SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. * To-day. Te Ahau, 8.5., from Melbourne, via the South. Otaki, ship, from London. Sailed. Yesterday. Taiaroa, s.s., for Wellington and Northern Ports. Oreti, s.s., for {Timaru, Oamani, and Dunedin. Seabird, brigantine, for Pelorus Sound. Stella, 0.G.5., for Wellington. Maud Graham, schooner, for Waitara. Arrival of the Otaki. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s ship Otaki, from London, arrived at Lyttelton this morning, 105 days out. One pafflenger and the second steward died of consumption during the voyage. On .Dec- 26th and 27th a furious gale was experienced, during which a heavy sea was shipped, flooding the cabins to a depth of four-or- five feet. The captain s cabin was'completely wrecked, and most of the contents lost, including charts, books, Ac. Captain Davitt, the second officer, and an apprentice, while in the- poop, had a very narrow escape of being washed overboard. The captain was severly bruised and cut. The-carpenter was also much injured. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. The City of Sydney arrived from Sydney, and and sailed this afternoon for San Francisco. Dunedin, To-day. At the Heads—Auckland, ship, from London. Melbourne, Yesterday. The departure of the Tararua for New Zealand has been postponed until Satur day next.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places ( subiect to necessary alterations) as under Thursday, January 6. For Northern ports, avid Australian Colonies*: per Rotorua, at 1.40 p.m.; late fee letters, 2 p.m. ; guard’s van, 2.30 p.m. train.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

' AUCTION SALES. Saturday, January 8. Mr. T. Bullock,, at his rooms, East street —Freehold and Leasehold Property. Two o’clock. Mr. T. Bullock—Usual Weekly Sale. Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-morrow, Thursday, January G. Somerset; Lodge—-Installation of Officers, Masonic Hall, 7.p.m. Mount. Somors Road Board Annual Meeting of ; Ratepayers, Schoolhouse, Mount Somers, at 12 noon. Wakauui Road District—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, at the office of the Agri cultural and Pastoral Association Show Grounds, at 12 noon. Monday, January 10.

Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, February 2. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock.

The Ashburton Guardian. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. ; - ' \lssued at. 5 p.m.]

Mb. Peoctoe.-— This gentleman was a passenger per ' the P.M.s.s. City- of Sydney,;, which loft Auckland for San Francisco, yesterday. Mbssesl Quiix and Co.’s Sale.—Parti culars of Messrs. Quill and Co.’s weekly . sale will be found in our advertising column’s to-day. The San Feancisco Maid. —The City of New York, with the London mails of (he 2nd nit., left San Francisco for Auck . land on the 21st, this being one day later '' - than the >time-table sailing date. The Zealandia, with the December colonial snails, arrived at San Francisco on the , '2Bth uH.j_ftwo.days in advance of contract j;' time. - Jkqctssx on the Late Mr. Kekexson.— K Jkn inquiry was held yesterday at the •p Tfogni+ftl'-Christchurch, touching the death 'of-W. Kerrison, who was shot at Temple ton, by- Wi Gibson, on Christmas 'clay. The jury,after hearing the evidence, "and retiring for a short time, returned a Jrordict of “ Wilful murder against Waiter ' QSb*m.”

Shearing. —The ewe shearing will com mence at Coldstream on Tuesday next. Farmers’ Co-operation. —The farmers in the North Otago district are agitating for co-operation, and a meeting was held yesterday at Otepopo, and a club formed for the purpose of taking combined action in matters affecting their interests. The Winslow Races.— ln our report of the Hurdle Race at Winslow an error inadvertently crept into our columns with respect to the running of Lagmhor. He is described there as having baulked at the fourth hurdle, and being out of the race thereafter. Maid of the Mill was the one who failed at this hurdle, and Lagmhor ran a good horse throughout with the winner, Lonehand, and gave the old horse all he could do to win. A Narrow Escape. —While the express train from the South was near Rollestbn last night, a young man, giving his name as Willie Hopkins, who had evidently been drinking pretty freely, having, as he said, just come from the West Coast, thinking the platform of the cairiage a suitable place to turn a somersault, in humble imitation of one of the acrobats belonging to Cole’s circus, was caught by two of his fellow passengers just as he was disappearing over the steps, and saved from what looked like a job for the Coroner.

Ashburton Fire Brigade. —The usual monthly meeting of the Brigade was held last night, at which there was a good muster of the men. As the annual meet ing takes place in February, it was thought advisable to nominate officers for the ensuing year, and Fireman Dolman proposed, and Fireman Bland seconded — “ That the present officers be re-elected.” Captain Wilkie proposed, and Secretary Adams seconded Dolman he Captain.” / fter considerable discussion, the election was postponed till the next meeting. It was resolved that the Brigade join the United Fire Brigade Association, and if possible that the Cap tain or one of the members attend the conference to be held in Wellington on January 24th. A new member was elected, and the meeting adjourned. Newland School. —A meeting of the Committee washeld in theNewland School on Monday evening last. Present—Mr. Mogson (in the chair), Messrs. Margetts, Lloyd, Watkins, and Allan. The Chair man laid before the meeting the corres pondence from the Education Board re salaries, returns of school furniture and apparatus, &c. The Master’s report, which showed an increase of six in daily average attendance over that of the pre vious quarter, was read, and considered satisfactory. A complaint having been made by Mr. Hampton about his children’s progress at school at the previous meeting, and postponed to allow him to attend per sonally, was further postponed, owing to his failing to attend. The Chairman was authorised to write to the Education Board for maps of North and South America, and other things required by the master. On the question of holidays, it was resolved—“ That the school break up fer six weeks on 21st instant; to re open on 7th March.” After a vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting ad journed to 31st instant.

