SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Clio, schooner, from Waitapu. Examiner, barque, from Greymouth. Elizabeth, barque, from Vasse, Western Australia. Adieu, brigantine, from Greymouth. Cleopatra, brigantine, from Greymouth. Sailed. Yesterday. Wakatipu, s.s., for port Chalmers. Penguin, s.s., for the North. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Rhoderick Dhu, from Dun edin ; Kate McGregor, from Timaru ; Arawata, from Sydney. Sailed —Wanaka, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Mabel, barque, from New York, via Port Chalmers ; Kennedy, from Nelson ; Endeavor, from Oamaru. Sailed—Go-Ahead and Kiwi, for Napier ; Grafton for Nelson. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Eliza Frith, brigantine, from Greymouth. Melbourne, Yesterday. Sailed —Te Anau, s.s., for the Bluff.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject to necessary alterations) at under:— Saturday, February 26. For United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Continents of Europe and America, West Indies, Sandwich Islands, Northern Ports of New Zealand, &c., per Wanaka. as follows: —Ordinary letters at 6.30 p.m. ; late fee letters at 7 p.m. ; books and newspapers, at 6 p. >n. ; registered letters, at 6 p.m. ; money orders at 3 p.m. ; guard’s van, 8.30 p.m. train. This mail will be due in London on April 12th. 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 Rakaia, &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 4.20 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, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanni, Elgin, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a. m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 ».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. Frem 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 and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, March 12, Mr, W. J. G. Bluett, at J. T. Ford and Co.’s Salerooms —That valuable landed property, known as Elgin. At 2 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-night, Wednesday, February 23. Somerset Lodge oi Instruction, Masonic Hall, 8 p.m. Friday, February 25. Caledonian Society, Annual Meeting, at Quill’s Commercial Hotel, at 7.30 p.m. Tinwald Races and Sports—Meeting of Committee, Scott’s Hotel, at 8 p.m. Monday, February 28. Anniversary Concert, Loyal Ashburton Lodge, 1.0.0. F., Town Hall, 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a. m. (Express), 435p.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.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

nil orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of -.he advertisement. When no order is giv<=n the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births. Marriages, or Berths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, at a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to bo addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The EniTi >H.

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1881. The Saleyards.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]

Farmers as a class are not men readily driven about by every wind ot doctrine political, theological, or social —they are rather slow in their movements, and not easily stirred up to action, either for or against any im portant change. At the same time when it is demonstrated to them that a decided improvement on their own condition can be made, and they begin to realise the truth of what is shown to them, they usually make for the direc tion indicated ; but, as we said before, they do not readily move at every sound, and it requires a good few bell wethers to lead the whole flock. For a long time the custom with the farmers on these plains was to devote their almost whole attention to cropping, and as a result very little stock, for the area of land under cultivation, was raised. Now, however—thanks to the severe lessons of the past two or three seasons —the idea of cropping only is being steadily worked out, and farmers are learning that stock-raising is a necessary adjunct to profitable cropping. In proof of this we would point to what every one knows who moves about the county—that there is far more stock on the farms of the Ashburton to-day than there was three years ago, and the tendency is to increase. We are tempted to make these remarks by what has this week been brought under our notice in regard to the necessity for more frequent sales at the Ash burton yards. About this time of year farmers begin, to look out for stock for the winter, and as the most of them depend wholly on the monthly sales for their supply the importance of the saleyards will be at once recognised. Several cases have been mentioned to us in which large flocks have been brought into Ashbur ton from great distances, and, owing to the fact of the sales being only held once a month at the Ashburton sale yards, those flocks have either had to wait, be taken home, or be sent to Christchurch, while some have been sold privately without a public test of their value being obtained. Now, we contend that a fortnightly sale should be held at Ashburton, especially at this time of the year, feeling perfectly satis fied that enough business would be done to make the enterprise worth trying. It may be contended that, failing a sale in this town, Tinwald supplies one at her yards. We are aware of this, but it has to be re membered that the railway bridge is a great objection to many flockowners who look upon it as a sort of barrier to business, and decline to take their stock to a market that can only be reached by traversing the viaduct. We expect that the Tinwald people will not look favorably on the proposal for another sale in the month here, which we are now making; but they know full well that the river is a great geo graphical barrier between the two places, and it would not be the first time they have urged it in their own favor. How ever, we are not contending for a fort nightly sale at the Ashburton yards for any other reason than that we think, at this time of the year especially, it is very necessary, and would find business for itself without in any way trenching on the success of the Tinwald yards. It may be adduced that the Christ church auctioneers would not care to come to Ashburton three days in the month. Well, perhaps not. We fancy, though, that they would. But in any case there are local men in plenty to do the work, and they would get their hands full enough. We commend the subject to whom it may concern, believ ing that in referring to it we are giving publicity to what are the wishes of a large number of those most interested in the buying and selling of stock.

