SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Saucy Lass, schooner, from Wellington. To-day. Penguin, s.s., from Port Chalmers. Rotorua, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Tui, 8.5., for Kaikoura. Oreti, s.s., for Timaru. Beautiful Star, s.s., for Westport. ■ Telegraph, schooner, for Greymouth. Crest of the Wave, schooner, for Grey mouth. iJsland Oity, barque for Newcastle. Aratapu, brigantine, for Kaipara. Thomas and Henry, brig, for Auckland May King, schooner, for Auckland. Elizabeth Carle, schooner, for Pioton. Vision,-Wig, for Kaipara. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. . Wellington, Yesterday! •' Sailed —Hawea, for Picton. h Wellington, To-day. ■Sailed—Northumberland, s.s., for Lon don. She takes a cargo valued at L 122,000. "I Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Sailed—Nelson, shig t; for London. Yesterday. ■ The Arawata arrived at the Bluff at 6 a. 3m. !M o-- i London, Jan. 31. — Somersetshire, from Mel bourne. - * JZ Sydney, Yesterday. ►Arrived —Ringarpoma, a.s., from Auck land.:': £

MAIL NOTICES.

"flails. closalatV the Chief Post Office, Cimsichurch, 'for the following places (subject*:- to necessary alterations) as fc ‘3 ‘“Tuesday, February 8. -For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, &ci, per Te Anau. close at the Afhbiirton Post Office, For Christchurch anaSorth at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m.,uaßy. Edr Chertsey; Rakaia, &c. , at 10 a. m. and 5. p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Eangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Fob * Temuka, at. 6 a.m« and 10 am., daily, f u For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m.,amd:42o 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, *t 4. - » For Wakanui, F.lgin, 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., 435 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. Fr«m .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. in. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. ; , • ,W. St, G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION 3ALES. Tuesday, February 8. Davies and; Winter—T.S. Nos. 332 and 334, Rakaia. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. V f To-Night, 1 ' ' * TUesDay, February 1. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Degree ’ Temple, Fortnightly Meeting, Templar Hall, at 8 p. in. Horticultural Society, Monthly Meeting, ajt Jacobson and Eyton’s office, at 8 o'clock. To-morrow, Wednesday, February 2. County, Council, at the County Council at 11 o’clock. '

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church ahld intermediate stations at '6 aim., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 6.48 p.im ' ‘ Trains Ashburton , for Timaru And’ South, at 7 a.m, 10.36 a.m. (Ex presS), and 4.80 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding noiarther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 4j. 35 p. m., and 7.50 p. m. Trains Arrive at Ashrurton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a. m., 5. 34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [ lssued at 5 p.m.] The Ashburton Guardian. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1881.

Fall in Wool. —London telegrams state that the Antwerp wool sales opened with an average decline all round of 5 per cent. Accidental Death. —A man named Timothy Fitzgerald was drowned in the Waibo River on Saturday. At the in quest yesterday, a verdict of “ Accidental death” was returned. '' Accident Insurance Company. —At the annual meeting of this company, held recently at Auckland, after paying all the costs of establishing branches in New Zealand and Australia, a dividend of 10 per cent, was declared, and L1,G30 carried forward. Gold. —Considerable interest is bein taken in Nelson in the development o gold-bearing reefs. The Mount Arthur reefs are attracting much attention, and a prospecting association has been formed for the purpose of proving the lines of the supposed reefs at Wangapaka, and be twen there and Mount Arthur. A Dual Train Accident. —A double accident occurred on the Sydney tramway on the 24th January. An old lady on one side and an old gentleman on the other side attempted to enter the car while in motion. Both fell under the wheels and were seriously injured. The latter has since died. A Minister and His Parishioners.— At the annual meeting of parishioners of All Saints’ Church, Gladstone, Southland, last evening, a resolution was presented that the Ritualistic practices and opinions of the Rev. John Hobbs, the incumbent, meet with the strong disapproval of the parishioners, and that he be respectfully requested to tender his resignation. The resolution was withdrawn on the under standing that the newly-elected vestry would take action in conformity with the laws of the Church if thought necessary.

To-Day’s Court —At the R. M. Court this morning, before Mr. Nugent Wood, Frank Olliver, charged with being drunk and disorderly, admitted his guilt, and on payment of 2s. costs was discharged. James Costello, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and illegally on the pre mises of Mr. Johnston, was set at liberty, having atoned for his offences by confinement since Saturday last, his Wor ship, however, giving him some sound counsel with reference to his future be haviour. Mayfield School Meeting. —A meet ing of householders took place at Mr. McColl’s homestead on Saturday, for the purpose of electing a comihittee for this newly formed district. The attendance, owing to harvest operations was not very large. The boundaries of the district as defined by the Board of Education were discussed at some length, and several gentlemen present appeared to think it necessary that a second school should at once be established for the upper part of the district, where there are a number of children too far removed from the present school to derive any advantage from it. The committee was then elected, and im mediately held a meeting, but after Mr. McColl had been chosen as chairman, adjourned until February 28.