The Settlement of the Waimate Plains. —The purchasers of the land on the Waimate Plains (says the Hawera Star) do not appear to care much for the idle threats of the natives, and apparently pay little heed to the hundred and one rumors floating about. Mr, Muir, of Auckland, has built his house, and slept in it. Mr. Hastie, another purchaser from Auckland, is building, and he intends taking a family of seven children on to his holding. Mr. Box has been living on the Plains for some time, near a stream to which he has given the pretty title of “Rosie Creek.” There is also a two roomed cottage at Okaiawa, but we were unable to ascertain the name of the occupant. Mr. York, Mr. Rainie, and others are busily at work. In less than twelve months, if all goes well, there will be several homesteads in the place so long covered with fern. Supreme Court Christchurch. —At this court yesterday, in addition to the cases reported by telegraph in our yester day’s impression, the following were dis posed of : —H. F. Evans charged with indecent assault, received four years penal servitude, the judge regretting that he could not order him to be publicly' flogged. The jury, in the case of Pouhipi Waikena, for horse stealing, brought in a verdict of “ Not guilty,” on the ground of insanity, and his Honor ordered the prisoner to be detained in Addington gaol during the pleasure of the Colonial Sec retary- J. C. Nilligan, charged with making a false declaration, was brought up for sentence, and got six months’ hard labor. The Grand Jury threw out the bill in the case of William Flutey, charged with forgery. This concluded the crimi nal business, with the exception of the Chatham Island murder case, which was beard to-day, and, as will be seen from a telegram in another column, the accused has been found guilty and sentenced to death.

A Public Benefactor. —Sir Henry Bessemer, who was recently dined by the London Common Council, and presented with the freedom of the city, is one of the benefactors of the age, having rendered the production of steel possible at 80dol. a ton instead of 250d015., and in a space of twenty minutes instead of three weeks, and in quantities of twenty tons at a time instead of five or six hundredweight. He has revolutionised the whole application of iron to the arts. In England the steel trade has trebled during the present year.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) , New Zealand Loans. London, Jan. 1. Five per cent New Zealand 10-40 Loan, 104; Five per cent. New Zea land 1889 Loan, 108 y 2 \ Four-and-a half per cent. New Zealand 1879-1904 Loan, 98^. They Can’t Agree. The Great Powers still continue to urge Turkey and Greece to agree to European arbitration on the frontier question, but a favorable result is not, so far, expected to be arrived at. The Fenians Again, London, Jan. 4. Owing to the tumor of an intended Fenian raid on the armories of the Volunteer Corps in England, the authorities at the War Office have ordered precautions to be taken at the headquarters of the various corps with a view to prevent the success of any attack on the armories. A Torpedo on a Man-of-War. A report has gained general cur rency here to-day that a torpedo has been found to have been placed under the bow of Her Majesty’s ship Lord Warden, which is lying in the Firth of Forth, on the east coast of Scotland. The alleged act is attributed to Fenians, No official con firmation of the rumor has been ob tained. Basutoland. Capetown, Jan. 4. News has been received from Basuto land that a patrolling force of the Cape Rifles, under Colonel Carrington, has

safely returned to., camp at Maft-dng, after having come up with a convoy of provisions, arms, arid ammunition which had been despatched from head-quar ters for the use of the garrison. The arrival of the . convoy has materially strengthened Colonel Carrington’s posi tion. Further news to hand shows that recent defeats of Basutos, Pendonies, and Tambookies by Colonial troops have had good effect on other tribes. Teinbers, who had also joined in rebellion, are now yielding, large number of the tribes having recently submitted to the Cape forces, which were operating against them. --

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pet Renter's Agency.) An Easy Win. Melbourne, Jan. 4. The cricket match, Australian team v. the Combined Eleven of New South Wales and Victoria, was resumed top day. The Combined Eleven were all disposed of in their second innings for 8o runs, and the Australians thus won by 178. Sugar. Mauritius advices to December 24th report the sugar market there as very strong, and sugars generally L2 10 L2 1 os. per ton higher. Tonnage, was scarce. The Suez Mail. Melbourne, To-tay. It is announced that the Peni. sular and Oriental Company’s steamers with the homeward mails will lieno forth leave Melbourne for Galle on Wc dnes day. The South Australian Border Unties. Adelaide, To-c.ay. The South Australian Parli. nent was opened yesterday by his .■ xcei lency the Governor, whose speec 1 on the occasion referred exclusively 0 the Border duties, the conventions on which have recently been concluded with Victoria and New South Wales.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Jack’s Demands. Wellington, To-d.iy A difference has arisen between the agents of a local steamer and the crew. The seamen and firemen of the steamer Huia refused to go to sea last night unless they received a distinct promise tha; their demands regarding the limitation of their working hours in port and payment of overtime {would be acceded to. The agents refused, and the seamen left in a body. The steamer was detained, but it is probable that a now crew will be shipped to-day, and the steamer get away. To Explore Fresh Fields. Dunedin, To-day. W. D. Morrison, one of the pioneers of the Tuapeka goldfields, died yesterday. Criminal Sessions. The Supreme Court, criminal sessions, was opened this morning. The judge’s charge contained - nothing new. The Grand Jury found true bills against John Gately, for larceny; William Pearce alias Johnstone, cutting and wounding ; and Robert Muir, forgery; Walter Rice, for embezzlement in the public service; Alexander M'Leod, maliciously wounding a cow; John Hodgkinson, indecent as sault; George Scheb, public nuisance; John Christie for horse-stealing; John Russell, breaking into a counting house. Robert Muir pleaded guilty to forgery ; John Gately was convicted of larceny; William Pearce pleaded guilty to wounding with intent; William Adams was convicted of forgery. They were remanded for sentence. The Grand Jury ignored the bill against Thomas Mitchell for larceny as a bailee. The sessions will probably conclude to-morrow. Theatrical. _ Mr. Reynolds’ company, including Herr Bandmann, the German tragedian, opened at the Queen’s Theatre last night. There was a good house, A Big Audience. Invercargill, To-day. Cole's circus was attended by 7,000 people last night. Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