Quill’s Consultation. —The Consulta tion on the Dunedin Cup, held by Mr Quill, will be drawn this evening at eight o’clock, in the auction room, Saunders’ Buildings. Insurance. —ln Christchurch the rate for insuring an ordinary detached dwell ing house is 22s per cent. In Wellington 5s is' the price for the same risk. Drunk. —A man named Costella was sent 48 hours’ to the lock-up to-day, by the Mayer, for being drunk, and a woman who had been found intoxicated while in charge of four young children, was let off with a caution. The Wellington Asylum Enquiry.— The Commission appointed to enquire into the charges preferred against the superin tendent of the Wellington Lunatic Asylum sat again yesterday. A number of wit nesses have been examined, and the evi dence so far goes to show great ill-treat ment of the patients.

The Vacancy in the Cabinet.— The Press thia morning says:—“lt is u ; ■ er stood that the vacant seat in the Ca net will probably be filled some time .ext week, but nothing is yet kowr or ‘ven surmised as to the name of the ;ew Minister. ”

The Australians in Auckland. -In their first innings yesterday tue Av- tra lians made 144 against the twenty-t' > of Auckland. Sight was the highest .•>. >rer (57), Spofforth coming next with 30, Boyle getting 24. and Murdoch only 10. The fielding was very fair on the Auckland side, and the Australians got no extras whatever. The Auckland men had lost two wickets for 28 when time was called. Play began to-dayat noon, with Davie:; and Cox at the wickets. After a few min tes’ play, Palmer bowled Davies. 33—3 —6. Cox soon followed, being caught by McDonald, after getting 12 by ck aful play. Mumford, who followed, was clean bowled by Spofforth’s first ball. Lynch succeeded, and made i '.iree singles, when he hit his wicket. 38—f —3. Wood at the other end was ba ting carefully, when he was joined by R bin son. Wood gave Jarvis a chance, - who took it smartly, and stumped him. ’taf ford, who succeeded, was clean bowle . by Palmer’s first ball. Robinson, who con tinued getting runs, was joined by M Jor mick, only to share the fate cf his pre decessor. 55—9 —0. Our Dusky Brethren. — A corre ion dent of the Wellington Pos> doe' not object in the main to Maoris being pas sengers in the tram cars, but record his protest against them when they are; mo rally unclean, noisy, and with n.ore t an a suspicion of waipero. He is prepar; I to meet the charge of being an autocrat but he suggests the setting aside of a special car for those unsavory passengers, se hat ladies may have an opportunity of ti rol ling to and from the opera wi; .out being subject to the discomfort of h. ing the dark-skinned dirty ones fir fe ow passengers. The Tb Aroha Murder. —The Veto Zealand Herald says: —The Russian Fin, John Procotfy, who has been arrest d at Te Aroha under suspicion of having mur deied a young Maori, came out as a railor on board the barque Dunloe, no r in harbor. He deserted the second day ifter her arrival in port, and proceeded i > To Aroha, accompanied by a young man named Moore, a passenger by the «me vessel. We learn from those on 1 >ard that Procoffy was of a sullen nature, and rather quick-tempered. On one occasion the second mate and he had a dispute, resulting in a fight with fists, and the mate administered severe chastisement to him. At that time he promised to use the knife to that officer when opportunity offered, but his comrades, being Britishers, dis couraged any such proceeding.