Temdkaßesident Magistrates’ Court. —At this Court yesterday, before Mr. Nugent Wood, R.M., the following civil business was disposed of :—Northam v, Crompton—a judgment summons for L 4 2s. 9d. The defendant was ordered to pay 20s. per month ; the first payment to be made on the 28th of February instant; or, in default, to go to gaol at Addington for 14 days. Cumming and Hayes v. Prentice —for medical attendance. The defendant having received his discharge in the Bankruptcy Court, the case was allowed to be withdrawn. Same v. Nel son— Ditto. Same v. Jones—L3 3s. Judgment for plaintiffs with costs. Franks v. Carter—claim, LI 7s. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Temuka Road Board v. Thomas Trengrove—claim, 7s. for rates. Judgment for amount and costs. Mathews v. Golston—adjourned for one week. Medicinal Properties of the Blue Gum. —The testimony in support of the great medicinal properties of the Eucalyp tus globulus is increasing every year. Few districts in Europe had a more eril repu tation than the Campagna as a verit able hot-bed of pestilential fever, and people who knew the country round Rome may remember the monastry at Tre Fon tane, on the spot, as tradition tells us, that St. Paul met his death. Life in this monastry meant death to the monks, but since the Eucalyptus has been planted in the cloisters fever has disappeared and the place has become habitable. Again, in parts of Corsica and Algeria, where the trees have been planted for the sake of its reputed virtues, epidemic fevers have been stamped out. Similar testimony also comes from Holland, the south of Africa, California, and many other parts of'the world, as to the febrifugal attributes of thp tree, which must make it increas ' ihgly valuable in the eyes of Australians.

Pouring Oil on -. Troubled Wat:, is. —Some experim£fit||fwitk oil on w<-- es were made at Peterhead recently, raid were so successful that the proposal to lay oil on the mouths of harbors by meant 1 of pipes was discussed as a not very ren >te project. According to the Dundee Adver tiser, bottles filled with oil were sunk to the bottom of the harbor in which the sea was breaking heavily. The oil was then released, and, rising to the surface it exercised an immediate and magical ellect in smoothing the ti’oubled waters. Ins lead of the waves breaking, the sea bee une quite smooth and glassy-looking, and there was a visible softening down of the waves, which in place of being sharp-crested were turned into long, undulating waves. The World’s Wool. — A writer, with statistical predilection, says : “ The capital employed in feeding and clothing the civilised world is amazing. It is esti mated that there are from 484,000,000 to 000,000,000 sheep in the world, or, at the lowest estimate, 320,883 miles of sheep, if strung along, one closely following the other—or nearly enough to encircle the earth thirteen times. Of these, the United States have 36,000,000—that is, nearly enough to make a solid column of sheep, eight in a row, from New York to San Francisco. Great Britain has abou' the same number of sheep as the United States, and her wool clip increased' trom 94,000,000 lbs. in 1801 to 325,000,000 lbs. in 1876. France and Austria produce about as much, but the United Slates product is only about 200,000,000 I s. — not two-thirds of that of Great Britain. The great sheep-breeding countries of Australia, New Zealand, South Ah.ica, and the River Plate brought the total woolclip of the world last year vi> to 1,497.500,000 —worth, at a low estimate, L300,0Q0,000.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) A Panic. London, Jan. 31. Renewed rumors of expected Fe nian attacks have caused a panic in Man chester, and ail the public buildin ;s in the town are now placed under strong military guards. Carlyle. ■ Thomas Carlyle, the wllerkuown author, is seriously ill. The Portugese Chambers and the P eers. Lisbon, January 'll. The Portugese Chambers are now debating a resolution that the Govern ment should meditate between England and the rebel Boers in order to bring about a cessation of hostilities in the Transvaal. Frozen Meat. London, Jan. 31. The steamer Protos has been chartered for two more voyages be tween Australia and London to bring cargoes of fresh meat and other art icles of food. The High Oommissionership. A gazette of to-day announces the appointment of Mr. Des Vouse, Go vernor of Fiji, to the High Commis sionership of the Western Pacific.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Pa Renter’s Agency.) The Late Native Massacres. Sydney, Jen. 31. H.M.S. Emerald reports that she has recently visited the scenes of the Sand fly, Zephyr, and Borealis massacres in the Solomon Group. She shelled the places and burnt down many villages. The natives generally had absconded, but armed boats’ crews were repeatedly sent ashore, and one native, was killed and another taken prisoner at Brooker Island. The Emerald brings two witnesses of the massacre. The Turf. Melbourne, Jan. 31. The Geelong Racing Club Handicap was won by Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) Trap Accident. Grahamstown, To-day. An accident occurred yesterday evening at Tararu, along the Tapu road. Mr. J. Brown, of Waimo, with his wife and daughter, was proceeding homewards, when the trap they were in capsized, throwing out the occupants near Whake tere. Mr. Brown received a severe gash on his forehead, and was rendered insen sible, and was also injured in his spine by the horse falling on him ; His wife was hurt internally, but the daughter escaped uninjured. The Governor’s Tour. Napier, To-day. The Governor left town to-day. Ho stays at Te Aute to-night, the guest of the Rev, S. Williams, and proceeds to Wel lington to-morrow overland. He will receive a public reception at Woodville. The Justices and the Late Smuggling

Case. Wellington, To-day. At the Resident Magistrates’ Court this morning, Mr. Hutchinson and Dr. Hard ing, J.P.’s attended, in accordance with a mandamus from the Supreme Court, to give judgment in the case of H.M. Customs v. Martin, a publican, who was convicted for having several unstamped boxes of cigars in his possession. The Bench inflicted the full penalty of LIOO without costs, but recommended that it be mitigated to the minimum penalty. Determined to Stop It. The proprietors of the White Swan and Panama Hotels were each fined L2 for Sunday trading. The magistrates re marked that, if the mitigated penalties now being inflicted did not put a stop to Sunday traffic, the fine would be in creased. Won’t Go-Ahead. The prew of the steamer Go Ahead struck this morning, demand the eight hours’ system while in port and overtime. It is though no difficulty, will be ex perienced in shipping a crew of non unionists. A Doubt. Timaru, To-day. Richard Power, a working man, who was sentenced a week ago ,£o a fortnight’s, imprisomerit fob a screw-wrench from his employer, had his'case re-heard, and the additional evidence casting a strong doubt .ojp hi? tguilt, he, >vas dis charged. Volunteers, 'i i Dunedin, To-day. The North Dunedin Rifles will ;-be represented at Nelson by the ' following members rCorporal Hutchison, Sergt. Johnston, Sergt. Richardson,' Volunteers Brookes, Millar, and Marshall; the com pany pay 6a. per man towards the expenses of first five.