The vital statistics for December are as follows :—Births, 52 ; deaths, 7 ; mar riages, 13. Total—Births, 587 ; deaths, 143 ; marriages, 99, or 64 less than last year.

CHATHAM ISLANDS MURDER.

[by telegraph.] Christchurch, To-day. Wairema Wharepa was to-day arraigned at the Supreme Court on a charge of wife murder. After evidence had been called the jury retired, and, after being absent an hour and a half, returned a verdict of guilty against Wairema Wharepa for the murder of his wife at the Chatham Islands, and the prisoner was sentenced to death. He was very excited during the trial, but cooled down after the retirement of the jury, and received the sentence quite calmly. He made no defence.

Ashburton County Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the County Council was held to-day. Pre sent —Messrs W. C. Walker (Chairman), E. G. Wright, Thomas Bullock, John Grigg, E. S. Coster, Julian Jackson, Duncan Cameron, and Alfred Saunders. chairman’s statement. . The Chairman, in opening the business, said he had accepted tenders in connection with the Plains Water Supply, since last meeting, as follows : —Test channel, con tract No. 1, Quigley, 3s. lid. per chain ; Nos. 2 and 3, Devery, 4s. 6d. and ss. per chain ; for connecting the water from the concrete channel to Chapman’s Creek, W. Fergus, 3£d. per cubic yard ; and for work at Chapman’s Creek, 0. M'Donald, two tenders at 7s. 6d. and 7s. 9d. per chain ; and V. Soland, 3d. per cubic yard. These tenders had been called fcr after an inspection by a deputation of the Council of the head works, which deputation had urged the pushing forward of the work without delay. W. Sutherland’s tender for protective works at Ashburton Forks had been accepted at LGO. After refer ring to the letter of the Upper Ashburton Road Board, which stated that the Board would consider the protective works question after the annual meeting of rate payers, the Chairman went on to recount his action in regard to the removal of the railway cattle trucking yards, adding that Government had declined to move in the matter of the removal for want «f funds. He had replied to this letter, again urging the necessity for removal, but as yet had received no reply. The names, &e., of the dog Registrars had been published, and reports by the Tariff Committee and the Hospital Surgeon would be placed before the Council. engineer’s report.

Plains Water Supply. —The concrete chan nel for the initial main has now been satisfac torily completed and the adjustment of the earthwork in connection with it, will also be finished in a few days. The earthwork of continuation of channel across to Chapman’s creek is in progress. The scooped channel over No. I contract is finished ; No. a con tract is somewhat behind, but will be com pleted a fortnight hence. As requested 1 y the Council, X prepared sections of the connec tions required at Drayton, and Mount 1 lard ing, for bringing the supply to the: vicinity of Methven, the length of these being 33 chains

and 57 chains respectively. The earthwork of these sections, as also the clearing of the re maining portions of Chapman’s creek, extend ing to a length of nearly 4 miles, have been let itUlhree contracts, and the works at the yttri ous points, are now being proceeded with, apd will be pushed forward, so as to be complete about the 20th of this month. The test chan nel. extending from Mount Harding-creekjit Mcthvcn to the railway line at - JDromore, a distance of about 19 miles, has been let in three contracts. Of this, a length of about 16 miles has been already executed, and the remainder will be finished within a fortnight. I have arranged with the authorities of the Methven railway for getting the necessary culverts put in under the line at Methven station, and at the point where the race crosses the line near Sherwood, so that everything should be ready for letting the water into the test channel by the end of this month. If the Council should determine, either now or after a trial of that poi tion of the test channel already contracted for, to extend it three and a half miles further down the plains, in accordance w'th the requisition cf owners on the lower site of railway, I would suggest that it be not carried along the lines of road there, inasmuch as the read lines in that quarter are very undulating; and have the greater portion of the retentive upper soil removed for the purpose of forming the roads, so that the channel would, in places, have to be cut in the shingle, which is not desirable. Besides, in that "district, the owners are likely to give every facility for the carrying of the race through their land. In regard to the connection between Chapman's creek and Mount Harding creek, at a point about }.( of a mile from Mount Harding, this cut is being made, solely on condition of such entantity being taken out of Chapman’s creek as will merely serve the pur pose of proposed water supply, such supply being guaged, by sluice gates, at the inleq where it leaves Chapman’s creek, a corresponding supply being returned again from Mount Harding Creek at the point of abstraction, where said creek crosses the road leading down to Methven township. This connection between Chapman’s creek and Mount Harding creek is in no way to serve as a flood channel. The water coming down Chapman's creek, in excess of the quantity re quired for the proposed supply, is to be dis charged in the natural line of outfall for said creek, which line would cross the West Coast road about 58 chains north of cross roads at Methven township, near large gravel pit on lower side of road ; and Mr. Gordon Holmes, owner of properly in that district, consents to give the land necessary for the purposes cf flood channel on this course when it comes to be made, provided the line is taken in a ser pentine form, so as to lessen (he liability to scour.

