North; Tlurra^iorNelaon. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Glenavon, barque, from Ade laide. Sailed—Elizabeth Curie, for Welling ton* Sydney, Yesterday. ■ Sailed—Hero, s.s., for New Zealand.

MAIL NOTICES.

Muila close at the Chief Post Office for the following places (subject to the neces sary alterations) as under : Monday, May 9. For the North, per Grafton. Tuesday, May 10. For Otago and Australian Colonies, per Ringarooma, at 1.40 p.m. ; late fee letters at 2 p.m.; guard’s van 2.30 p.m. ; train. Wednesday, May 11. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi , (for specially addressed correspondence 1 Only), Continent of Europe, Point de Galle, India, the East, China, Japan, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, Cape of Good Hope, • Suez, the Mediterranean Ports, and Australian Colonies, Ac., per express train (to connect with s.s. Ringarooma at Bluff), as follows Ordinary letters, at 7 a.m. ; books and newspapers at 6 a.m. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. on Tuesday I2th ; money orders at 4 p.m. on Tuesday 12th. Late lee letters may be posted in the travelling Post-office van attached to the express train on Wednesday, May 11th. The next mail for the United King- Sm (via San Francisco) will leave on ay 21.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, May 10. J. T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Sheep. . Matson, Cox, and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Sheep. Thursday, May 12. Dan Henderson and Co., on the premises, "East street—The whole of the Property known as the Ashburton Hotel; 2p. m. Saturday, May 14 Dan Henderson and Co., at their rooms, Saunders’ Buildings Usual Weekly Sale; 12 o’clock. Saturday, May 21. ■ Mr. T. Bullock, at hia Rooms, East street —Valuable Town and Suburban Pro perties. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Monday, May 9. Public Meeting, at Willowby, Schoolroom, to form a Sparrow Club ; 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10. oroug Council —Special Meeting, at the Council Chambers, at 2 p.m. Monday, May IG. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, June 1. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Tuesday, June 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, . from 6.30 to 8.30 p.jn._^_________

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881.

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

The Would-be Suicide. —Michael Quirk, who attempted to commit suicide in the Timaru Domain on Monday last, is slowly recovering from the effects of his wound, and should a relapse not take place, he will soon be fit to be removed to Sunny side Asylum, of which institution he was an inmate two years ago. Narrow Escape. —Yesterday, as the goods train was leaving the Rakaia station for Ashburton, and when opposite Wallace’s crossing, a man attempted to jump on the train. Ho was dragged for several yards on the ground, until he let go his hold of the hand-rails, when he rolled over within a few yards of the wheels. He seemed to rise up with difficulty, and to walk as if in pain ; but we have been unable to learn if his in juries wore of a serious character. The Explosion on the Doterel.— H.M.S. Doterel, which was recently blown up in Magellan Straits, was a com posite sloop of 1,137 tons register, 900 horse-power, and six guns. The following is a list of her officers :—Commander, Richard Evans; Lieutenants, W. O. Forrest, A. R. M. Oreagh, I. M. Stokes ; Staff Surgeon, W. P. M. Boyle ; _ Pay master, J. N, Colborne ; Chief Engineer, W. Read; Engineer, W. Ord ; Gunner, J. Driscoll ; Carpenter, W. B. Baird ; Clerk, C. M. Irving. Elgin School. —The ordinary monthly meeting of this School Committee was held in the schoolhouse on Wednesday evening last. Present—Messrs J. Stanley Bruce (chairman), John Cochrane, Andrew Letham, James Skillen, and Thomas Holmes. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, and the correspondence since the last meeting, the following reso lutions were passed: —“ That thd Com mittee sanctions the chairman obtaining the books, &c., asked for by the master, ” —Moved by Mr J. Cochrane, and seconded by Mr Letham. “That the master’s request to use the schoolhouse for the purpose of holding an evening class twice a week, from seven to nine o’clock, during the winter quarter, be granted condition ally that he has six pupils, but no fire or smoking will be allowed, as the Commit tee are liable in case of any accident aris ing therefrom.”—Moved by Mr Letham and seconded by Mr Skillen. “ That the accounts before the meeting, amounting to Ll 5 10s., be passed for payment.”— Moved by Mr Cochrane and seconded by Mr Holmes. The Committee then ad journed.

Representation of Bruce. The Bruce Herald gives currency to a report that Mr C. S. Reeves will be a probable candidate for Bruce at the general elec tion.

A Convert. —A clerk in the employ of

the Auckland City Council named Day, has been appointed a Mormon Elder. He has resigned his appointment, and goes to Utah.

The Riverhead Stabbing Case.—T. Sunuins, concerned iu the Riverhead at tempted murder, has been remanded till the 12th in st., as the girl, Annie Garble, is not yet recovered sufficiently to give evidence.