The Revenue. The revenue for January is L 43,763, against L 30,664 for the corresponding month last year. • > Vital Statistics. Invercargill, To-day. Daring the month of January, 35 births j.-6 deaths, ahd 9 marriages were registered in Invercargill. '

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON RACES. Wellington, Jan. 31. Some good work was done on the race course this morning. Luna did a sweater twice round, finishing well. Dan went two miles nicely, making friends by his resolute style of going. Lady Emma went by herself a fair gallop, and the two" year-olds, Legerdemain and Gitana, had a spin together. Randwick, who looks strong and well, went once round in sweaters, and was then joined by Bads worth went twice lound, finishing at a good pace. Grey Morans had a striding gallop of two miles. He looks all the better for his rest. Astronomer, while taking a canter, came to grief. The bandage on his off fore leg came undone, and the horse treading on it fell heavily, throwing Ray’s boy, who was on him. Fortunately, neither boy nor horse was severly hurt. Clarence did two miles very nicely, as did also Miss Domett. Libeller, with Wattie up, did an excellent two miles. Natator was the last to show up, and was sent two miles and a half in cloth ing. He pulled up strong and well. : The following weights have been declared for the • Flying Stakes Billingsgate 9st. 121b5.; Randwick, Bst. 81bs.; Libeller, Bst. 7lbs.; Lady Emma, Bat.; Luna, 7st. 131b5.; Badsvvorth, 7st. 121b5.; Cassivel lanus filly, 7st. 101 b.; Sir George, 7st. 61bs.; Sir Tatton, 7st. 51bs.; The Gover nor, 7st. 41bs.; Astronomer, 7st.; Mis chief, Cst. 91bs.; Miss Domett, Cst.; Combs, sst. 71bs.; Annie, sst. 71b».; Dan, sst. 71bS.

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[by telegraph. ] London, Jan. 18. There is a possibility that the obstruc tion in the House of Commons will soon he brought to an end. Professor Thorgold Rogers, one of the Liberal members for Southwark, has discovered among the old orders of the House one which 1 dates back to the year 1600, which empowers the Speaker to-“ stay irrelevant speeches.” It is 7 likely that this will be used for the purpose of putting a stop to the present protracted discussion.

Jan. 20. The Dutch settlers of South Africa have made an appeal to the Govern nient and people of Holland, claiming their-sympathy and-protection in- their present relations with Great Britain. It is considered very unlikely that the assistance sought will be-granted.. Mr. Gladstone has expressed sym pathy with the loyal Boers, but regrets that it is impossible to grant them in dependence.

It is stated that Earl Beaconsfield is pressing upon the Conservative party the necessity of supporting some measure of land reform in Ireland, with a view to checkmating the designs of the Land League. . In the engagement which took place between the Chillian and Peruvian forces at Charillas, the fighting was very severe. The ‘ number of killed’'" was 7,000. Lima, the capital city of Peru, afterwards yielded to the Chillian force. The War Minister of Peru was taken prisoner, but President Pierola managed to escape. After this signal advantage obtained by the Chillians, the diplo matists representing foreign countries are urging the expediency of an armis tice between the contending parties. Jan, 22.

The small British garrison stationed at Lydenburg, in the Transvaal, has capitulated to the Boers. The weather favors the operations of the Boers against the British troops, and they are taking every advantage of their opportunity. Several mass meetings of Irish have been held in England in order to ex press sympathy with their countrymen in Ireland.

Justice Fitzgerald’s summing up has been regarded as impartial and felicitous, both by the prosecution and the de fence. His lordship referred to the influence exercised amongst the Land League agitators by returned American loiterers, and refuted the analogy which was sought to be drawn between the present land agitatation in Ireland and trades unionism. The Bill introduced by Mr. Forster in regard to Ireland is generaly praised by the press as being a measure in the right direction, and calculated to effect the object in view.

THE GRAIN RATES.

The Gazette of January 27th contains the regulations and rates for the convey ance of agricultural produce which are fixed to come into force on February 9th. The minimum quantity is two tons ; any less quantity will be charged as such minimum, or as class D. At all stations, except at Auckland, Onehunga, Spit, Wel lington, Poxton, Wanganui, Waitara, Greymouth, Westport, Nelson Port, Pic ton, Blenheim, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, Dune din, Invercargill, and the Bluff, the loading and unloading into and from the trucks may be done by the owners. When so done, or when loaded into the shed owing to trucks not being available after reasonable notice is given, the classified rates only will _be charged. When loading or unloading is done by the railway department at stations, Gd. per ton in addition to the classified rates will bo charged for each operation. At all private stores and sidings the loading or unloading shall be done by the owners. Class E, ex ship, will be charged as class D.