Filter Basin, Belmont. The earthwork of this basin is finished, and a small portion of the fencing remains now to be done. P>elective Works.- The protective work at Pudding Hill stream, and additional work authorised at Forks ot Ashburton river, hove been completed since the Council last met. Winchmote and Methven Drainage. —Tire upper section of this work at Springfield has been finished, thus completing the lesser of flood drainage authorised by the Council from the Mount Harding creek, to the North Ash burton river, in the vicinity of Winchmore. IVafet ton Drainage. —With the exception of about 40 chains of deepening and enlarging along the line of gorse fence drain, and {he fixing the several flood-gates, the various con tracts here have been satisfactorily completed. Certificates. —I have granted certificates for all work done under my charge during the month of December.

William Baxter, County Engineer. The Council, after considering thereport, decided to approve of that part referring to land for storm water from Mr. G Holmes, and the engineer was instructed to prepare plans, and obtain the necessary agreement for Mr. Holmes’ signature. THE PLAINS WATER SUPPLY. A petition from thirty-six ratepayers in the Cambridge and Seafield districts was presented, praying for the extension of the water supply tor their districts, such extension being a great boon to them. They presented the : petition on the under standing that the water supply was not intended to reach lower than the railway line. On the motion of Mr. Grigg, seconded by Mr. Bullock, it was decided to accede to the petitioners’ request. HOSPITAL REPORT. The Hospital surgeon, Dr. Trevor, sub mitted his report for the year. The first patient was admitted on the 3rd Sep tember and thirty patients had been ad mitted since. The weekly average since September 3rd had been 4 - 75, but for the past two months it had been about ten. Four patients had died, and eight remain under treatment, the rest having been discharged, cured or relieved. Two of the deaths had been from accidents, and two from disease—one consumption, and the other dropsy and general decay. Of the patients, seven had paid full charges, and one partly, the total amount received having been L 22 Is. 6d. Two patients who had been a considerable time in the Hospstal had rendered such assistance by outdoor work and nursing that no pay ment could in fairness be expected of them. Deducting these two patients, L 72 ’remained due to the Hospital, of which LSO could be recovered. The sur geon suggested the desirableness of power being given to him to enforce pay ment in certain cases, otherwise payments would soon drop off. At present they com pared favorably with other hospitals, as less than 10 per cent, of the patients at Christchurch and Timaiu paid. The want of a female ward was much felt, and the private ward had been made use of as such, but this was undesirable, and would be impossible if the patients continued to increase as they were now doing. Two of the rooms upstairs could be fitted up as female wards—one private, and the other public. This would give six more beds, for which the needful bedsteads, <Src., would be required; and four or so more easy chairs were necessary. The drainge was now good and the wards comfortable and well ventilated. A good garden had been established, from which the hospital had been supplied with all vegetables, except potatoes, for the last three months, with out outside labor. From the large amount of night nursing that is occasion ally necessary, further assistance is required. A general servant to sometimes act as nurse will be sufficient. This will not cause much extra cost, as it will en able the hospital to dispense with a char woman. I have been requested to obtain such a person, but have not yet found a proper individual. The provisions supplied had been good both in quantity and quality, and the master and matron had been both attentive and economical.

Mr. Grigg moved, and Mr. Coster seconded—“ That tho fees, in all cases when tho surgeon thinks advisable, should be recovered, and remitted in the cases recommended in the report. ” This was carried, and it was further resolved to obtain another female servant and furniture for female ward. Mr. Saunders remarked that on a recent visit paid by Mr. Grigg and himself, they had found only one female servant in thp hospital, she had to do all the cooking, and was the only female available for nursing two female patients, who re quired a very large amount of attendance. Mr. Wright moved —“That the Hos pital Committee communicate with the Mayor of Ashburton, and ascertain what cohtribution the Borough Council is pre pared to make to the hospital funds, pend ing further legislation on the subject of hospital and charitable aid.” Mr. Grigg seconded, and the motion was carried. 1 THE TARIFF COMMITTEE. The Railway Tariff Committee’s report contained the letter that had been sent in reply to Mr. Maxwell’s letter, and one from the Railway Office, Wellinton, dated December 20th, in which *the General Manager said he concluded that the agri cultural interests require that some con cessions should be made, and the Govern ment have taken into consideration pro posals for reduction on the present grain rates, which would doubtless be adopted at an early date. One of the paragraphs ran;—“Your remarks on the relative.

