SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Go-Ahead, s.s., from Oamaru. Jane Douglas, s. s., from Kaikoura and Wellington. Hinemoa, 0.G.5., from Wellington, Bona, schooner, from Kaipara. Vision, brig, from Kaipara. Sailed. Yesterday. Hinemoa, C.G.S., for New Plymouth. Bingarooma, s.s., for Auckland, via 'way ports. Go-Ahead, s.s., for Wellington and Napier. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Wellington, Yesterday. Sailed—Hawea, for for North; Wallace, for Nelson and West Coast. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Sailed—Stella, Government steamer, for Southern lighthouses; Albion, for Melbourne. _________

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office. Friday Evening. We have to report a much steadier business in all kinds of produce during the past week. Prices have in no way receded, and a fair de mand exists for wheat and oats. Owing to a rise in the Melbourne market, the latter cereal has been eagerly enquired for, but only very good samples meet with anything like a good figure. Large quantities of grain still keep coming in from the country districts, and as soon as storage is available it seems to be quickly taken advantage of. In Port Ly' telton large qnant’ties of grain of all kinds await shipment, and in all probability lh ; s will soon be forthcoming. Good clean samples of seed wheat meet with ready sale at remunerative prices, and several of our merchants here have some excellent samples on band. An increased demand for good samples of barley has caused holders to refrain from selling at present, as they anticipate a rise shortly. Ploughing opera tions are being pushed on vigorously through out the country, and this splendid weather has been the means of making all kinds of feed very plentiful. Ashburton Retail List. • Butter, inferior to best, per lb, qd to is; eggs, per dozen, is qd ; cheese, prime quality, per lb, 4d to fid ; bacon, prime smoked, per lb, is; hams, in cloth, per lb, is to is 2d ; flour, in bags, per loolbs, 12s; oatmeal, per 25lbs, 4s ; lard, per lb, yd.

Auctioneers’ Reports. Mr K. F. Gray reports for month ended 31st May, as. fol'ows : —Business during the month has been fairly brisk, all kinds of slock having- an upward tendency, owing no doubt to the continuance of fine wealhsr, and feed being abundant. At Winchester Fair on Wednesday, 4th May, there was a large attendance, and every lot entered was disposed of at thefcllowing prices:—Bs fat sheep, 1 is fid; 185 fat; ewes, lis fid; 15 yearling calves, L2; $ cows, 235; 13 pigs, 16s. On May 7th, on account of:Mr Miller, he sold a lot of dairy cows at prices ranging from L2 10s to L 6 10s ; pigs, 17$ fid to 35s 1 fowls, etc., fetching fair prices. On-Wednesday, May nth, he held his usual fortnightly sale of stock at bis.yards when a good supply of cattle were yarded with a total absence of sheep. Thcfo! lowing prices were realised :—Fat caffle from L/.-ips to Lq. Beef he quotes at 22s fid per loolbs. $ steers, L 6; I coW and calf, L$ ; 1 bull, L 3 ; 4 heifers, JL+Js; 3 do, Lz 15s ; 3 cows at from L 3 to LS ms; 5 fat pgs, L2 ss; 3 do. L2; 8 weaners, 13s fid ; 1 fat sow, 355; 12 bacon pigs, 255. Horses—l mare, aged, L$ ; 1 unbroken coll, Ll 4 16s; 1 yearling fil'y, L 7 ; l Bay mare, Lq. On May 16th he held a sale of furniture, etc., < which was well attended, and prices obtained were very satisfactory to owners. Ob May iqth, on account of the trustees in W. Robinson’s estate, he held a sale of blacksmith’s tools and stock, which was well attended, - all lols were cleared, and good prices were obtained. On May 25th, at his usual fortnightly sale of stock at his yards, there was a fair attendance of buyers, but owing to several other large sales taking place on the same day, there was very liitle stock yarded. Fat cattle were in good demand, '2 steers fetch ing L? ios; 1 doi, L? ; 2 do., LS 10s; 13 do., L 6 2s‘fid; 2 stores, L 4; 4 do., L 3 17s fid; I do), L2 Bs. He has also sold privacy during the month 680 lambs 6s; 20b fat sheep, 13s fid; 600 cross-bred wethers, ifis fid. Property—He has ■ sold privately and by auction during the past month, on behalf of Mr* Powell, s^-acre section and lean-to in Tetenka, at LBS; also Mr Robinson's house and two sections at L 141; also 2 sections in Andrewviffe township, at LiS each. Produce —He quotes potatoes at L2 15s to L 3 per ton; feed oats, is yd to is qd, according to sample; seed, Canadians, from is lodto 2s id; wheat, 3s Sd to 3sqd; flour, bran, sharps, etc., at former quotations.