The following are the classified rates for Class E. Agricultural produce, he mileage given being from 1 to 100 : 1 2s ; 2,2 s ; 3,2 s6d ; 4,2 s6d ; 5,2 s 8d; G, 2s 10 ; 7,3 s ; 8,3 s 2d ; 9,3 s 4d ; 10, 3s 6d ; 11, 3s 8d ; 12, 3s lOd; 13, 4s Id; 14, 4s fid ; 16, 4s 9d ; IG, fis 4d ; 17, fis Cd ; 18, fis 8d ; 19, fis lOd; 20, 6s ; 21, 6s 2d ; 22, 6s 4d ; 23, 6s Gd ; 24, 6s 8d ; 25, Gs lOd ; 26, 7s ; 27, 7s 2d ; 28, 7s 4d ; 29, 7s 6d; 30, 7s 8d ; 31, 7s lOd; 32. 8s : 33, 8s 2d ; 34, 8s 4d ; 35, 8s 6d ; 36, 8s 8d; 37, 8sl0d; 38, 9s; 39, 9s 2d; 40, 9s 4d ; 41, 9s 6d ; 42, 9s 8d ; 43, 9s lOd; 44, 10s; 45, 10s 2d; 46, 10s 4d ; 47, 10s Gd ; 48, 10s 8d ;■ 49, 10s lOd; 50, 11s: 51, 11s Id ; 52, : lls. 2d ; 53, 11s 3d ; 64, 11s 4d ; 55, 11s fid ; 56,11 s 6d; 67, 11s 7d; 58, lls 8d ; 59, lls 9d ; 60, lls lid ; 61, 12s ;; 62, 12s Id ; 63,‘12s 2d ; 64,12 s3d ; 65,.12s 4d ; G 6, 12s fid ; 67, 12s 6d ; 68, 12s 7d ; 69, 12s 8d; 70, 12s, lOd ;71, 12s lid,; 78, 13s ; 73, 13s Id ; 74, 13s 2d • 75,13 s3d ; 76,13 s 4d; 77, 13s 5d ; 78, 13s 6d ; 79, 13s 7d ; 80,13 sßd ; 81, 13s 9d ; 82, 13s lOd : 83, 13s lid ; 84, 14s ; 85, 14s id ; 86, i4s 2d ; 87, 14s 3d ; 88, 148, 4d,; 89, 14s 5d ; 90, 14s 6d ; 91, 14s 7d ; 92,14 s 8d ; 93, 14s 9d ; 94, 14s lOd ; 95, 14s lid ; 96, 15s ; 97, 15s Id ; 98, 15s 2d ; 99, 15s 3d ; 100, 15s 4d. For every mile after 100 miles, Id per ton will be charged.— Frcsf, ‘

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN V. CANTERBURY FIFTEEN.

Second Day—Monday, Jan. 31.

[From our Special Reporter] Christchurch, Yesterday. The weather to-day was not so plea sant as yesterday, the sun being ex ceedingly hot, and a nor’-wester threatening, and sometimes blowing rather stiffly. Slight joined Murdoch, Fuller and the younger Frith bowling. The first two overs brought up the century, and shortly after the bowlers changed ends. Four byes from Fuller followed, and then there was some very cautious play until 120 went up, when C. Frith relieved Fuller, Slight received a very nasty blow from AY. Frith, and had to retire for a time, Jarvis taking his place at the wickets, but did not stop long, being caught by Secretan at point in a manner that would have done credit to any of the Austra lians. 4 —0—124. Boyle joined his captain, and at his first bat a chance was lost by the. bad, fielding of the Christchurch team ;—Beard in this case being the culprit. Murdoch scored a couple off the next ball, and Ashby took up the bowling

at the north end, sending down a maiden. Off his next, Murdoch got a single, and Boyle made a pretty cut to leg for 4. Loose fielding again was a loss to Christchurch, and the Australian captain scored a run he oughtn’t to for an overthrow. .Boyle then relieved things by sending one away to leg for 4 —out of bounds. 140 on the tele graph. As the figures rose on the board the circle was painfully quiet, and the Canterbury players and backers looked blue rtnd disheartened. Mur doch then got a 3 by another sample of bad fielding on Cotterill’s part, and an easy catch was missed when Boyle gave a chance. After this the game again took a monotonous character, till Boyle sent one of Frith’s to the south bounds along the v carpet for 4.

It was a long straight drive, and called forth loud applause. Murdoch sent the next for a couple in the same direction. 150 up. Silent circle, and heavier countenances. The bowling was again changed, Beard taking Frith’s place, and his first ball was sent away by Boyle for 4 ; the ; second,getting the same treatment; and a couple more off the same over sent the score up to 160. 2 to Murdoch and Ito Boyle was the result of Frith’s next over, and Murdoch sent another 4 away to the pavilion. 170 up, and of which Mur dock had totted 89, with half : an-hour left to make the century before ’lunch at 2. Boyle turned round to one of Beard’s and played it away to leg for a couple, • cutting the next for 2. Murdoch got one off Beard’s next over, and he and Boyle now appeared, to be inseparable. Luck went with them' also, for Secretan missed a difficult but not impossible catch in Beard’s next over, and Mur doch, whose life was thus saved, marked his deliverance by scoring 1 off Frith, and 1 off Beard. Boyle joined the rejoicing by sending Beard to square leg for 4. The admiration of Mur doch’s batting was intense, for he hit everything that was sent up to him, but now he began to play a little more loosely, and showed signs of giv ing chances. Boyle’s penchant seemed hitting to square-leg, and it was re marked that notwithstanding the fre quency of his hits in that direction, no effort was made to field. Off the next ball of Beard’s, Boyle made a hit that should have been his last, as he put an easy catch right into Billy Frith’s hands, who, however re fused his opportunity, and the fun

went on. As a sort of criticism on Billy’s “ butteriness” Boyle sent a ball of W. Frith’s away to mid-on for 5. It was a beautiful carpet slider, and the 5 was got before it was returned, not having reached the boundary. The bowling having been fairly collared, Secretan took Beard’s place at the north end, and after bowling one, the ddjournment took place at 2. At three o’clock play was resumed. The wind was still blowing from the north-west, but lightly, and it only served to tone down what would other wise have been a most disagreeable day. In Frith’s first over Boyle was caught in the slips by Fuller in the neatest manner, and for his smartness the fielder received a fair round of applause.