Lyttelton Harbcr. —An announce ment of a very important character was made by the Hon. E. Richardson in his statement to the Harbor Board, at their meeting yesterday. It was to the effect that he, as Chairman of that body, had received through the Collector of Cus toms, a communication from the Ad miralty asking for certain information as to the facilities obtainable at the Port of Lyttelton for the requirements of the vessels of the Royal Navy, which i ifor rnation he had caused to be furnished. It appears that, when Mr Richard-on w.-s in Wellington, in June last, ho wrote t>> the Colonial Secretary and Minister of Marine asking them to inform the Admiralty and the officers in command of the fleet on the Australian station, of the facilities which could be afforded for the accommodation of her Majesty’s ships at Lyttelton. The result of these repre sentations is now seen in the communica tion alluded to above, which shows nhat the Admiralty are not insensible to the advantages which the harbor of Lyttelton will soon be in a position to offer as a station for their vessels. The Australians in Nelson. —The “ travelling cricketers ” do not appear to have been popular in Nelson. The for lowing is clipped from the Colonist;—“ At the conclusion of the game Mr Lucre again had his fine turn-out ready for our visitors, and on their taking their seats the Nelson men gave them three hearty but undeserved cheers, for only one (Mr Boyle) recognised the compliment in any way, unless an ill-tempered scowl can be called so doing. They were again cheered on their departure from the wharf, whither they were also conveyed by Mr Lucre, but there was the same ill-bred conduct, and a feeling akin to relief was experienced when the men had really left. Individual members of the team might possibly improve on acquaintance, and it may be that one or two are not in reality so boorish as they appeared. It is, how ever, generally supposed that travel gives polish ; but if it has doue so with several of the Australian team, we can only de plore their original roughness. We were led to consider the players as gentlemen when they went home, but now—well, they have become professionals in the money-making sense, but in another we have met better professionals. ” The Accident to Natator.—Regard ing the accident to Mr H. P. Lance’s racehorse, Natator, referred to in our sporting intelligence yesterday, the Morning Herald says : —“ We are sorry to say that the railway authorities cannot be complimented upon the arrangements made, or rather the want of arrangements, for the reception of the northern race horses last evening. Ten horses came in four trucks. They were taken out of the trucks at the horse station in the dark. There was neither lamp nor lantern ready, and the only light afforded was that of a few wax matches. The result was that, in the confusion which arose in the dark ness, Natator got away and went over two or three great pieces of bluestone. Some of those who had charge of the horses were very outspoken on the subject of want of proper accommodation, and com plained bitterly of the want of forethought of the railway officials. ‘ They get our money,’ said he, ‘ and that’s all they care for.’ Such a complaint as that cannot he applied with justice to the Railway De partment generally, but there was cer tainly foundation for it in the instance which occurred last night. It was not till nearly all the horses had been got out that a lantern arrived. ” Reckless Borrowing.— On this sub ject the Wanganui Chronicle, writing on the recent election of the Harbor Board there, makes the following sensible re marks :—The majority which the ticket secured furnishes another proof that the hankering after borrowed money for public works, without due consideration of probable results, is still very strong in Wanganui. The retribution in the shape of enormously increased rates and taxes has not yet come home with sufficient force to the minds of the people. Perhaps they are not slower in learning the lesson than men in other parts of the colony. Yet the events of the past two or three years ought to have taught them wisdom. A very large proportion of the distress which has prevailed, and has not yet passed away, is owing to reckless public expenditure of an unremunerative charac ter. The money is very nice so long as it lasts, but unless, when the final shilling has been parted with, the works not only pay interest, but beyond that become, a positive source of wealth to the com munity, the loan had better not have been contracted—the game has not been worth the candle—and those who suffer most, those who come in many instances to want the actual necessaries of life, are the working classes, who, at all events in New Zealand, have hitherto shown then selves incapable of resisting the tempta tion of the present advantages to be derived from an extravagant public expen diture.

The Missing Girl. —The body of the little girl, Emily Jane Moore, who was missed from her home on February 12th, was found in the River Avon to-day. New Zealand Cement. —Dr. Munro, the discoverer of the process for manufac turing cement from the Taranaki iron sand, has sent to Wellington a block of the cement. This block is lOin long, 6in wide, and lin thick, and weighs 41bs lOozs. It is very close, and appears to be as hard as granite. The matter is being taken in hand by an influential Welling ton citizen, and the invention will doubt less soon be brought fully under the notice of the public. Should the dis covery prove as valuable as the inventor expects it to be, New Zealand cement will soon crush the imported article completely out of the market.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) Hostilities. London, Feb. 21. News to hand from the West Coast of Africa announces that the Ashantees have collected their army and com menced an advance on Sierra Leone, with a view of prosecuting hostilities against ihe colony. Mr. Parnell. Mr. Parnell addressed a meeting at Clare to-day, and exhorted his audience to adhere firmly to the programme of action which had been laid down by the League. The Trouble at the Cape. In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Gladstone, replying to a question, made a statement in which he con firmed the previously announced fact that negotiations had been made through the President of the Orange Free State to bring about, if possible, an honorable understanding with the Boers of the Transvaal. Capetown, Feb. 21. Telegrams from Natal state that Sir Evelyn Wood left Pietermaritzburg with a large body of reinforcements, and made a brilliant reconnaissance in force through the Ingogo district, where the encounters with the Boers have lately taken place. News has been received from Blom foentein that the Parliament of the Orange Free State has passed a resolu tion authorising the passage of British troops through the State from Basuto land into the Transvaal. Monetary and Commercial. Consols remain at Adelaide and New Zealand breadstuff's are un changed at last quotations, viz. : Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 495.; New Zealand, ex ship, 445.; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 335. Australian tallow—Best beef, quoted at 345. ; best mutton, at 375. 6d. The Wool Sales. At the wool sales to-day 7,909 bales were catalogued, making a total of 45,800 bales offered since the opening. The tone of to-day’s auction was quiet. The ’Frisco Mail. The homeward Australian and New Zealand mails, via San Francisco, were delivered to-day. The Coercion Bill. In the House of Commons to-day, the consideration of the Irish Coercion Bill, in committee of the whole was concluded, and the Bill was reported to the House. The third reading of the measure is expected to be com pleted without delay.