The Golden Crown Swindle.— The disqualification of Mr Byers (owner), Byers’ jockey, and the horse Golden Crown, by the Auckland Racing Club has been endorsed by the Dunedin Jockey Club.

Agricultural Statistics. —The agri cultural returns for South Canterbury dis- 1 trict show that the estimated yield of | wheat was 1,483,240 bushels, of oats, , 767,801 bushels ; barley, 157,165 bushels. The total number of acres under crop was . 312,785. Templary. —At the usual meeting of the Will and the Way Lodge, Ne. 206, Tinwald, held on Wednesday evening, Bro. P. S. Shearer, D.G. W.C.T., duly in stalled the officers for the ensuing quarter. It was decided to hold an open Lodge meeting on Wednesday evening next, at which readings, recitations, &c., will be given by members of the Order. From Post to Paddock. —The crack three-year-old of the year in Australia, Grand Flaneur, broke down very badly in one of his forelegs the Saturday before the Sydney races, and will race no more. He has been purchased by Mr Andrew Town for stud purposes. If this son of Yatten don is as successful in getting flyers as his own brilliant performances on the turf would warrant us in expecting, no doubt he will be cheap at the figure paid by his new owner—viz., L 5,000. ■.The Railway Embezzlement Case.— J. J. Farrell, formerly a clerk in the goods department of the railway at Timaru, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with embezzling . three sums of money, amounting in all to L 8 13s 2d, the property of the Government. The principal witness for the prosecution (Harry Turner, the ticket clerk) gave his evidence in a very confused manner, and the case occupied the Court all the after noon. Accused was committed for trial on each of the three charges. Bail was fixed in two sureties of L 75 each, and accused in his own recognisance of LIOO. Supreme Court. —The Supremo Court wasopened at New Plymouth yesterday by his Honor Judge Richmond. There are eight cases for trial, being various forms , of larceny, two cases of forgery, and one of embezzlement. Win. Cunningham, for stealing a gold chain from Mr Brewer, at Hawera, was found “ Guilty,” and sen tenced to eighteen months’ hard labor; James Smith, for forgery, received two years’ imprisonment; John Wills, charged with stealing a horse, was acquitted. The jury found true bills against Wilkinson for embezzlement of money from the Go vernment at Hawera. The case will be heard on Mondaj 7 . Creating a Disturbance.— At South 1 Rakaia,on Thursday, before O. N. Mackie, D. G. Holmes, and E. S. Coster, Esqs., ! Patrick Moriarty, N. Dulland, Thomas - Cockee, and M. Murphy were charged by the police with creating a disturbance. Patrick Moriarty, who had been previously convicted, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labor. Thomas Cockee was sentenced to one week’s hard ■ labor. N. Dulland was fined 20s, and the case against M. Murphy was dis l missed. P. Moriarty was also charged by Mr J. S. Crompton with creating a disturbance in his licensed house. Ho was sentenced to one week’s imprisonment, to run concurrently with the previous sentence. Instructions to the Union S. S. Com pany’s Officers. —The following is an ex tract from a circular of instructions issued I by the Union Steamship Company, on Nov. 25, 1878, signed by the Managing Director, Mr James Mills : —“ Give par ticular instructions to the officer in charge of the bridge that when he has any doubt as to the safety of the course on which the * steamer may be at any time proceeding, he shall, on his authority, and without waiting to consult you, stop the steamer, and then seek your directions. Any officer neglecting this duty shall, on proof of the same, be dismissed the Company’s service. ... In dense fog,‘the lead must be kept constantly going, and if the soundings suggest the smallest doubt of the course you are running you shall then turn the vessel’s head off from what you conceive to be the direction of the land, and wait until you are enabled to ascer tain your position These directions are placed before you for your guidance, and you will exercise what further precuations your experience and judgment may suggest.” Mr M. Nealas has received his winter slock of bools and shoes. Matrimony and cakes form the subject of Mr Ailken's announcement to-night. 1 Mr Donald McLean and the Chairman of the Tinwald Domain Hoard invite tenders for fencing. An advertiser wants work at contract ploughing or any other work; and Mr T. Quill reouires a man to make himself generally useful Tenders arc invited by Mr D. Oliver, of Westerfield, for cutttng and burning gorse. Matson, Cox, and Co. have a number of specia entries for the next Tinwald sale; particulars elsewhere

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per reuter’s agency.] Still Resisting. London, May 5. Mr Parnell has given notice in the House of Commons ot a motion for the rejection of the Irish Land Bill. The Country Thanks Her Troops. In both Houses of Parliament to-day, motions were passed conveying a vote of thanks to the officers and men of the British army engaged in Afghanis tan and the Transvaal, for their gallant conduct during the campaigns in those countries. Consols. Consols remain at The total reserve of notes and bullion in the Bank of England is Li 5,800,000. The Bank rate of discount remains at 2*4 per cent. ; the market rate has been reduced to 2*4 per cent. Five per cent. New Zealand 1889 Loan is quoted at ex dividend ; Five per cent. 10.40 New Zealand Loan is unchanged at ; and Four-and-a-Half per cent. 1879-1904 New Zealand Loan, 101. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, is quoted at 48s ; New Zealand wheat, at 445; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, remains at 33s ; Australian best beef tallow, 345 ; best mutton, 365. There is a fair demand for most descriptions of Australian hides. The Obstructionists and the Land Bill. The Irish members, out of revenge for the arrest of Mr Dillon, are abstain ing from taking part in all party divisions in the House of Commons on the Irish Land Bill, which is now under consideration,