- 5 2 — T 9S- Palmer succeeded Boyle, and Secretan sent down a maiden to Murdoch. Murdoch scored one off Ashby’s next, and the remainder of the over was resultless. In the next over Murdoch got a couple for a hit that should only have yielded x, owing to the looseness of the fielding. Presently he added another 2, and put 200 up. The displaying of the second century brought out a round of applause. Pal mer now got a single off Frith, and 'Murdoch followed with a couple. Sec retan sent, down three resultless balls, but in his next he got Palmer’s wicket dead on the double. 6— 3 —202. The crowd had now increased by the addi tion of many visitors from the country, and the number seemed to be not much short of Saturday’s lot. Blackham re placed Palmer, and almost immediately after Murdoch put Frith well away to the mid-on for 5, bringing his score up to over the century, which fact elicited a round of applause. A ball or two was stone-walled by Mur doch, and then he got an ugly knock on the knee from Secretan, and was pros trated for a time. Picking up, however, he worked out the over, and Blackham faced Firth, sending him to leg for 2, and then to slip for 1. Blackham then drove Secretan for 1, and Murdoch fol lowed with a magnificent in-drive for 4. The game ran s'owly for a time, till Blackham got 2 off Secretan which he fol lowed up with a 3 off the same bowler, .driven straight to mid-on. Firth’s secorid ball in the next over was sent to square leg for 4 by Blackham, Murdoch getting 2 off Secretan in . the next, Blgckr ham 1 a eoUple 6ffFrith, and Murdoch a 2 off Secretan’s next. Frith then bowled a maiden; and then the event of the day came off, Secretan sent up a tempting 1 to Murdoch; who hit ifless strongly than he meant To, and Secre tan caught it. The captain had thus to retire,'after making the finest score of the iridteb to date, H i. 7—111—231. The Australian captain was , loudly Tcheerprhas he returned to; the (pavilion, 'the 1 ovation being deserved by the

grandest display of scientific cricket that had been made. The removal of Murdoch seemed to take a weight off the hearts of the home team, for although he gave three chances, it may be said that his straight defence, and bold yet sure batting powers are un equalled in the colonies. Alexander followed, and Blackham got i off Frith’s next over, and a couple off Secre tan, but in Frith’s next over, Cotterill caught Alexander at short slip. 8 —o —236. Tobin filled his place, and his first hit sent Frith away for 4. Blackham got a single off Secretan, and Tobin cut him for another. Tobin now faced Frith, and received a maiden, after which Blackham scored r off Secretan, making room for Tobin, who followed suit, both being square-leg hits. Blackham cut Frith for a single, and Billy Frith came on again with his left handers in place of Secretan and bowled a maiden. Blackham spooned one to long on, but there was no one there to take the chance offered. The next over produced a single for Black ham, and Tobin nibbled another off Frith. Then the popular wicket keeper came down like death on one of Frith’s, and sent it away out of bounds for 4. In a ball or two he repeated the dose for another 4, and then Tobin got a single. I have oc casionally mentioned instances of loose fielding; be it observed that I have only noted the bad fielding up till now, and hasten: to state that there were far more instances of real smartness in the field than them were of muffing, and taking the fifteen all round they made a very presentable appearance -indeed, and some feats could not have been ex-

celled by the Australians themselves. After three maidens, Tobin snicked W. Frith for a single. Another spell of careful play for a couple of overs, and Tobin scored another two, and Black ham got a single off Fuller, and Tobin 2off W. Frith. .Things were slow npw fof a time, till Frith began to bowl slows, and the mattceuvre resulted in Blackham being beautifully caught by Cotterill at long-on. 9 —38 —270. Slight, recovered from his hurt, took his place again at the wickets and got a single. The change of wickets brought him round to Frith’s slows, and two 4’s resulted in succession. Slow play for a time, and then Tobin drove Frith for a single, and Fuller for the same. Slight stole a run at the change, and in the same over was nearly out, but it was a “bum,” and he went on again. The third century was wanted, and a careful defence was now sustained so that runs ' came slowly, and singles taken were very carefully judged, Tobin added another single, and then Slight sent one of Fuller’s away for 2, and followed for a single. Another, bum” 'saved Slight, and Ashby came for'Fuller, and bowled, the first wide in the match. Tobin scared a single off his next, and the rest of the over Went for nothing. Slight got another single off W. Frjth and one off Ashby, and, later on, got a 4 off Ashby, The home, team were now well together, and: saved many runs, Secretan being particularly prominent