Messrs H. Matson and Co. report on the live stock &c.,' for the week ending Thursday, June 2nd, 1881, as follows: Yesterday’s sale at Addington presented the the largest supply of sheep penned at these yards for several months past. The increase was most marked in stores, of which there was a fair entry, and, taking prices all round for the last men ; ioned, there was a slight improve ment on late ruling rates. The demand was good, and all lots were sold. Amongst others we placed a line of i.ocd very medium long woo’ed hoggets at 9s, and about 400 shorn h oggets at the same price. In mutton there was just sufficient for trade requirements with out glutting the market, competition, after the first few lines, being well maintained through out. The quality, taken as a whole, was scarcely good as last week, but to the greater part ofttbe entry no exception could be taken. For the best lines of crossbreds prices ruled from 15s 6d40 21s; medium weight lots 13s to 14s 6d. or a shade lower than last week’s quotations. The tat cattle sale was noi eworthy as presenting' an average supply of the most inferior quality beef we have seen penned this season; in fact, a great deal of what had to be accepted yesterday as beef was really Hide better than fresh-conditioned store cattle. The cause of this, is evident —the scarcity of autumn feed is telling its tale, and for some time to come|good beef will be the exception, and not the rule. Judging by yesterday’s sale, very Ann nf Vi-jft cnnnlipd themselves from

outside, and the few pens of decent quality met with a brisk sale at decidedly improving values. There were also buyers for the inferior classes at proportionate rales, and in point of clear ance the sale was the most satisfactory held for some time. In store cattle there is very little doing, and for the few lots that change. hands - low prices have to be ac cepted. The supply of pigs has wonderfully mien off, and, as a natural consequence, prices have improved considerably. The totals yarded for the day comprised 8,844 sheep, 552 head of cattle, and 140 pigs, of which our entry included 3,306 sheep, 302 head of cattle, and 76 pigs. In fat sheep our principal sales were—23s crossbred wethers at iss 6d, 60 mixed sexes at 14s, 53 wethers at ißs, 280 ewes at 13s 2d, 47 mixed at 14s 3d, 65 at 12s 6d, 60 at 13s 6d, no at 12s. Stores—B7 mixed crossbreds at ns, 80 merino ewes at 4s 3d, 914; crossbred hoggets at 9s, 82 cull do at 4s fid, 120 crossbred ewes .at gs 6d, 180 do at Z2s 3d, 287 shorn hoggets at 9s, 382 merino wethers at 7s gd,. &c. Fat cattle—2 at L 7 los, .3 at L 7 js, 2 at L 8 10s, 4 at L 6 10s, 5 at L 5 12s 6d, sat L$ 2s 6d, 12 at L$ 12s 6d, 3 at Lj SB, II atLs js, 3at L 6 17s 6d, 4at L 6 15s, 4at L 5, 3atL7 2s 6d, &c. Stores—7 atL5, 12 yearlings at Li ss, 5 mixed at L2 I < 10s, 48 at L3l 40 at Li 16s 6d, Sat 15s, 5 at L 3 15s, and a number of springers at from L 4 lOS toLB. ;