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] Colonial “Fizz ” Melbourne, May 6. The trial of Dr. L. L. Smitii’s colonial champagne took place to-day. There was a large representative gathering,

and good judges declared the wine to be excellent. It look a' second award at the recent Exhibition. The Cerebus Calamity. Melbourne, To-day. The report of the Board appointed to investigate the circumstances at tending the Cerebus torpedo calamity has been issued. It concludes that the explosion was due to the presence of an electric current between the battery and torpedo. The arrange ments which had been made for carrying out the experiments are judged to have been faulty. Regret is expressed that Commander Mandeville was absent from the vessel when preparations were being made. At Home Once More- The Merchant Shipping, and Underwriter’s Association wire as follows :—London, May s—Arrived5 —Arrived : Wanganui, ship, from Auckland, on January xB. The Census.

Sydney, May 6. The provisional abstract of the census taken on the night of Sunday, 3rd April, has been issued to-day. The total population of the colony of New South Wales is approximately 850,000, and that of the City of Sydney and suburbs 220,000 The Markets. Hennessy’s brandy, case, 36s 6d ; bulk, quarters, 12s 3d. New Zealand oats were quoted to-day at 2s 6d per bushel ; maize, per 6olbs, 2s 6d; tobacco, Raven’s twist, per lb, is 3d. Adelaide, May 6. Wheat firm, at 4s 6d; town flour is quoted at Lio 10s, and country brands L 9 los to L 9 15s.

NEW ZEALAND

[per press association.] Broke Down Again. Auckland, To-day. The charges against Mr H. N. Abbott, for holding sweeps on races, again failed to-day, the informations being ruled bad, on an objection taken by the defendant’s counsel.

Hit the Wrong One. Hawera. To-day. A man was shot on the Mountain road to-day. It appears that two men were on a bullock dray, and seeing a wild pig, they gave chase. In the excitement ouo man shot tho other through the thigh. Dr. Richards attended and dressed the wound. The case is a serious one, as slugs were used, and it is feared the leg will have to be amputated. Postponing the Korero. Wellington, To-day. Parliament is further prorogued until 2 o’clock in the afternoon of June 9th. Mysterious Deaths. Dunedin, To-day. At Portobello, two children, aged four and two years, died under peculiar cir cumstances. Dr Brown has been attend ing them, and he says death is tho result of blood poisoning from glanders, com municated by a horse, but enquiries insti tuted by the police, failed to discover any horses so diseased in the locality. Thought Better of it. Invercargill, To-day. Mr McCaughan, the member for River ton, has decided not to resign his seat. He addresses his constituents before the session. Mr Hirst, the member for Orepuki, will also meet the electors. Population in the Far South. The census returns for Invercargill show Males, 2,375 ; females, 2,222 ; total, 4,597; increase, 836. Suburbs (approximate)—3,2l4. Riverton, 1,191, of whom 113 are Chinamen. The popula tion outside the town boundary is 20, shewing an increase of 214. Orepuki and Round Hill, 917, of whom 368 are Chinanien.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON. —To-Day. (Before his Worship the Mayor.) An Old Offender. Mary Ann Nugent, better known as “ Port Wine Annjm” was charged with vagrancy, and with iqdecent exposure of person. There was rquite a list of previous convictions against her, and being a habitual drunkard and vagrant, she was sent to gaol for nine months, with hard labor. Indecency. —E ichard Wood w r as charged with indecent exposure, and after evidence had been heard, he was found guilty, and was sentenced to two months’ imprison ment, with hard labor. Drcnk and Disorderly. —James Balony was charged with having been drunk and disorderly yesterday. He admitted the charge, and was sent to prison for 14 days, failing the payment cf a fine of LI. A Trio of Drunks. —George Colley was fined 5s for a drunken spree, and Jeremiah Daly, who had been at this sort of thing before, was fined LI. Donald O’Brien owned up to the same offence without any equivocation, and was lot off with a caution, on the payment of Is 6d that his carriage to the lock-up cost.

WATERTON SPARROW CLUB.