at point. ' Slight ■ added another single,/ and was then Unfortu nate enough to get another hurt —a nasty blow on the arm. He rubbed a while, and then pluckily stood up to his work. After a long stretch of desultory play, yielding nothing, Secretan again took the ball at the north end, relieving W. Frith, and Slight put his first away for 4. 300 up, amid loud and prolonged applause, from, a circle of people fully as dense as* that of Saturday. Slight put on another single off Secretan, and Tobin faced Ashby. 2 for a bye Were recorded, and Tobin put Ashby away to leg for 3, and Slight got 1 for a dribble to point, which Secretan fell over. A single to Tobin completed Secretan’s next over, and Slight got two singles from Ashby, and Tobin 1. Tobin sent Secretan away to leg for 3, another single came, and it was evi dent the batsmen meant to make a stand till time. C. Frith came on to bowl at the north end, and Slight drove him for 4. 320 up. Fuller relieved Ashby at the south end, but no change seemed to effect the cricket of the two Australians, who played cleverly in defying all attempts to dislodge them. W. Frith, the left-handed bowler, was the next change, replacing his brother, and after a run, was scored, and several overs had been bowled, Tobin was caught by W. Frith, and the innings closed at twenty minutes to six. 10—31—323. Australian Eleven.. Ist Innings.

Groube, cW. Frith, b C. Frith 42 Spofforth, b Fuller 3 M'Donnell, c Fowler, bW. Frith 7 Murdoch, c and b Secretan ... 11l Slight, not out ... ... ••• 45 A. Jarvis, c Secretan,,b W. Frith 0 Boyle, c Fuller, b Ashby ... 32 G. Palmer, b Secretan 3 Blackham, c Cotterill, bC. Frith 38 Alexander, c Cotterill, b Ashby 0 Tobin, c and bW. Frith ... 31 Byes ... ... ... ... 6 Leg-byea 4 Wide 1 Total ... 323 Bowling Analysis. —C. Frith, 100 balls, 11 maidens, 47 runs, 2 wickets; Fuller, 162 balls, 15 maidens, 62 runs, ! wicket; W. Frith, 211 balls, 24 maidens, 57 runs, 3 wickets ; Beard, 60 balls, 3 maidens, 38 runs ; Ashby, 156 balls, 9 maidens, 83 runs, 2 wickets, 1 wide ; Secretan, 68 balls, 5 maidens, 35 runs, 2 wickets.

To-day’s Play.

(By Telegraph.) ■ Christchurch, To-day. The game commenced at 12.10 p.m. Ollivier and Watson went to the wickets. ” Ollivier was bowled by Palmer. 1 —5 —12. Leach followed. Watson, after scoring 10, was bowled by Spofforth. • Secretan’s second ball was held by Boyle at mid on, 3 —o —l9. Hartland succeeded. He was missed twice. Leach w r as bowled by Spofforth. 4—6— 12, Corfe followed, and bit the demon to the boundary for 4, but stepped out to the first bg.ll from Pal mer, and was stumped. 54 —51. Reeves came, making 4, and was then bdwled by Palmer. 6 —4 —6 i. Ashby followed, and was caught ; and -bowled , by Palmer, 7—3—67. W. JJrith was bowled by Palmer, without scoring. 8—o —69. : Play was resumed after'lunch at 3 o’clock, and Hartland was immediately

caught by Jarvis off Spofforth. 9 — 2 S-75. -75. Cotterill was caught by Slight after scoring two singles. 10 —5 —85. Redmayne joined Fowler, and runs came apace until Fowler was well caught by Spofforth, after making 24. Later. The Canterbury team are all out for 134 runs.

THE PLAINS WATER SUPPLY.

We are now able to give the portion of report which we were compelled to omit from yesterday’s issue : Mr. Walker proposed the toast of “ The Visitors,” coupled with the name of the Mayor of Ashburton, and in doing so he was happy that the County Council had been able in some mea sure to help the borough, by means of water, to improve its sanitary condi tion.

Mr. Wright proposed the health of the County Council Engineer, Mr. Baxter. He did not think the Council had dis played too much enthusiasm, for a work like this required the greatest enthusiasm that could be infused into it. At first the work had not met with much opposition, but all difficulties have been happily overcome, and he thought that we might congratulate ourselves on the work already done. The work was, however, really com plete as far as MetUven, and that ere long earthenware pipes would have to be used where now there was only an open channel.

The Return Journey. In our report last evening it was, of course, impossible for us to allude to the return journey, as it was made at too late an hour for our winged mes sengers to bear any tidings of even the first portion of the trip from the dam to Methven. As we said last night, the party left the dam shortly after three o’clock, all the vehicles being well loaded. On arriving at the portion of the race which it was necessary to cross, several of the pas sengers essayed to walk, with a view of lightening the load, as the dip of the race necessitated a very heavy pull for the horses. And it was here that some amusement was furnished ; for those who had offered to walk found water in the race running bank high, and, as thevehicleswere allacross, there were but two Ways of crossing, either by wading or accepting the offer of several horse men and riding over double-banked; Several accepted this offer, the conse quence being that one pair of riders were, much to their disgust and their friends’ amusement, quietly shunted from their position on the horse’s back to the ground, no one being hurt. After this all went well, and Methven was shortly reached, where refreshments were indulged in, and at five o’clock a number left in the train, arriving in Ashburton at the usual train hour. Those who did not leave by the train, after allowing time for their horses to be fed, left in Mr. M‘Rae’ drag and coach. Leaving Methven the race was again the cause of an ; adventure, for one of our townsmen was carefully deposited in the race through the driver of the vehicle being somewhat rash, and driving through at a pace not at all calculated to agree with the springs of any conveyance or the com fort of the. passengers. At a short dis tance from Methven, Mr. Cameron’s (Clunes), crops of wheat where noticed as being particularly fine, but on reach ing Messrs. Gould and Cameron, all were agreed that for extent and quality, their crops would rank amongst the best in the county, on one field no less than ten reapers and binders were seen at work. After a pleasant drive of some three hours the party arrived in Ash burton very well pleased and satisfied with their day’s outing. There have been many conjectures and opinions passed as to when the water should reach Dundas, a distance of thirty-two miles from its starting-point, but Mr. Baxter informs us that in his opinion Thursday at the latest will see the water stretching over the whole thirty-two miles.