profits of the different sections involve a political question, which 1 am not"' at liberty, to discuss, and you will therefore no doubt excuse my commenting upon them.’;

The Chairman said that the paragraph referring to Mr. Maxwell’s, refusal to go into details was one that ought to be printed,- in large type, and note taken of it, as an argument why the railways ought to to be in the hands of a non-political Board. He spoke severely against the supineness of the Selwyn County Council on this subject of the railway tariff. ' They had ■declined, under the influence of the Hon. 'John Hall, to take any steps in the matter, and every phase of the question pointed ; to the -necessity of railway control being .placed beyond the reach of political in fluence. He would give notice that at the next meeting of this-Council he would move—“ That in the opinion of this Council the control of the railways of the colony should be placed under a non-politi cal Board. Mr. E. G. Wright said he understood certain reductions were to be made in the tariff, which would reduce the grain rate from Ashburton to Lyttelton by about 10 per cent., and with this reduction he thought they ought to be satisfied for a time, until the financial circumstances of the colony warranted a further reduction in the tariff. The concession was not suf ficient, however, to make the adjustment equitable as compared with the carriage of the products of other industries. * Mr. Coster moved—“ That, in acknow ledging the letter of the General Manager of Railways re reduction in the rate of ■freights, his attention be drawn to the fact that, as regards stock, the tariff which -induced most traffic, yielded the largest profit to the department, and best suited the public, was in force about three years ago, when sheep were carried at 10s. per truck for the first twenty miles, and 4d. per truck per mile afterwards up to fifty miles, ”

■RANGITATA TRAFFIC BRIDGE. The Chairman and Mr. Wright were appointed a committee to confer with the Geraldine County Council on the subject of the Rangitata bridge. DEPUTATION. A deputation consisting of the Hon. W. S. Peters, Messrs. Morrow, M'Coll, Bowiok, J. H Bruce, and others, waited upon the Council in reference to the separation into a new district of that por tion of the Upper Ashburton and Mount Somers Road districts lying between the Hinds and the Rangitata. A petition praying for severance was piesented, and a counter petition was also presented, praying for the adoption of the ward system instead. Both petitions were numerously signed by ratepayers in the district affected. The Hon W. S. Peters said that from L 30,000 to L 40.000 had been expended by tfie Mount Somers Road Board, and only about L 4,000 had been expended in No. 4 ward, which was the district asking separation. This he thought was suffi cient reason for severance.

Mr. Grigg desired to know if applica tion had been made by the recent settlers for work to be done, and such application refused ? ' Mr. Morrow said he believed that it was not the intention of the Board to form roads in the part of the district where his property lay. He represented G,OOO acres.

Mr. McColl said that the district requir ing severance was of one character. It was thirty miles long and about twelve miles wide. There was no swamps in it, and no culverts required over it, and it extended from the hills to the station, and from the Hinds to the Hangitata. The land was of a character that required, no costly works, and those owning it de sired'a Hoad Board of their own, so that they ’should not be required to contribute towards the more costly works of the other portions' of the two wards. The Upper Ashbiu-ton district was divided into wards certainly, but they were not legal ised wards*

Mr. Wright said the petition from the Mount Somers Road Board against the petition for severance did not take a fair view of the case, as in a table of expendi ture given in git the figures were only given for one year. The district seeking severance was larger than the Ashburton road district. It had been stated in one of the three petitions that no case of harsh treatment had been made out, but he fancied that it was sufficient indication of dissatisfaction when the ratepayers ap plied for severance. In answer to a question Mr. M‘Coll ex plained that the district seeking severance comprised a ward of the Upper Ashburton Board, and another of the Mount Somers. The Chairman said he was in an awk ward position in the matter. He was a ratepayer, in . the Meant Somers Road District aiid a member of the Board. He was also Chairman of the County Council who were asked to decide upon the ques tion. But he was sorry to see the move ment. Any defection from a Board left a greater proportion of the office expendi ture to be borne by the portion of it that remained. He deprecated the increase of office expenditure in the County, and thought that the ratepayers in the Mount Somers district had little to complain of. The promoters of the movement were no doubt acting with a view to protecting themselves in the future, but he did not think that as yet there was any necessity for it. He hoped the Council would con sider the matter very fully before they decided to grant or refuse the severance. Mr. .Wright was very much surprised to find that four gentlemen, members of the Council, had signed the counter-peti tion. He did not know that these gentle men even owned land in the district, but if they did not it made the matter infinitely worse, for in the first case they were members of the Council, and there fore judges of the question ; and if they owned no land they stepped out of their way to pre-judge a case on which they were required, as County members, to adjudicate. Mr. Grigg said Mr. Wright was per fectly correct in what he said about the four gentlemen whose names were on the counter petition, and he (Mr. Grigg) felt a twinge when the remarks were made, for his own name was on the counter petition. But when he put his name to the petition he was not aware that it would come before the County Council. The Chairman, in reply to Mr. Peter, explained that the Mount Somers Road Board petition against severance was not formally before the Council. It had been forwarded to Wellington, and had not been returned. The document that had been read was only a copy, and had been read simply for information. Mr. Wright thought that such further information on the subject as could be obtained ought to be procured. He thought the ratepayers ought to be allowed to separate if they wished. There was no opposition raised to the division of the Longboach and Mount Hutt Boards. After some further talk, fhe deputation withdrew.