Country Sales. —On Tuesday, at the Cor poration .yards, we held our usual fortnightly of Uve stock, <kc., for the Ashburton district. . The Queen’s Birthday being on the regular sale -day, the sale was postponed for a - Week, which, sot being as well advertised as it 'Ought to'have been, no doubt, caused the ' attendance of farmers, &c. There was, ' however, a large entry of stock, of, which our ; entry was'3,sl4 sheep, 68 head of cattle, and CA pigg. In sheep we sold 328 merino wethers fe. at 9s 3d, 460 do, 8s lod ; 272 crossbred mixed !r *beep,. 129 jd ; 40 fat crossbreds, 14s gd; 180 ISatoo. wethers, 7s gd; 174 merino wethers, s'fta 2d ; 100 crossbreds at 10s gd; 460 merino ; -4jijrfes,' 48 3d, &c. In cattle we disposed of ~'niicjt of our ,entry, fat stock realising fairly f good prices, whilst stores were much neglected; Xbe same applies to pigs.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1881.

TOWN E DITION. {lssued at 4.30 p.m.l _,

A Protest. The Dunedin Evening Star, on Tuesday last, published a report of the steeplechase meeting here, which it acknowledges as from the Mail. Evi dently there is a mistake somewhere ; wo think our contemporary is in error as to the journal from which it is extracted, as it is a verbatim copy of what appeared in our issue of Friday, and is no more like our contemporary’s report of the follow ing day than is chalk like cheese. Serious Accident. A man named Olsen Neilson met with a nasty accident to-day near the creek just below the Spread Eagle Hotel. It appears that he was driving a wagon loaded with timber, and while attempting to put the blinkers on a young horse which was in the shafts, the shaft struck Neilson, and knocked him down. The horses took fright, and the wheels went over the poor fellow’s leg, breaking it very badly. Mr W. H. Puddicombe, who was on his way to Ashburton, picked the injured man up and conveyed him in his trap to the Hospital, Arrested. —McManus, the person who escaped from the Winchester lock-up, was arrested at Rakaia to-day by Constable Rowse, and was forwarded to Timaru by this evening’s train. Are We!to Stay Herb?— We, have to acknowledge the receipt- of a pamphlet under the above heading, from the editor, Mr H. J. Sealey, of Timaru. It deals with the Public Works policy of New Zealand of 1870 considered specially with reference to the settlement of the Crown lands and incidence of taxation. The title conveys the object of its jurisdiction, and altogether the pamphlet is well written and well worth perusal. “Happy Hours.”— The Hart family intend giving a performance on Saturday and Monday evening next in the Town Hall. Their performances are well spoken of everywhere, and they should secure bumper houses here on each occa sion. Mr Walter Kerby assists, and we should advise those who want to spend a happy time to be present at both enter tainments. Civil Cases. —At the R.M. Court to day the following civil action was decided: Dawson v. Tulley. Claim L2O, damages incurred by destruction of a stack of grain by fire, originating by the action of the defendant. Mr Branson foa, the plaintiff, and Mr Crisp for defendant. The evidence for the plaintiff showed that the defendant and another man during last month took a contract to clear the Waterton cemetery of tussocks, which adjoins the plaintiff’s homestead. In stead of cutting the tussocks out with spades} and carting same away, they set fire thereto, and this spread to plaintiff ’s land and destroyed a stack of grass seed hay. The damage done amounted, in plaintiff’s estimation, to about LSO, but he now sought to recover only L2O there of. There was about 200 bushels of grass seed in the stacks, which at market value at the time it was stacked would realise 3s per bushel. At the present time it would be worth 50 per cent. more. Judgment was given for amount claimed with costs L 3 6s.