The adjourned meeting of the farmers of the Waterton district was held at the Library room, Waterton, on Thursday evening last. Mr Thomas Taylor pre sided. The Chairman explained that the object of the meeting was to consider the best means of destroying the various small birds which at this time of the year were so destructive to farmers generally. The Secretary having road some corres pondence respecting the best method of poisoning the grain, the following mem bers of the Club were duly elected, viz.: —Messrs A. Dawson, T. Davies, T. Taylor, T. White, J. Shearer, P. O’Shan nassy, W. Moses, F. Clothier, T. Barr, C. Sargisson, H. Kennedy, H. Hudson, J. Milne, S. Holland, H. Frampton, T. M. Smith, J. Bishop, Brooks, W. Probble, H. Donaldson, T. Bell, T. Crosson, A. J. Houston, N. Thompson, T. Bullock, F. White, D. Evans, 0. Colo, and T. J. Dawson. Mr Shearer proposed, Mr Barr seconded —“ That Mr James Davies bo appointed treasurer to the Club. ” Carried. Mr Thomas Taylor suggested that every farmer being more or less interested in the movement, those who could afford it should give some wheat to those who were unable to afford the expense. For his part, he was willing to give two bushels of wheat to be poisoned, and which was to be sold to anyone on pay ment of the cost of poisoning. As a practical result of Mr Taylor’s suggestion, the following farmers pro mised to give two bushels of wheat each, viz. :—Messrs T. Taylor, Dawson, J. White, C. Sargisson, C. Barr, and Shearer, and those who promised one bushel were Messrs Donaldson, and Ken nedy. Fifty-five shillings were also sub scribed by members present, who were elected as above. It was decided to appoint Messrs White and Moses a committee for poison ing the wheat for the Club, and Mr Hud son was asked to take charge of the grain and that delivered for the use of the Club. • It was proposed by Mr Holland, seconded by Mr Hudson —“That .the treasurer be instructed to obtain strych nine and phosphorous, for the use of the Club.” After passing a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting terminated.

JOTTINGS.

[By Sinecure.] Sparrow Clubs are springing up in all directions, and the feathered depredators will lead a lively time of it if things result as appearances promise. Recently, at a meeting of a Sparrow Club situate some few miles from here, a prominent and apparently well versed member of the Club submitted a resolution wherein it was proposed, “that all poison supplied to the Club should go through the Chair man.” The Chairman, however, did not see it, or rather, I should have said, was the only person who “ did see it,” and he declined to “play sparrow.”

They’re not particular, those miner fellows in Victoria, if I may judge by an item which appeared in the correspon dence columns of the Australasian, and which stated that “at a recent shire election one of the candidates died before the election came off; acting on the advice of counsel, the poll was proceeded with, and singular to say ,tho dead man was elected.” This was complimentary to No. 2on the list. The correspondent doesn’t say so, but I expect those electors must have been, as is usual at elections, spiritually inclined.

It is amusing to note the answers sometimes published in the leading colonial journals to questions put by correspondents to the editor. Recently the following appeared in the Wellington Post in answer to a Carterton correspondent who sought in formation as to the method of administer ing by-sulphate of carbon for the destruc tion of rabbits in their burrows, viz.; ‘ ‘ Make a small ball about the size of a small stick. r ’ Whether that enquirer suc ceeded in following out this lucid instruc tion must, I suppose, for ever remain a myth. I may be curious, but I’d like to know how he progressed.

That was a “merry” time of it (old King) Cole had during his four days’ “ putting up ” at a certain little hostelry over the water. Well, “ a fool and his money are soon parted,” but its time this colonial system of “lambing down” was put a stop to by the law.

There are some owners of horses in the North Island who are, I should judge, inveterate enemies of the knights of the pencil and book. The man who christened his moke Parikorangaranga must surely have had in view the indirect destruction of a few bookmakers, tor I’m certain some cases of lockjaw will ensue if that horse ever occupies first favorite’s place. Fancy having to shout out—“ I’ll lay 2tol on Parikor

Perhaps some of your readers have wondered why ere this a lengthy reply to “ A Roman Catholic’s ” contribution has not appeared in your paper with my nom de plume attached thereto. Well, Mr Editor, the reason is that I never answer .anonymous correspondents who display their vituperance over a matter in no way intended to call forth the ire of any par ticular body. This, I think, will be deemed sufficient explanation of my here tofore silence. I certainly was somewhat surprised to see that one of my last batch had acted on the bilious organs of one of your readers, and was still more surprised at the charges of little-miudedness, bigotry, and a number of other choice expletives applied to me in your corres pondent’s amusing production. Was it a case of measuring another’s corn by his own bushel ? Don’t you think the color of the glass through which my remarks were perused had a great deal to do with it ?

“ Uneasy is the head that wears a crown,” but how much more so must be the head that bears a coronet and the following selection of names viz : George William Christain Albert Edward Alexander Frederick Walderaar Ernest Adolph ; which I learn is the revised and correct list prefixed to the family name borne by the infant son of Princess Thyra and the Duke of Cumberland. Only a total of 71 letters, ten of which are capitals. Rather rough, too, I should imagine, on the younger sons. Where will they raise names to gratify the demand in this direction in the future ?