Mr. Wright moved—“ That the ques tion of severance be submitted for investi gation' to a Committee, consisting of Messrs. .Saunders, Coster, Bullock, and the mover.” t ■ . The Chairman defended himself as a ratepayer, a member of the Mount Somers Road Board, and Chairman of the County Council, against what Mr. Wright had said regarding the signatures of four county members being on the counter petition. He felt he had only done his duty as a ratepayer and a Road Board member. Mr. Bullock seconded Mr. Wrights motion in a few remarks, and after some further talk it was carried.

(THE TINWALI)-WINSLOW SEPARATION. The Longbeachßoad Board Clerk wrote notifying a resolution passed at the annual

meeting of the ratepayera'ojf that ; district on the 4th instant, to tho'effect—“ That, in the opinion of that meeting,' it was not desirable that the Tinwald-Winslow dis trict should be formed intp a separate road district. ” This was considered tantamount to a withdrawal of the application for separa tion. WATERTON CEMETERY. The Longbeacb Road Board Clerk wrote asking that the cemetery at Waterton _be called Waterton Cemetery to distinguish it from the others in the Longbeach dis trict, and that it should be placed under the Cemeteries Management Act. It w’as resolved to ask Government to make the change in name. WATERTON DRAINAGE. The Longbeach Surveyor wrote asking for a bridge to be placed across the new drain cut through the township of Water ton. The drain ran through the main street, which was formed on both sides of it. The Engineer was : instructed to see to the bridge being put up as required. THE CATTLE MARKET. The Secretary to the Agricultural and Pastoral Assoc', t on wrote that they were of an opinion that LIOO a year would be a fair rental for cattle market, and ten per cent extra on the additions and alterations that have been made since the acceptance of the first tenders. The extras amounted to L 312 18s. Id., and the original tenders to L 1,007 Bs. 2d. An agreement with the Association to rent the yards on the above terms was ordered to be made out. The Council had no objection to the Associa tion sub-letting, but would hold the Association responsible for the yards. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to over L 1,500 were passed for payment. WHEATSTONE DRAINAGE. .Several farmers at Ashton applied for a six-inch concrete stop in the main drain at Wheatstone. The Engineer was instructed to do what was necessary. THE BOROUGH WATER PIPES. The .Mayor of Ashburton wrote, asking that the water pipes now in store in the Borough, bo put under the absolute con trol ot the Borough Council, with a view to enabling that "body to raise money on them to execute such works as the water scheme comprehended. Mr. Grigg and Mr. Bullock having spoken, Mr. Wright suggested lending the Borough the money on the security of the pipes. Mr. Coster questioned the legality of this.

Mr. Saunders said the legality could be got over by purchasing the pipes. Mr. Wright said that could be done— they cost L 8 per ton in Ashburton, and the same kind of pipes now cost Ll2. It was ultimately decided that the pipes be handed over to the Borough without restriction—Mr. Bullock being the mover. THE borough’s SHARE OF THE LAND FUND.

It was decided to hold over till next meeting consideration of the Borough’s claim to a share of the land fund. Mean while the Clerk to get out a return with a view to ascertaining the amount due to the Borough. CEMETERY AT WINSLOW. It was resolved to ask Government to reserve three acres of reserve 1784 for a cemetery for Winslow. METHVEN POUND. Mr. W. B. Comptom was appointed poundkeeper at Methven.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

A WOMAN ALONE. [continued.] “ Only a dreamer, madam. I had a hope one day to my philosophy, but that is dying out.” “As fast as other dreams. Ah, they soon fade !” she muruured. She did not say any more ; it seemed almost as if she had turned from me, disappointed that her estimate of me had been incorrect. I was only one of the crowd she had taken so much pains to avoid, and there was no sympathy between us. This was a clever woman, and I was a weak fool. I had said too much, and let her see how shallow I was, and she did not care for my boy’s philosophy. I made no further effort to engage her in conversation ; my pride told me she was tired of me, and I was very quickly silent. It was only after she had withdrawn that I felt I had lost an advantage in her eyes, and that I might have said something to prove at least that I had thought a great deal. I noticed that I was regarded with some suspicion by the guests, and I knew afterward that it was the first time the young lady in grey had been seen to converse at length with any of the visitors at the hotel. I was the favored one —or the old friend lurking about in disguise, and for some hidden purpose, which they hoped to fathom presently. The next day I had made up my mind to cross the Channel and proceed but my plans were all upset by last night’s conversation. I was a man under a spell; here was the un seen, incomprehensible motive force in which I believed, and which was draw ing me toward this mystery, and making this young Frenchwoman a part of my waking life. The dreams had vanished, and she was here in the foreground to ensnare or counsel me—to exercise a supernatural power over me, if she were vain fond of power, I did not own, I could not think at this time, that it was simply love for her which was affecting me. I had no belief in the love of man for woman. I would more readily place credence in my theory of mysterious attraction, which was but a heart’s deep passion under another name. I was a wealdjng boasting of my strength ; but I close upon my knowledge of the trudi; and it would soon dismay me. I did not know what havoc love .could make in a man naturally weak, and naturally anxious to be trusted.