St. Stephen’s Vestry Meeting.— The usual monthly meeting was held in Mr Gundry’s office on Wednesday after noon. There were present—The Incum bent, Messrs Jameson, Gundry (church wardens), Messrs Bullock, Wood, Ward, Ferryman, Bean, and Pooka (Vestrymen). It was resolved to seat the north tran cept of the St Stephen’s Church, and Messrs Hands, Jameson, and Fooks were appointed to carry out the work. Mr Ward moved that the resolution re dis missal of the church-cleaner, passed at the last meeting, be rescinded. Mr Gundry seconded it pro forma. After some dis cussion, Mr Gundry proposed as an amendment, “ That G. Vaulk bo appointed, cleaner and bellringer, and that the dismissal of the former cleaner be approved, and that she receive three months’ wages in lieu of notice." Mr Wood seconded, and on being put, the amendment was carried by seven to one. After some further business had been disposed of, the meeting adjourned till Monday afternoon. Masonic Concert.— The practices for this concert have been well attended, the utmost energy being shown by those who have given their services. Quite new. solos and some very pretty part songs have received careful practice by the various ladies and gentlemen who are to take part in the entertainment, co that we may safely predict one of the best concerts to which it has been our pleasant task to listen to for some time.

The Electric Light. —The Lyttelton Times this morning says : —We under stand that certain influential gentlemen in Christchurch are in communication with the patentees of the Edison Electric Light, with the view to the formation of a company to supply Christchurch, and New Zealand generally, with electric light. The obvious advantages, and free dom from fire risks, by this mode of lighting, and consequent reduction of cost of insurance, will so readily com mend themselves to to the community at large, that we have no doubt that as soon as the scheme is submitted to the public it will readily bo taken up, so that we may look at no distant date upon coal gas as a thing of the past. A Gay Deceiver. —A singular marriage is reported to have taken place at Auck land this week. A long-engaged pair were to have been united in tne bonds of wedlock on Tuesday, but when the bride groom came to be looked for it was found that he had just married his fiancee's sister, a girl of sixteen years. The other girl had her outfit prepared, and is now overwhelmed with grief. The Ho wen a. —This vessel is still on the beach at the Waitara.

Dunedin Exhibition. —The opening of the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition has been postponed until the 14th instant. It has been decided to telegraph to the. Premier asking if the Ministry were pre pared to assist the promoters if they for warded an invitation to the members of both Houses to be present at the opening ceremony, or shortly afterwards]

The Wellington Exhibition. —At the recent Local Industries Evhibition held at Ashburton some very severe strictures were made regarding the compilation of the catalogue. It would appear from the following extract that the united wisdom of the committee of the Industrial Exhi bition in Wellington has not been more successful -in this direction. The local journal says :—lf the committee of the Athemeum are to be congratulated upon the success of the Industrial Exhibition, the catalogue they have issued is cal culated to" bring down on their devoted heads the anathemas of sundry exhibitors and most visitors. The catalogue is a complete muddle. There are “ exhibits” in the list which do not appear in the building, and there are exhibits in the building which are omitted from the list. Then, again, some of the articles are numbered and others are not. The first number shown in the catalogue is 159, and after reaching No. 255, No. 1 begins. But these do not constitute all the sins of the committee so far as the preparation of the catalogue is concerned. In the list cf art works a picture, painted by Mr C. D. Barraud, is attributed to “a gentle man by the name of Brown.” Then other pictures limned by Messrs 0. D. Noel, and W. F. Barraud, Igglesden, and Brooks, are set down against the name of Mr H. Grant Lloyd, and works by Mr E. Brandon and W. H. Holmes are ac credited to Mr H. F. Rawson. These inaccuracies render the catalogue worse than useless, and render it necessary that it should bo withdrawn, and a correct one substituted without delay.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per rbuter’s agency.] Irish Land Bill. London, June 1.

In the House of Commons to-day, consideration of the Irish Land Bill in Committee was moved by Sir Stafford Northcote, who condemned the measure, and denounced in strong sterms the feebleness of the Irish policy of the Government. No progress was made with any of the clauses in the Bill.