I notice that, notwithstanding the dis closures made in connection with the Rodanow Watch swindle, some of the country journals still publish the adver tisement of the bogus company. The Inangahua Herald is one of these.

Who has not come across instances of the “ dignity of labor ” ? But I heard of an instance in point this week which I think puts in the shade any I ever before heard of. The scene was one of our lead ing hotels, and the time (as the playbills say) the present. A generally-useful—re markable for nothing but laziness, and hair of as fiery a red as you might discover in the course of a pretty long day’s travel —had been summarily dismissed by his employer, and being apparently somewhat loth to leave a comfortable home, a little force had to be used to induce him to quit the premises. The necessary power was applied, and the hot-headed one seemingly took his departure, and calm once more reigned over the shrine devoted to Bacchus. A quiet half-hour was allowed to elapse, and then enter to mine host the discharged rouse-about, and requested to bo re-instated, you say. Not so. What recked he of the loss of place ! of pay ! ! of power !! ! His modest request to his late was not even for a character ; only a demand, couched in the politest of language, for the restoration of the handful of auburn locks which had been abstracted from his shock head in the powerful melee conse quent on his summary ejectment.

And now let me put aside my motley, let me doff my cap and bells, and give me space to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of the many brave men who un dauntedly met death, fearlessly battling with the elements on board the ill-fated Tararua. Of all the accounts which I have read of the scenes on the fast-sink ing vessel, I can find scarcely one that does not tell of personal bravery on the part of some of those who have now stepped across that line which separates the known from the Great Unknown. Personally, I knew but few of the lost ones, but amongst that few I number the late Captain Garrard. And when I read the narrative of the sailor Dcnz, published by you this morning [This portion of our contributor’s article appears to have been written yesterday.—Ed. O. ], and came to that part where lie tells of the gallant joung captain holding the sailor’s infant child in the fore rigging high above the seething billows, seeming ingly anxious for their prey—well, I think I felt a touch of that “nature which makes the world kin.” Now, feel ing the utmost for those who are gone, let ns not forget those who are left behind to mourn them ; and, while wo know that no help of ours can bring solace to many a sorrowing fireside, let us do the best we can to alleviate the sudden sufferings of the many unfortunate widows and orphans bei-eft of the one they held so dear—the one who, under Providence, was their mainstay and support.

IN A MOMENT OF PERIL.

It was a most benighted place —quite

“ the end of the world.” The nearest 1 log-hut was five miles away, and the j nearest settlement—the Old Red Ranch, as it was called —thirty. The ‘ Forest family had pitched upon it quite ( by accident, when they had migrated s from the old country ten years before. Mr Forest had purchased a vast tract i of. uncultivated land on the Red . River, and had settled there, like the 1 patriarchs of old, with his wife and i children, his men-servants and maid- i servants, his flocks and herds, and everything that was his. Since then everything had prospered with him. Wide ranges of prairie, magnificent sweeps of forest and wood, green hills and dales, belonged to him. He was literally and truly monarch of all he surveyed. His family consisted of his wife, three grown-up sons, and one daughter, Nancie, a sweet, mis chievous, dark-eyed damsel of eighteen, whose capacities for flirting and mis chief were as fully developed as any town belle’s. One would not have imagined there was much scope for these special accomplishments in the wilds of Texas ; but there was not a young fellow within fifty miles of Forest Hill who was not in love with Miss Nancie’s beaux yeux, and not one but would have ridden twice the distance for a kind word or a sign of favor from the somewhat capricious but always charming young beauty. The Northcotes —distant relatives of 1 the Forests —were the owners of the Red Ranch settlement, a place one [ degree more civilised than Forest Hill, 1 inasmuch as it boasted one shop and r a post-office. Young Fred Northcote, i the eldest son, was one of Miss 5 Nancie’s most devoted slaves, and, as 1 such, was tyrannised over quite un mercifully. The young fellow was } always finding his way over to Forest , Hill on some pretext or other. He had 3 spoken his wishes plainly enough long 1 before, but Miss Nancie was a flirt, f She would not say “ Yes,” but she did ' not say “No;” and meanwhile Fred j was kept in suspense, chafing and im t patient enough, and yet bound hand t and foot to his wilful, charming lady - love, and perhaps, man-like, loving her all the more for her caprice. It was a brilliant morning in April—

summer weather in the Far West, the sun already blazing down fiercely, and promising a tropical noon-day. Mr Forest and young Fred North cote, who had been spending a day or two at Forest Hill, were standing to gether before the picturesque porch of the long, low farm-house. Fred was a brown-faced, blue-eyed young fellow, strong and athletic. He looked very handsome in his careless backwoods costume of knickerbockers and gaiters, striped blue and white shirt, light loose jacket, and broad-brimmed straw hat shading his manly, frank face, with its soft moustache and bright keen eyes. A black horse of great beauty, deep chested, strong-limbed, was standing beside him, pawing the ground and tossing his handsome head under his master’s caressing hand. Hotspur was an English horse, almost thoroughbred. For fifty miles round there was not his equal for speed or endurance, nor, in Fred’s opinion, for beauty either. Mr Forest was speaking.