We became friends, Virginie and I. The ice once broken between two re served natures, each alone in a strange country, and each not one-and-twenty, and there was no fearing again of her demeanor towards me. If she did not look up to me she respected me at least, and the smile with which she met me of a morning, her readiness to con verse, to speak of her family and mine, to let me by degrees learn something of her, and tell her not a little of myself, were ties to draw me closer every day. T knew that I loved her then, despite the mystery which still surrounded her,' despite the assurance to my heart that she was not telling me her whole history, and thrt there would be more to learn some day. I could not expect

implicit confidence from her, and yet. she had had entire confidence from me. I felt that I could trust her; I was only secretly pained that she could not put her faith in me. Presently she knew all my life, my ambitions, my wild theories, out of many of which she reasoned me with keen, incisive arguments that proved how much stronger and brighter this mind was than my own. She was my junior by eighteen months, but I was like a child in the hands of its mother when she took me to task and railed at my speculations. “ You are very weak, Armand,” she said to me one day, and with so pitying a look in her eyes that I winced under it.” “ I could wish, for your sake, that you were a stronger-minded man.” “ You think 1 am easily led away, then ? ”

“ I hardly know what to think of you,” she said, sadly, “or what —” “ Well ?” I asked, as she paused. “ —or what will become of you,” she added. “ Without jou?” I said, impulsively. “Ah ! I don’t know now.”’ She colored. She had not been pre pared for so hasty an outburst of my feelings. I was not prepared myself. The very misery of ray tone of voice perhaps convinced her for the first time of the deep love I had for her. She was surprised, and for a moment abashed. She knew my secret now, and was too wise to seem wholly to misinterpret it. She was above so womanly an affectation. We were sitting at the pier-head together waiting for the Channel boat’s arrival. It was wintry weather, and no one was abroad that day but ourselves. The wind was coming fiercely across the sea, and the clouds were threaten ing rain. The holiday visitors had all flown homeward, and there was only life and bustle in the little harbor beyond, and two strange hearts trying perhaps to understand each other here, and one failing very miserably. “ You will soon be going home for good now ?” she said, after an awkward silence. “ I fancy even that your friends are growing anxious.” “ What makes you think this ?” I asked, quickly. “ Letters come more frequently to you, and you are sad after their perusal.” “Just as if I did not care to return to the home to which I am summoned,” I added, with a forced laugh. “ And that is true, too.” “Yes, quite true.” I answered, “and you know it.” She regaided me very steadily now, and looked no longer away. The crisis had come, and she was prepared for it.

“ Because you leave me here, and after a fashion ” —she shivered as with the northern blast —“ we have become friends.”

“ Ah, you speak bitterly,” I cried, “ but God knows you are a friend that is very dear to me. To lose you is to submerge my whole life, which I would rather part with than say good bye.” “ Why this is the raving of a man on the stage, Armand,” said she, warmlj, “and Twill beg of you to cease.” “ Oh, I know you don’t care for me ; that lam never likely to be more in your estimation than a madman and a misanthrope; that we are not even suited for each other; but,” I added, “ I can’t help loving you, or saying so, any more than I can help breathing. It is the plain truth, and you may as well know it, Virginie.”

She looked at me with the same steady, pitying look. “ I am sorry to hear it.”

“ And it is no news to you,” I added. “ I may have feared that this was to be the end offriendship born in hours of idleness together, and I would have stopped it, if I could, w-eeks ago. But a woman is powerless.” “ Not always.” “ I have been waiting for you to speak,” she added, frankly, and for me to end this folly. I am glad it has come thus early, for both our sakes. You will forget me, possibly hate me, all the sfinaSk.” I sawjHP tears in her eyes before she dasfflVf them away with a quick hand.

“ Virginie ! —hate you ?” “ Love repulsed turns quickly to hate, it is said, and it will be natural on your part. If not now, presently.”

“ Impossible.” “ I don’t know,” she answered, very thoughtfully. “ Your self-love is wounded when I tell you it is hopeless that I can think of you as one dear to me in any way, or as one even with whom I shall be sorry to part.” “ Ah, don’t say that ! Spare me a little.”

“ Not sorry, because I am sure it is for the best. What would your fatter say to such a mesalliance as you have had in your thoughts ? What would he, a French officer and gentleman, think of it— a power in the Senate, a minister of state ? Have you not told me more than once how proud he is ? and is there not that about my I'fe which is not to be explained ?” She spoke fearlessly now, but she was startled by my answer. Prepared for many eccentricities on my part, she was not prepared for this. “My father is proud, but he loves his son,” I said ; “here is his answer to your question.”

“His answer ?” she cried in her amazement.

“ I have no secrets from him. I wrote and told him all there was in my heart,” I said. I spoke of my love for you, and of the one chance of peace and happiness which it afforded me.”

“ This was unwise, before you knew or thought—” “ Read his letter, Virginia, and see what he says for himself and—for me.” I put my father’s letter into her hands, which trembled very much as she received it ; the face was of a new pallor also, and the fresh young lips were quivering as with a grief or pain. Her emotion gave me a new hope, and my heart bounded at once from the depth of despair.

