards. 1,000, 7s 6d ; : 0,000, 0s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Baring Square. : 305 a