The Turko-Greek Difficulty. Athens, Feb. 21. Notwithstanding the more moderate tone of feeling in Greece in regard to the frontier question, the Greek Go vernment continues to make active preparations for war, and as a further augumentation of the available forces, the reserves have been called out and are beeing prepared for active service. Constantinople, Feb. 21. In accordance with an understand ing come to, the Ambassadors of the Powers in this city have commenced their pourparler with a view to bring about a settlement of the Turko-Greek difficulty.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) The Te Aroha Murder. Grahamsiown, To day. Procoffy, the man accused of commit ting the Te Aroha murder, is looking well. He eats well, and is not at all down-cast. Great indignation has been caused by the Resident Magistrate refus ing him an interpreter to confer with Mr Brassey, his solicitor. The action of the R.M. is considered arbitrary in the ex treme, and the Russian Consul in Auck land has been telegraphed to and acquainted with Mr Kenrick’s refusal of the application for an interpreter. It is considered here to be unfair to the prisoner that Mr Kenrick, who was coroner at the inquest on the body of the murdered man, should sit as R.M. on the case, which comes on to-morrow. Con siderable sympathy is felt for the accused. Two Months. Wellington, To-day. Styles for assaulting the ex-magistrate, yesterday, was sentenced to two months’ hard labor. Fire. i Palmerston North, To-day. A fire broke out about two o’clock this morning in a shop and dwelling in Broad street, the property of a man named Goodison. The building was totally destroyed. Young Goodison is one of the original prospectors of the Fitzherbert reef, and as the premises were unoccupied, they were used last night for the purpose of burning some quartz. Goodison left at ten o’clock, when all appeared to be right. The premises were insured in the South Brittish for LIOO. Quashed. Dunedin, To-day. His Honor Judge Ward quashed the conviction of Pnilip M‘Car thy, for illicit distillation at Waihemo.

SPORTING.

HAWKE’S BAY RACES. [By Telegraph.] Napier, Yesterday. The following acceptances have been received : Napier Handicap. —Foul Play, Na tator, Volunteer, Sir Modred, Rand wick, Merlin, Hailstorm, Soukar, King Quail, On Dit, Grand Duchess Dane bury, Badsworth, Mavis, Miss Domett, Moanatiri, Dan, and My Dream. Railway Stakes. Natator, Sir Modred, Volunteer, Rand wick, Soukar, Hilarious, Grand Duchess, On Dit, Danebury, Merlin (chestnut), Loch Lomond, Dan, Moanatiri, Miss Domett, Mavis, Firefly, My Dream, Wood pecker, and Prim. Hurdle Race. —Lonehand, Agent, Loch Lomond, Te Whitemarama, Otawa, Matau, Harkaway, Angler, Rowenaha, Ada, and Pope.

THE DUNEDIN MEETING.

The Setting Market. Dunedin, To-day. There is little variation in the betting. Sir Modred yesterday morning receded to 6 to 4, and some hedging money was laid off at 2 to 1, but last night he was firm again at level money. The quota tions for the Cup are : Even agst. Sir Modred 4 to 1 On Dit 6 1 Randwick 6 1 Sylvanus 8 1 Fishhook 8 1 Volunteer 100—10 The Governor 100 4 p.m. The betting is unchanged. Tips by “Pegasus." Dunedin, To-day, 4 p.m. The following aro “ Pegasus’ ” tips for the first day’s racing : The Cup. SIR MODRED ON DIT Mason’s elected. Hurdle Race. CLARENCE or THE AGENT Champagne Stakes. IDALIUM AMULET SOMNUS Publicans’ Handicap. N A.TATOR HILARIOUS LUNA Maiden Plate. SIR GARNETT MORPHEUS SOUTHLAND RACES. Invercargill, To-day. The following entries were received last night for the forthcoming races : Southland Cup. —Volunteer, Syl vanus, Sir Modred, Hilarious, Luna, Atlantic. Hurdle Race. —Will if I Can, Agent, Parnell. Southland Jockey Club Handi cap.—Atlantic, Sylvanus, Volunteer, Sir Modred, Hilarious, Luna. Tradesmens’ Handicap. —Nautilus, Sylvanus, Volunteer, Morpheus, Sir Modred, Hilarious, Luna, Wee Lad, and Sterling.