I watched her read the letter. I had a strong faith in its contents impressing her. It was the epistle of a loving father to an only son—of a man who was very anxious for his son’s welfare, and had been for years terribly solicitous concerning him. “ I shall only be too happy to see you united to a lady well educated, well born, and amiable,” he wrote. “ I can

krtow of na.bar to such a union, and I , have pot a; > word to urge against it. Strange as you are, Armand, I think I can trust your judgment in this matter and I believe you are not the man to have set your affection on this lady hastily, and -without fair reflection. More, I believe in her as you do your- ■ self. You give me no particulars of her family. Ask her, should she favor your suit, in due course of time, to put me in communication with herparents, and' let us all meet together fMf happy hearts,” . ■ U T (Y'f There was more than rfiis, news of ‘ home and of- old-friends,- but4feef r epßtte*“? returned to my love for Vjrgi#iis:tgai»iA “ Bring her to us at Paris, have gone for a holiday. She be welcome,” were his last'words. ' ‘ '. Virginia read the letter ihd jA by degrees was firm arid cahn again. “ Yes, this is a trusting father;” ‘ &e| murmured; “and I have, thought him cruel arid exacting—oll6,” she added, quickly, “ who by . bis r austerity and want of sympathy with you had driven you from home. See how easy it is to judge, and judge falsely.” “You thought this of my Tather, Virginia?” “ Yes. You were a man so ill-tfairied and wild,” she answered, “ that your youth had been uncared for, orxared for too much, I felt assured. But what would he think of me?. You have, not told him that I am alone here, to many an object of suspicion, -and to many more incomprehensible. lam a wtoman f alone ; and there is always a doubti over such an anomaly, and the world has a right to be wary of her.” : spoke indignantly • now, and bent th® letter I had given her in the ■ paltry L of her gloved hand. ,v : . - “ But you can defy the world, 1 There .r is no mystery which you cannot: clear;; There is—”

“ There is nothing but resignation tti my position,” said Virginte. “I can not defy the world, and it is beyond my. ■ power to explain.” _ v “ I ask for no explanation; I willfbel ) content with you,” I cried. “Give me only a hope to win, you* anjl iysh|& care for nothing else.” “That is romance,’ and we are in a r prosaic world, Armand. Still;”' she “ added, after a pause, .“T thank you,for| all your faith in me : it is far more than-«- I deserve.” - -

“ And you will—” . v ; “ I will think again,” she added, with , the old puzzled, pitying look returning: to her face. “ Give, me four days- toT consider everything. Leave tne this •. letter to offer me some strength even — your father’s words of faith in the wo man his son loves—and meet .me beta r four days hence, in the Christmas week • approaching; Will you?” ; I' “ Will I?” I cried. “ with what b hope and with what prayers will I wait ,1 And meanwhile—”

“Meanwhile leave me to Don’t watch me,” she added, jvitli a new and terrified look, “'fat' I am afraid of you and of my own strength, and am desperately unhappy. I may remain here, I may disappear, but do not say a word to me again until we meet in this place. '. J (7 o be continued. ) ~~

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1881.



Special Advertisements- T H E VALUE MEN’S BEST FOR -READY MONEY IS THE 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. .Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* •JJPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. TENDERS are invited for— No. 93.~Foraring three miles more or less continuation of the road (lately formed by Mr. Robt. Millar) to the Junction of Arithy. Thompson’s Toad to the Rakaia. Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, are not to.b6 later than 12 noon MON DAY, the 10th instant. Specification to be seen at the office. ROBT. D. PULLER, 875 Clerk. f| HE GUARDIAN is published every evening,-, giving every day’s news, Up to the hour of going to press. This is better than buying a sixpenny weekly.



Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— The finest remedies in the world for bad legs, old wounds, sores, and ulcers. If used according to directions given with them there is no y bad legs, or ulcerous sore, however obstinate or long standing, but will yield to their healing and curative properties. Numbers of persons who have been patients in several of the- large > hospitals and the care of eminent surgeons,'' without deriving the slightest benefit, have been thoroughly cured by Holloway’s Dint* ment and Pills. For glandular swellings, tumours, scurvy, and diseases of the skin there is no medicine that can be -used- with so good in effect. In fact, in the worst forms of dis ease, dependent upon the condition of the blood, these medicines, if used conjointly', 1 e irresistible. Wanted. WANTED, a good general SERVANT. Apply at. once to Botlbb’sl Family Hotel. 869 WANTED, a SERVANT GIRL, for a farm near town. Apply, Office o£ this paper. 870 SERVANT. WANTED, at once, a good General Servant. , Abply to Miss Callaghan, Tancred street. 876 WANTED KNOWN—The Laegbst and Best Stock of Saodlery is to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 155.; Cart Winkers, Bs. 6d.; Plongh Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 605.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by baying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. 871 WANTE D—Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery of all sorts to REPAIR,- Lowest Charges. PARKER, Watch maker. Private House, directly opposite the Public School. 837 ' WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p. m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 606 ANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New"; Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour- , nal, and Bow Bells, Is. 6d. each. Family" Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&<x A visit solicited. L. F. East - street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527 WANTED KNOWN—That a Church of England minister’s wife writes - that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetrees’ - Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, corn--' bined; and, although she permits no. rubbing, the clothes are beautifully whitp, , and much cleaner than when done' ; by' ‘ hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, comer//or Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church ; Price—£9 10s. -700 : WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M*RAE begs to inform the , public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is - making extensive repairs. , , yij. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. ' 862 s ETTER PUPS FOR SALK Apply, Guardian Office. , 844 XVTANTED.—THE GUARDIAN tells W your Wants for Is.—cash.