Suicide. —Professions do not predispose to suicide, but instruction does. No man kills himself because of his trade, but a good many men kill themselves because of their knowledge. Not only has the re vival of suicide almost exactly coincided in time with the modern extension of schooling, but suicide is now most abundant in the very regions in which schooling is most expended. Two Comets Predicted. —Two magni ficent comets are prognosticated for next year by an Indian writer, who, according to the Times of India, announces that these heavenly bodies will be visible from April Ist to June 12th, will stretch across one-fourth of the heavens, that they occupy 2,025| years in their revolution, and that they eclipse the brilliancy of the mid-day sun, and form the original Light of Creation, the light with which the Genesis 'of the world opened ; thus ful filling all prophecy, and settling biblical chronology beyond dispute. Beaconsfield and Thackeray. —Much bitterness has been excited in some quarters by Lord Beaconsfield’s caricature of Thackeray, whom the great satirist’s admirers profess to identify beneath the traits of “ St. Barbe,” the journalist in “Endymion.” The uncomplimentary sketch >s thought to be intended as tin Ex-Premier’s revenge for Thackeray’s burlesque novel of Conlingsby. The like ness in the case, as in all other cases, has been purposely distorted so as to leave room for denial by ‘lie noble author that any portrait was intended, hut everybody

recognises the original. “ Gushy,” the rival of whom “ St. Barbe ” is always talking disparagingly, is taken to be Dickens. Lord Beaconslield has under taken to throw people off the scent by amalgamating his characters thus “ Vigo ” is made to be a combination of Poole the tailor and of George Hudson, the Sunderland railway king, once omni potent in English society, but who died in comparative obscurity some years ago. This artifice, however, will not save him from severe attacks by the wrathful friends of Thackeray and Dickens.— Corr. New York World Holloway's Pills. —At the change of Reasons many persons feel oppressed without 'knowing why they are so—they are aware something within them is wrong, though they cannot detect the defected organ. A few doses of these powerfully purifying and eminently cooling Pills will restore regularity to every part of the system—will cast Out all impurities lurking in : ihe ’frame, and will throroitghly expel the last traces of disorder, however poscure its causae.. With Holloway’s medicine Relief is'insured without risk ; erroneous aption is rectified without disturbing natural jsgijlarity,.* health Is re-mstated, and with it return the cheerful feelings which unmistakably tell the invalid that all within is right again.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE IRISH QUESTION.

To the Editor. Sir, — The interest which you manifest in the state of Ireland induces me to address you on this occasion. You fall into the error of most people who are either ignorant of the state of Ireland, or who allow their prejudices to eclipse their reason. In the first place, you assume that there is anarchy in Ireland. This is' noli ftfo* 1 case. You also assume that the / Land Leaguers and Home Rulers are relpbnsible for that anarchy. But I my bad state of Ireland is owing te the. had laws forced on it by bad ErigHahmen..«vd _ Scotchmen ; and on them must lie the responsibility. ' ' J f One hundred and twenty Bill's were, brought into the House of by Irish members with the view of im proving the condition of Iriihmelt but?' they were obstructed out of the House by I. English and Scotch members—not ona of; > them was allowed to pass! Can you show any obstruction like that on the part I of the Irish members? If yon cannot, would you kindly “remote the beam?” This persistence in has ated the Irish people and they nave revolted against it. Then,/ Mr. Editor, condemn the makers of bad laws, and not their oppressed victims* rr.r, sYpniiM sympathy is entirely with the brutal savages who have for ages tortured the Irish people.: You never ,‘dcnmfnco the conduct of suph miscreants (as L >rd

Leitrim, and you forget to tell your readers that the lives and properties the peasants were never secure nipm the landlords, sapported by ‘Britishbayonets. Yoiishow plainly .the sensed feel towards Ireland by hoping that Irian-.*, men will be tried in London, or say in Glasgow, Where; thejrfwill 1 get .LHjfcrftoi G justice from their bitter enemies. Lord Granville said at Hanley that there are fewer outrages pn life in Ireland'than ito England. Compare the. statement wisk ' your article of the 27th inafa . Rhatfaabeo'// in one London paper particulars i of :ten; K murders or murderous outrages 5 but I am-- not so influenced by prejudices to* pro nounce, the ( whole English pejbjfle qpWafdly assassins,' nor to ask that the oriminaLi should be tried -in Duh Kn. ’-Tlhafe: notT yet seen your denunciation of the Lan cashire rioters, nor have you;oried out'for* A any draconic legislation to crush them. In my humble opinion,. tha toDti ; ofypur articles is entirely out of place here.' Your paper is read and supported by .all-classes of the commoriity—one class, 1 'think, should not be made the object of your spleen or prejudice! Whatever be *lje failings of Irishmen, fidelity to those wfto treat them well is a marked feature in T their character. They have never, Judas-dike, sold for a sum of money any man to wliom owed allegiance. Can the same be said 'bf other people who are sp fond of denotsiCv‘’' ing them ? I have no desire to trespass fuijmer’ your space, but will ask you, in justice to— my very much calumniated. gOU?to»«|i£r to insert this for*— < ; * J^uunn. l -*-*- [)Ye have never condemned .tjie.»• Irish nation, nor could we ig|jors facfrl that a vast majority compare very favof- ** ably with their neighbors ; there .is a section—which we referred to in dur issue of the 27th inst,, and which, unfortunately, has its contemporary in every country— which allows the indulgence of‘the worst impulses to bring discredit upon ihe nation at large. As regards the respective extent of crime. in England. and Ireland, .the difference in population- would /of ootirfa have a material influence, but, in any case, the class of outrages we condemn are not of the ordinary criminal.charairter. We admit that the British Parliament has committed some errors in the government of Ireland, but we are sure pol Tear, J pendent, and every other well-regulated Irishman will recognise the inefficacy of the present form of agitation.— Ed., Guardian.] ■ - . ; ; ,_ ,] [/ ViV3

Can Women Drive ?