The Wellington Asylum.

Grave charges have been made against the management of the Wel lington Lunatic Asylum, and an inquiry is now being made into them. Last Friday Mr Henry Anderson, lately editor of the Wellington Chtontcle was examined, and his evidence is a fair specimen of what is being given by the witnesses against the institution. The following is the Post's report of Mr Anderson’s evidence : Henry Anderson, journalist, said—l have a nephew in the Asylum. He has been there 2\ years. Formerly I was in the habit of visiting him frequently. He is a perfect idiot. I remember visiting the Asylum on one occasion. Whitelaw said my nephew was not in a fit condition to be seen. I insisted on seeing him. My nephew was in a horrible condition. His eyes were bunged up, and his cheeks and other parts of the face were a mass of bruises and extravasated blood. His appearance, in short, reminded me of that of a principal who had been beaten in a prize-fight of thirty rounds. I asked, “ How the devil did my nephew get that 1” Whitelaw explained that the poor iellow had walked up and down the cor ridor in his paroxysms, and had knocked his head up against the wall and door posts. I retorted, “That cannot be." The bloodshot condition of the eyes sug gested a good “pounding.” Then they brought a powerful lunatic of 14 stone, and got him to tell me that he and my nephew had been fighting. My nephew was no more able to offer resistance than a book; he was utterly helpless, and un able to communicate with the outer world. Being the editor of a newspaper at the time, I could have made things unpleasant for the authorities; but on considering the matter I found I was unable to prove any thing, so remained silent, so far as the was concerned. Cross-exa mined—Traces of the bruises were visible for three or four weeks. My nephew must have got an awful hammering. I consider he must have been most damnably ill treated. Whitelaw seemed sorry for the fellow’s appearance. For myself, lam an expert in the way of inflicting bruises, but I could not have painted a man’s face like that unless I had him under operation for several minutes.

Paved with Gold.

Perhaps the literal truth of the old saying that London streets are paved with gold was never better illustrated than by the account of the futile efforts of the members of Lloyds’ to obtain a new site for the new buildings which that corporation propose to erect. Finding their present accommodation insufficient, the underwriters instructed a special committee of their number to ascertain on what terms 33,000 super ficial feet of land in the north-west corner of the present site of Leadeohall Market, comprising the angle of Grace church street and Leadenhall street, might be purchased. Their report is more cheerful reading to those who own land in London than to the less fortunate people who are compelled by the exigencies of business to buy it. Lloyds’ committee, in pursuance of their commission, addressed themselves to the City Lands Committee, who are the official trustees of the property in question, and thereupon ensued a lively controversy between the underwriters and the councilmen, each party wishing the other to “ make a price.” In the end the committee of Lloyds’ offered L 200,000 for the freehold of 33,000 feet. This being declined they raised their bid to L 247,00o —a sum equiva lent to L 7 1 os. per square foot. But even this offer was declined, the City Lands Committee at the same time in forming the committee of Lloyds’ that they valued the ground in question at “about L 350,000,” and had, moreover, determined to accept a proposal from the present tenants to take it on a building lease. Under the circum stances the negotiations ended, and the underwriters are still in search for a site within a reasonable distance of the Bank of England, which can be bought for something less than ten guineas the square foot

A Russian Sensation.

The fashionable world of South Russia is looking forward to a pretty piece of gossip this month. Prince Nickoshadze, one of the gayest young officers Of the Czarowitz’s entourage , has charged Mademoiselle Proskovaya, a colonel’s daughter, with stealing 6,000,000 francs in French securities. Mademoiselle has retorted that the money was given to her by the prince. The Criminal Court at Yalta will decide the question. The lady is a golden haired beauty of 20, with such a beauti ful face and figure that every courtier at Livadia is madly in love with her. If the prince persists in the action he will have to fight a score of duels, and will certainly lose the friendship ot the Czarowitz, who has already shown his disgust at the conduct of the Lothario, and ordered him “to let the poor girl alone.”

Degrading Diversion.

We do not hesitate (says the Satur day Review) to pronounce the exhibi tion of what is termed professional pedestrianism more, and not less, de grading than prize-fighting, which had at least a very definite reference to the practical affairs of life, and the disuse of which, though it has no doubt stopped a great source of blackguardism and rascality, has perhaps exercised in some respects an unfavorable influence on the behavior and disposition of Englishmen. It was useful to know how to use your fists upon occasion, and the use of them was not the worst way of settling quarrels. It is not use ful, and cannot be useful under any conceivable circumstances, to be able to trot or stumble so many hundred miles in a given time on a prepared path, with elaborately given stimulants, restoratives and appliances of all kinds ready to hand. All this is as obvious and as trite as the performances them selves are discreditable, but while the facts are repeated it is necessary to repeat the comment.