‘ Tell your father, Fred, that I can not answer for that timber-merchant Dobson. He asked me to make en quiries about him—and report says he is a slippery customer, and not to be trusted further than one can see him.’

‘ All right, sir—l’ll tell him,’ returned Fred, who was on the point of taking his departure homewards ; ‘ and I will come back on Thursday and tell you the result,’he added, as an after-thought. ‘Very well, lad; we shall.be glad to see you. Bye-the-bye, I hear the prairie has been on firs away by the North Fcrks. Mind you do not get caught. The wind sets right from there, and it is just the weather for fires.’

‘ No fear,’ laughed the young fellow, as he put one foot in. the stirrup ; ‘ I’ve run many a tree with a prairie fire be fore now. Good-bye, sir, till Thursday,’ ‘ Cousin Fred, cousin Fred, I want to go to the Red Ranch—you must wait for me !’ cried a pretty, imperious voice, just as Fred’s horse had made a step forward, and a tall slight girl came running down the verandah steps, her nut-brown hair shining like burnished gold in the sunlight, a bright color in her fair arch face. Fred was down instantly, his face as suming an expression of surprise. Not half an hour before he and Nancie had had high words, and that she should voluntarily seek his escort now was somewhat unaccountable. But most of Miss Nancie’s caprices were unaccount able.

‘lt is too hot, child,’ interposed her father. ‘ Thirty miles in this blazing sun—it would half kill you.’ ‘ Oh, no, it would not !’ urged Nancie, her dark eyes sweet and wilful. ‘lt will not hurt me. Let me go, daddy—do. I can ride Miss Molly, and ’ —with half shy, half mischevious look at the young man— ‘ Fred will take care of me.’ Mr Forest raised one or two more objections, but Nancie—a spoilt pet and darling—overruled them all, and finally, as she always did, got her own way; and in half an hour the two were riding together through the maple woods which clothed the rising ground all about Forest Hill. Nancie and her chestnut mare Miss

Molly were a picture to look at. The girl was a perfect rider, and, in her close-fitting habit of light grey cloth, the only thing suitable for the country, with its touch of scarlet ribbon at the throat, and her broad-brimmed straw hat, looked her very best, and knew it too. ‘ This is an unexpected honor,’ began Fred, as they quitted the shade of the trees, and entered on the dry, crisp grass of the open prairie ‘ Do not flatter yourself,’ returned Miss Nancie, with a toss of her bright young head. * It suited my convenience to come. I expect to find some letters at the settlement which I wish to get for myself.’ ‘ Sixty miles is a long way to ride for letters which I rould have brought with me on Thursday,’ remarked Fred, with a somewhat incredulous smile. ‘I do not suppose they are of such vital con sequence.’ ‘ I have no wish to make you my postman,’ retorted Miss Nancie; * and

* it is hot of the slightest consequence what you suppose or do not suppose.’ ‘ Probably not,’ allowed Fred, trying to look cool. ‘ You take care no one shall have a very exalted opinion of himself or his opinions either where you are, Nancie.’ ‘ Of course,’ retuned Nancie, calmly. ‘So I am glad your penetration has discovered that I came to please my self, not you.’ Fred disdained to answer, except by a most unnecessary cut of the.wbip on Hotspur’s glossy flank. The quarrel between the two had been in progress some days. Arising originally in a most trivial dispute about a rose-bud which Nancie had bestowed on one of her admirers, it had gone on ,from bad to worse, till the two were at daggers drawn. Fred unwisely thought the storm had blown over when Nahcie in sisted on riding with him to the; Red Ranch, but he soon found out his mis take. One or two attempts he made at reconciliation were promptly nipped in the bud. Nancie was as perverse and contradictory as she well coul^t - be, and at last Fred, too, grew resentful, and, ceasing to try to win her with fair words, relapsed into silence in his turn. In this unsocial style the two pressed on mile after mile, till the sun was high

in the heavens and half their journey over.