— 7— “ Isn’t it rather singular that women never leaxn how to drive a horse properly I” remarks some irate man as he inspects a tired animal and finds the bridle over its ears and the bit half way down its throat.. ‘'But women can drive,” ‘cries champion of the sex; “ Don’t they drive seven or eight miles . to: market I .with! vegetables or loads of hay ? T Don’t ,they take their babies out to'ridb whenever '*■ they can get hold of a< hprso I Why, there was never a woman who couldn’t drive, and some of thenr ean handle a horse much better than their can. ” ■ ; ; I ; /. “ Can women drive I and-, do y<m'|et T them handle your best' ” were questions put to a good-natured livery keeper by an ini crested party.*j / “ Drive !” he answered, “ I should think they could ; but as to letting them our best horses, that is another matter. We have horses in our stables few men could drive. We keep what we call safe hones for ladies’ use—the kind that will’go any£ 1 ~ where if you just guide them —old family » nags, sensible enough to trot along ;an& mind their own business, and not, fret if, v they are pulled two ways at once. “ Do you object to letting horses out for women to drive J” U ; r S

“ No, indeed ; we have from twelve to' l fifteen ladies a week come to ns. foz horses,' and we give them good ones, too ; but, somehow, women fret horses ’ when! ’-they* drive them, so we don’t care then— g high spirited animals. Now, look at that ’ sorrel,” pointing to one from* which- the harness had just been removed. “I let that horse this morning tq:» bit t erf a woman with wrists no bigger than aayJwo fingers. I didn’t want to let it go, because it’s such- an ugly puller, il-: told f her it had a mouth like iron, but she saisJl she wanted to take an old aunt that was visiting her out to see the town, and she drove off quietly enough. But half an hour after I saw her coming down Wood ward Avenue like a streak of lightning, everybody running to get out of | and the old aunt hanging on for dear lire. She just had the lines wound round thoae little wrists, and braced her feet * tdf f the dash board, and when she came to » * ! corner, whisked around it bn one wheel. The rig came in all right, biit won’t get its breath for a week.’ r “ Don’t they often, meet with accidents and have a smash-up ?” “ No. It is curious, but a . woman will take a team through a dozed hairbreadth escapes and bring it back .all. right ;W« - have any amount of trouble with who take our best rigs, get on a spree, and break things all to pieces. A woman is either more cautious, or she will call upon , every man in sight to help herbut’of ‘ ' scrape. They are more apt to lote. tljeq:; i T heads in a crowd or collision, hut there is most always some special providence at hand to help them. If you notice, the most, disastrous runaways happen when some man has the reins. ” talk . developed the fatk that women were hoi f. considerate in their management of ’ * horses. They forget to' blanket them in

winter and ,tp tie rthem in thp shade ilt' summer. They sometimes use the reins as hitching straps, and have a settled dia*, like to learning proper names for* harness. , Not one in'a hundred could teD the' ence between the surcingle and tKß’mir- ; tingale, or had the least idea tp which ep,d ® f tbe anipWl the^ruppec r and if compelled to divest a horse of its trappings,' would undo every Ip) \ the service, and ■ take the collar off ovep' the annual’s head!* to hfl pf , whl6fi < 1 intelligent beast TStlhmit,-.*s charme4 byheing the process, in the bewitching tones of woman’s voice.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1881.



. Special "/Advertisements. Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT' of the above. Cream, Blue, and. Hand - made Notepapers ; Ruled/ Plainj .Fancy, and Repp ditto, Goad'Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp; and others:! Fens • Gillott’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. JONES, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. ' 710



T H E BEST VALUE FOP. READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING . Yd 'i :■ wanofactorbd. by | THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, ■Which can bo purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. lAotfsahds bit sie discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Best Value for Ready Mopey. Ashburton Branch EAS T STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* I; , 'Manager. methven AGENCY. J ORGAN and HlHßSjGeneral Store ••• keepers, Methven, are authorisep for the Ashburton Guardian. ’ hscrihecs wiR p|ease ges theirpapera the Agents in future. Orders en ..to them will receive prompt ittention.



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IN BANKRUPTCY. In thb District Court of Christchurch, Holden at Ashburton. In the matter of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1876, and the several Acts amend ing the same, and of the bankruptcy of WILLIAM PAULING, of the Hinds, farmer, a debtor. THIS IS TO NOTIFY, that William Pauling, of the Hinds, in the Pro vincial District of Canterbury, farmer, has this day filed a statement that he is un able to meet his engagements with his creditors. The first meeting of creditors will be held at the District Court House, Ashburton, on MONDAY, the seventh day of February, 1881, at 11 o’clock in the forenoon. Dated this first day of February, 1881. W. MARTIN, Clerk of the Court. Branson & Purnell, Solicitors for the debtor. 33a