The Handsomest Woman in the World.

The wife of William Morris, the poet, can give points to Mrs. Langtry and the rest of the professional beauties, if a correspondent of the Inter-Ocean is to be trusted : —“ She is a mysterious, Egyptain-looking woman, with great sad eyes, and Oriental complexion, burning scarlet lips, and the expression of ineffable remoteness and vagueness that one in imagination gives to the sphynx. The young lady’s face was just one of the inexpressively melancholy ones that the pre-Raphaelites adore — just the type of young women coming down the * golden stairs ’ in Burne Jones’ picture at the Grosvenor Gallery this year —and Morris married her. Not long ago this lady wore at ar. evening party a robe of the sheeniest, filmiest white muslin, fine enough to be drawn through a ring. The petticoat under it must have been the same, for the folds at the robe clung to her body as if cut by the finest chisel. At the waist this thin robe was confined by a long supple chain in the form of a serpent, which, after writhing around her body, dropped its jeweled head by her left side, where its diamond eyes glittered and burned like fire. Egyptian bracelets and necklace adorned her arms and neck, and an Egyptian masque gathered and held the folds of the robe at the throat. Her black hair was one thick mass of short curls, and lay close down to her eyes, crept in and out by another golden serpent with jewelled scales and burning eyes. One would have said she was a Cleopatra, who had turned her asps into gold and jewels, and come to life to dazzle a bar barian world.”

Mr. Moody on Church Fairs and Sun day Singing.

At a Christian conference in San Francisco, held under the auspices ot Messrs. Moody and Sankey, the ques tions answered below were taken from the “ question drawer Q. —Do church fairs and suppers help the finances of the church ? A. —ln the long run they don’t; they hurt them. I never knew a church fair in my life that someone didn’t get get his feelings hurt. I believe they grieve the most spiritual of every church, and you cannot afford to grieve those who have the most power with God. They bring in a profane element. Men of the world —scoffers—will tell you they have paid fifty cents to help the church. They have probably paid fifty cents for an oyster-stew that cost the church forty cents and the Church of God has made ten cents on the operation. I think it is very small business. Then the way they are conducted is very objection able. The idea that you can go around to the sanctuary, and by giving twenty five cents vote who is the handsomest lady in town ! And this in the house of God ! I tell you we have gone so far in this respect that we don’t know where we are. In one place I remem ber its being given out that any man might go in and kiss the handsomest woman there for twenty-cents. And yet you wonder that the world scoffs at the church ! How degrading it is. I think we had better rely upon God and the legitimate means for our finances than have drinking, licentious, ungodly men brought to our aid and company in this way. I say let us set our faces like a flint against all these things. Q. —How can we get our church people to sing? A. —Sing yourselves. Singing is catching. Mr. Sankey never likes me to sing near him, because I don’t know one tune from another, and he says I put him out. But when the whole crowd begins to sing I sing out something. I sing the best I can, and that’s all anybody can do. Charles Wesley’s hymns waked up the world. Methodism sang its way around the world in the first half of this century. When a church gets cold they don’t want to sing, and they hire half a dozen opera singers to go up in the organ loft and praise God for them. I pity a church that never sings. The first impulse of a young convert is to sing God’s praises. No man can praise God for me. I believe we want grand con gregational singing. There are a few who want the artistic singing. I would

let them have two or three hymriis a day, but let us also have congregational singing. Q. —Can unbelievers lead in the praise of God ? A. —I don’t believe they can. How are they going to praise Him whom they don’t love. There is not much praise in an unbelieving heart.

Near the North Pole.