The track—it could scarcely be called a road—was simply a narrow path beaten through the tall gramma grass and reeds of the prairie, which rose on either hand five or six feet high, all matted and tangled together with wild pea-vines and creepers; it was burnt quite crisp and brown by the heat of the sun, and was as dry as tinder. As they brushed it in passing, the twigs and canes snapped ■at a touch. Right ahead, fifteen miles away, rising blue above the undulations of the prairie, was a steep bluff, the termina tion of a range of low hills, off-shoots of the Rocky Mountains. This bluff was .their landmark and guide, for a mile or two beyond it was the Red Ranch settlement, or Northcotes, as it was often called. Meanwhile the clear blue of the sky was becoming overcast with a sultry leaden haze. The air was intensely hot f and heavy. The wide, treeless, shadowless prairie rolled away on every side in long undulations like the swells of the great ocean. At last Fred grew tired of keeping up even a show of resentment, and began to talk again. * How well Miss Molly -goes to-day!’ * She always does,’ returned Nancie, a shade more graciously than before; she was tired of keeping silent so long. ‘ All the same, I would not back her against Hotspur.’ ‘No, because Hotspur would be beaten,’ asserted Nancie, confidently. ‘Will you try ?’he asked. ‘No, I won’t. It is too hot to race. How can you suggest such a thing in this blazing, sun ?’ ‘ Hot or not, it strikes me it is what you will have to do,’ he remarked coolly. ‘ What do you mean ?’ she said, raising a pair of dark incredulous eyes. ‘ Look there,’ and, raising' his''Whip,

Fred pointed to the right, behind them, whence the leaden-hued cloud was spreading oyer the sky. / What'does that look like?’ . ■. - Nancie turned her eyes in the direc tion indicated, and as she looked her face blanched to an awful whiteness. ‘Fire! The prairie is on fire !’ she cried, fearfully. ‘Oh, Fred, what shall we do?’ Involuntarily she drew, up her horse and gazed anxiously around. The ominous leaden grey haze was sweeping down upon them—already it had crept round behind them. Below the haze a faint line of dull red jwas just visible. * Yes, the prairie is on jfire, sure enough/ the young man said. Don’t be frightened, Nancie ; we must fly for it, that is all. What a mercy-our horses are to be depended on!’ w He had thrown himself off Hotspur ai he spoke, and began to tighten the saddle girths and straps of, both horses —a precaution necessary enough in, > the race before them.

* Shall we be in time ?’ asked Nancie, in a low voice, as he stooped by. her side.

‘Yes,’ he replied, confidently; and she could not see the anxiety on his brown face as he slipped the buckle into its place. In two or three minutes he had re mounted. As he gathered the reins in his hand, he gave a glance at Nancie. She was seated quietly in her saddle, gazing straight before her. ‘ Are you frightened Nancie ?’ he asked anxiously. She turned her dark clear eyes to his. Her face was pale, but there was no sign of weakness about the steady, brave mouth.

‘ No, I am not frightened,’ she answered, gravely, but smiling back in to his anxious face. ‘ But I knpw the danger.’ * And how we can escape,’ he said, reassuringly. ‘ Now for it 1’ In another moment they were flying

along. There was no need to urge Hotspur and Miss Molly—they scented the danger and could scarcely be re strained. The bluff showed blue in the distance, fifteen miles away —they had to gain that before they would ‘be safe ; but between them were fifteen long miles of rough entangled track, and behind them was a waste of hot dry tinder which caught fire with, light ning-like rapidity. The odds against them seemed awful ! (To be continued.)

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881.



-jyj-R 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 |jl H E HEW ZEALAND Clothing Eactory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— ; East Street. ~ W. SPARROW, tea* Branch Manager.



own make. BAXAS r Stock I bo dis- o "'sacrifice, (and also keep a large supply of his M. Neaxas, Ease street. 748 a TXT" ANTED KNOWN Promissory W Note Forms on Sale, at the Guardian Office. TTC7ANTED KNOWN—Every descrip- VV tion of Plain and Fancy Printing executed on the shortest notice, at the Guardian Office, nearly opposite the Rail way Station. WANTED KNOWN—That the “ Grown Lands Guido ” (No. 3), New Zealand Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, and all other Government Publi cations can be obtained by applying at Office of this Paper. WEEKLY PAPER.—THE TARA RUA DISASTER. Alfred Cook, News Agent and Runner, can supply copies of the Weekly Canterbury Times, with the account of the Tararua disaster, and maps of the locality. They can also be had of the Times agents in town. Six pence per Copy. 74Ga TTCTANTED—MRS PAULING begs to VV notify that she has taken that Commodious House in Moore street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Manse, where she will be glad to ACCOMMO DATE PATIENTS requiring surgical or I medical aid. Mrs Pauling has had very considerable experience as Ladies’ Nurse, both at Home and in New Zealand. 528 a fXTANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, VV i n any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a WANTED KNOWN —That Thomas Tayxor’s BAKER’S CART will RUN through the WINSLOW district every Tuesday and Friday. 731 a \\T ANTED EYERBODY to know that VV HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17s 6d (former price, 255), at S. Stephens’, Saddler, Tinwald. 726 a WANTED— A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a WANTED KNOWN —That Miss Verralx is now showing her Winter Stock of Milxinbry, Drapery &c. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, opposite Cookham House. 630 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. Dresden Model Pianos, £46 and £55. Address: Cameron street west. 86a ■TTT'ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.— L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he 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 L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. TTT'ANTED THE GUARDIAN tells V V your Wants for Is., cash. Special Advertisements. John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. All kinds of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. 819 A LL work and no play makes Jack x\_ a dull boy,” consequently, bear ing the truth of this adage in mind, Frederick Clark, OF EAST STREET, HAIRDRESSER, Has just imported a quantity of NOVEL AND AMUSING GAMES wherewith to while away the dragging hours of winter nights. They meet the requirements of both old and young, and include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chess and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes, go-bang, race game, lotto, &c., &c. Those having favorite Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their selections from his large stock of NEWEST NOVELS at their earliest convenience. THE SMOKER’S FRIEND is F. C., and to preserve the right to this title he has just imported the following Brands of TOBACCO :—Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, Ruby Twist, Twist, &c., <fec. CIGARS and CIGARETTES; Havanna and Cuban, Vanity Fair Cigarettes, &c., &c., and a large selection of novelties in PIPE WARE. FLOODED OUT. F.C. was floooded out by the heavy rains on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and the damage done is irreparable. Wbat is he to do ? Sue the Council for damages ? No 1 no ! Sell the damaged goods at the best prices obtainable, and get ANOTHER NEW STOCK. This is what he will do. Those who COME EARLY will therefore secure the BEST BARGAINS. Haircutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon, Montgomery’s Buildings. 720 a Encourage logal enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, Gs &d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookhexxer, East street and Barinv Square. 365 a