Lieutenant SchwEtka presented the scientific features of his recent expedi tion to the Arctic region before the Academy of Sciences, in New York, November ist: —Beginning with the use of alcohol, Lieutenant Schwatka emphasises the fact that not a drop of ardent spirit of any kind was used in his sled journey of 3,251 miles. In short journeys and hunting expeditions , where there was ample room for bag gage it was considered that alcohol might be carried, and, if used in mode ration, would raise the temperature of. the body slightly, and tend, as else where, to increased comfort. But on long journeys ardent spirits could not be carried in bulk without displacing other indispensable articles. Alcohol was not regarded as necessary and was not considered a good healing agent. The injurious effects of intense cold, however, had sometimes been wrongly ascribed to the use of liquor. On shipboard the general use of alcoholic stimulants was considered bad, and only allowable when every possible chance of scurvy was removed by the character of the food. In regard to the temperature, Lieutenant Schwatka said that his party had encountered the most intense cold ever recorded by white men—71 degrees Fahr., or 103 degrees below freezing point. On that day the camp was moved ten miles, and nounusualinconvenience was felt. It was not the intensity of the cold that was unpleasant. All suffering was caused by the direction and violence of the wind. With the thermometer at 60 degrees Fahr., no especial trouble was met with, but at a temperature of 15 degrees higher, with a wind blowing straight in the faces of the men, frost bites and great suffering were common. The white men would freeze their noses or the exposed portion of their cheeks. The coldest days were perfectly calm ; on the warmer days, with exception of a few days in midsummer, the wind blew constantly. But it was considered that, to men clad in warm clothing, temperature was not material, and the longest journeys could be undertaken without fear. When the thermometer sank to 71 degrees Fahr. the skies were of a leaden hue, varied with brownish red near the sun. Clouds of vapor rolled from everything animal. When the expedition stopped it was enveloped in steam. Musk oxen and deer could be detected at a distance of five or six miles by the vapor about them, and the Esquimaux claimed to be able to distinguish the kinds of animals by peculiarities in this vapor. Water poured on ice caused a crackling like minature fire-crackers, and the surface of sheets of ice was grey and opaque from the unequal expansion. The sound of the runners was like that caused by a resined bow or tuning-fork, and, heard at a distance, resembled an yEolean harp. In the most extreme cold the acclimatisation of the white men proved as perfect as that of the natives. At a very low temperature the beard became a block of ice, and the lips and nostrils were nearly glued together. Exercise, though important, was not so essential as has been stated, there never being a necessity for exer cising to the point of fatigue. For Arctic explorers a strong circulation and a tendency not to perspire pro fusely are desirable. The common theories regarding the danger of using snow were at variance with Lieutenant Schwatka’s experience. At 30 degrees Fahrenheit the snow freezes temporarily the mucous membrane of the mouth, causing a burning sensation. If this be done often, and rapidly repeated, it is highly injurious ; but snow and ice taken in moderation at long intervals are of great service in quenching thirst. Drowsiness was not experienced in connection with great cold, and it was considered as resulting usually from a sudden change from ship-board to out of-door life, or from an insufficient acclimatisation. Near - sightedness, though attended with some discomforts, gave certain important advantages. The glasses became readily covered with congealed moisture from the heat, but with the squinting common to near sighted persons were an efficient protection against the glare of the sun upon the snow. No one who was near-sighted suffered from snow-blind ness, while the Esquimaux were troubled with this more than the white men. They also suffered from chronic op thalmia and the deposits caused by cateracts. In very cold weather the huts were buried two or three feet in the snow. It was advisable to change these huts as often as possible, because the constant freezing and thawing make them a mass of translucent ice, and ex halations from the breath, bodies, and fires become congealed to the walls, continually falling off and causing a little snow storm in the interior. The effect produced by the darkness of the long Arctic night upon human beings was considered to be much more real than the discomforts occasioned by lonliness and home sickness. Accord ing to physicians, it has been found that darkness decreases the respiratory movements in proportion to its in tensity. It was therefore held that in the long dark Arctic winter the respira tory movements would become much retarded, and a consequent injurious effect would be exerted, the circluation being slow and the blood imperfectly oxidized. To prevent this crews should be exposed as much as possible to the light.

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBKUAEY 23, 1881.



Special Advertisements. The best value FOB. READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Money. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. O. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Eaircntting, Shaving and Shampooing. BAST STREET, ASHBURTON. ’ - 520* ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS Help on* another itTANTBD KNOWN—That Visiting yV , Cards, plain or mourning, can be obtained printed in various styles, at the * ( Guardian” office, opposite the Railway Station. fIiHE GUARDIAN is on every Tea Table in Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Blue, and Hand - made Notepapers ; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Pens GTlott’s, Mitchell’s, Brandauer and Co.’s Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black. Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, &c. Workboxes, Albums, Books, &c. h. m. Tones, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. STANDARD FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. This Company is prepared to TAKE RISKS on ALL KINDS of PRO PERTY, -'ncluding Grain Risks, &c., at current ral es, A. R. MARKHAM & CO., Agents, 162 a Chertaey.



Not to be Done. —As the funeral of a celebrated divine, long identified with the Orange party in the north of Ireland, was passing the principal thoroughfare of the chief town in that part of the country, one of the “brotherhood," taking a hand at Pat, says, “Now, Paddy, did you ever see a funeral like that among any of your people?” “Pshaw,” said Paddy, “it’s nothing to a funeral I saw in Donegal. It was Father so-and-so’s funeral. _ Why, man, the last carriage did not arrive till two days after the man was buried”.



Holloway’s Pills. —The extraordinary change of temperature prevailing in our climate is extremely trying to the delicate-chested, the weak and nervous. All troubled by these afflictions should resolve to resort to the strengthening and regulating medicine immedi ately they perceive in themselves discomfort of that feeling of restlessness which betokens dis ordered digestion and defective secretion of bile. One of Holloway’s Pills taken about noon and followed at bed-time by a dose suffi ciently large to act apperiently will speedily recruit the faulty functions, and restore order throughout the whole system. A treatment so safe in operation and so successful in result should be known and practised when, from cold and sundry other causes, disease is at tempting to gain a vexatious footing.— Advt,



'i Wanted. RACING CLUB. APPLICATIONS for the cilice of SECRETARY, addressed to the Com mittee, Box 12, Ashburton, will be re ceived up to 28th instant. Particulars of duties and salary may bo obtained on ap plication to the undersigned. S. SAUNDERS, 138 a Secretary, pro tern. ANTED—Three SHEARERS. Apply, JoimflßUMflidflibeaeh. r 161 a TTTANTED to take charge of, one or VV two CHILDREN: To anypn e with children wishing to takeia titoanoA this would afford an opportunity fbr doinjh so. A comfortable home moderaw terms. Apply, by. letter,’ to “ A.B.»’* Office of this Paper. i 129 b WANTED TO SELL —Twenty-five SECTIONS, Wakanul! Road. Apply to Patching, Teut-ma*ker, Bast Street. 899 WANTED KNOWN, —That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings,. East street, Ash burton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.ni. till 5 p.m. Portraits takeh 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 Brinsinead, £4o; 1 ditto Mornington, £4O ; 1 Cottage, Chal den and Hodgson, -£3B ;<< fiowV £99 ')' Broadwood, £26 ; also, American Organ, 6 stops, £3O. Address: Cameron st. west. 86a WANTED KNOWN—tfhe /Labosst and Best Stock of SaWceky is to be found at the shop of, S. STEf'HENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars front 135.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plough Back-bands. 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 605.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers wfSU make a great saving by buying pf S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. ; - ; a WANTED KNOWN. Ashburton REGISTRY OFFIC® for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. AndkewbS begs to inform the public of /Aalburton and surrounding districts that lie has opened .the above. Male and 1 Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are ill want of situations, are requested to apply to L. P. Andebwbs, Labor Agent. Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 527



WANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister's wife 'write* that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mendink has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer,, .coiner of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church; Price— £9 los. * ~ 700 WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE begs to infotni the , public that he has taken the \bove Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Baggies and saddle horses on* hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 Meetings. SOMERSET LODGE —A (LODGE of INSTRUCTION will bo held THIS (■Wednesday) EVENING, at 8 o’clock, in the Somerset Masonic Hall.—Gao. F, Henry, Hon. Sec. , sl64* TINWALD RACES AND ATHLETIC SPORTS. A MEETING of the COMMITTEE, and persons interested, will be held at Scott’s Hotel on FRIDAY Evening next, the 25th instant, at 8 p m. > C. JEPHSON, * 153 a Hon. Sec.



Amusements. J o.' O. F., M. U. K)YAL ASHBURTON LODGE, N«h 6003. GRAND ANNIVERSARY Concert Of Vocal and Instrumental Music* Dances, and Comic Sketches, in the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, ON MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 2& ■ The Loyal Ashburton Lodge, No. 6003, purpose celebrating their Anniversary with a Concert on the above date, when ah ex* cellent programme will be presented. A BALL will take place immediately after the Concert. Doors open at half-past seven $ concert at eight prompt JOSHUA TUCKER, N.O. 76a R. MINNIS, Secretary. Funeral Notices. , » JIUNERAL NOTIfB. The Friends of Mr. John Tisbg are respectfully informed that the FUNERAL of his late WIFE will leave the Hospital at three o’clock on THURSDA Y next. GEO. PARKIN, 157 a : ' ' ’ . ' Undertaker. To Let. TO LET, a well-finished HOUSE of Four Rooms, on East Town Belt Apply, .Mitchell and Tubnwc - SABa mO LET, with a purchasing clause,l64 JL acres of TUSSOCK LAND (broken up ready for cross ploughing) on the Cold* stream run, about seven miles from, the Hinds Station. Apply to Robxht Gruroa, at Mr. H. Smith's Steam Turning, Carving, and Chair Works, Tuam street, opposite Montgomery’s, Christchurch. ~ r ■ 137 a Lost. £1 Keward. LOST, in Trevorton. a POCKET dfrSE of SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. Apply, Office of this Paper. . . 116 a Gazette in Bankruptcy. Y. AsnVimTONldvAiipiAN s a Gazette for all notices under the '■ : • " r •*» } ■ lebtdrs and Creditors Ac*t FUN AND FARCE I Odd-fellows' Concert