rch lends misements. FARMERS AND N THE DISTRICTS RTON AND RAKAIA jhis date our BUSINESS listricts will be under the of Mr William Horne. NINGHAM & CO., Grain Merchants. ~ May 3, 1881. 717 a CE OF REMOVAL. iel Fitzpatrick, BOOTMAKER, to return his sincere thanks to his r 7 and to the general public, for their liberal support accorded to him since commencing business, and by paying every attention, and civility to his customers, he asks their continuance in future. Also that they may find him in future in East street, next Orr and Co. (late Trickett), with a well selected Stock of BOOTS and SHOES of every kind. Please note the Address^®* FAMILY BOOT & SHOE DEPOT, East street (Next Orr and Co). 711 a O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, TOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Sailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con :ertinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, ind Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing, EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 627a* T Hayes’ IMBER YARDS. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a very large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the same at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. Coßa IMPORTANT SALE of DRAUGHT STOCK, WEIGHT CARRY ING HACKS, AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, AT ASHBURTON, ON MONDAY, MAY 91H, 1881. Messrs j. t. ford & go. have received instructions from W. Saunders, Esq., who has let all his farm work by contract, to Sell, at the County Council Yards, Ashburton, the following LIVE AND DEAD STOCK:— 8 Heavy draught mares and geldings 2 „ „ yearlings 7 First-class weight carrying hacks, good hunters 5 D.F. Ploughs, by Reid and Gray and by Duncan 6 Drays, with frames Harrows, seed box, by Duncan Iron Roller (English), 1 reaper and binder, by M'Cormick Shaft, leading and plough harness 5,000 bushels oats All the Horses are in excellent con dition, and the implements are in good order. Farmers who are in want of good plant should not neglect this opportunity. Also, On account of various owners, 500 Fat cross-bred and merino sheep 300 Store Merino ewes 30 Fat Pigs 3 Draught horses 2 Double furrow ploughs 2 Sets of harrows 1 Dray 1 Wood’s reaper and binder 1 Chestnut hack Farm implements &0., &c. , DO NOT FORGET MONDAY, MAY 9th, AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL YARDS. J. T. FORD & CO., Auctioneers.



Next Time.— A* the happy couple were leaving the church, the husband said to the partner of his wedded life, “ Marriage must seem a dreadful thing to you ; Why, you were all of a tremble, and one could hardly hear you say ‘ I will. ’ ” I will have more courage and say it louder next time,” said the blushing bride.



A Turtle by PobT.—ln emptying the letter-box for sorting the contents, the post office clerks in an up-country district in New South Wales, came upon a' rather singular find in the shape of a live turtle, with an address tied or pasted on its bsck. Whether the sender really intended > his curious missive to be forwarded through the post or merely desired to have a joke at the expense of the post office offiflials is not quite clear. Holloway’s Ointment and Pills. - Rheumatism and Rheumatic gout are the most dreaded of all diseases, because their victims know they are safe at no season, and at no age secure. Holloway’s Ointment, after fomenta tion of the painful parts, gives greater, relief than any other application ; but _it must be diligently used to obtain this desirably result. It has been highly commended by subjects of all ages and of both sexes,. for ren dering their attacks less frequent and less vigorous, and for repressing the s*nr perspera tions and soothing the nerves. In many cases, Holloway s Ointment and Pills, have ployed the greatest blessings in rerpqving rheumatism and rheumatic gout which had assailed persons previously and at the prime of lifci^AdvLJ