Statejof Ireland. The London press, in discussing the present state of affairs in Ireland, are almost unanimous in recommend ing the Government to take stops to completely suppres the Land League. Intelligence from Ireland continues to report serious affrays between the police and the people at various places over the evictions of tenants, and the state of the country is daily becoming more disturbed. A Small Loan- Tenders are invited to-day, on behalf of the New South Wales Government, for a loan of L 2,000,000, to bear in terest at the rate of 4 per cent.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per re uter’s agency. ] Mr Berry and his Reform. Melbourne, To-day, • In the Legislative Assembly last night the Reform Bill was again under consideration, and after further debate the Bill was passed, the amendments of the Legislative Council being adopted, save the alteration of the franchise qualification. A clause was .contained in the Bill which originated in the Council for the abolition of plural vot ing, was also inserted. The latter, as passed by the Assembly, will now be sent to the Council for further con sideration, and the ultimate fate of the measure is uncertain. The South Australian Parliament. Adelaide, June 2.

The South Australian Parliament was opened to-day by Sir William Jervois. His Excellency’s speech on the occa sion pointed out the necessity which exists for the reform of the Legislative Council, and it regretted the unfavor able harvest of the past season, but said that the revenue during the year had been maintained, and it was not an ticipated that any deficiency would be shown. At the same time an increase in expenditure would necessitate an in cease.ih revenue, and changes in the system of taxation. The reforms to be proposed would be in the direction of an increase in the property tax, and a modification of the tariff with a view to the relief of producers, especially in the Northern Territory. Fresh expendi ture would be necessary in connection with the waterworks in various towns in the colony. The speech then went on to enumerate the principal measures to be introduced by the Government dur ing the session. These will comprise Bills for the reform of the Civil Service, for the abolition of the pension system, for authority to construct the Trans continental Railway, for the amend ment of the Land Act, and the amend ment of the constitution of the Marine Board.

NEW ZEALAND

[ter tress association.] A Wreck. Auckland. To-day. ; The cutter Teazer has been wrecked on her voyage to the Wade. No lives are losl. She is owned by Mr M'Keown, of Auckland. A Stubborn Witness. Christopher Greenway, a wealthy land owner, was committed to prison for seven days, for refusing point-blank to answer a question put to him as a witness in an em blezzlement case against a man employed by the city nightsoil contractor. Good News for Wool Growers. Wellington, To-day. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report, under date London, June 1, that the wool competi tion is increasing, and quotations are on an average, £d to Id per lb. better than at the opening of the sales, excepting for the combing, washed, and scoured combing, fine greasy, fine washed, and fine scoured crossbreds, which remain unchanged. Up to date, 166,000 bales have been sold, 95,000 of which have been taken for exportation.

THE WRECK OF THE TARARUA.

The Court of Enquiry. [by telegraph.] Dunedin, To-day. The judgment in the Tararua enquiry was given to-day. The Court found that the wreck and loss of life was primarily caused through the failure of Captain Garrard to ascertain at 4 a.m. on April 29th the correct position of the ship, when the simple use of the lead would have told the distance off the shore. That the course in which the Tararua was steered from 1.30 to 4 a.m., assuming the compasses were magnetically correct, was an insecure course, and therefore im proper, especially as a heavy swell and ebb-tide tended to set the vessel in-shore, That at 4.35, when the second officer first called the captain’s attention to a noise of breakers, the vessel was off Slope Point, and in dangerous proclivity thereto, but the captain believed her to be off Waipapa Ppipt. '

That, although it is to bo regretted that the second officer did • not exercise the power which he had, to stop the engines if he found the ship in imminent danger when, for the second time, he fancied he heard breakers, we cannot come to the conclusion that his not doing so was a negligent omission. It was reasonable for him to suppose that the captain had as certained the position of the ship at four o’clock, and he might naturally bo ini pressed with the idea that the hearing of breakers could only be fancy, and took the action he did to report to the captain, in terms of his orders. At the same time we are of opinion that leaving the bridge at any time by an officer in charge of the deck, when the ship is under way, is fraught with extreme danger; and that Captain Garrard’s orders to his officers to call him personally were imprudent. That the immediate cause of the wreck and loss of life was the negligent failure of able seaman Weston in keeping a look-out. That after the vessel struck and filled the captain committed an error of judg ment in not placing the passengers in boats. The Court was of opinion that there were sufficient boats and life buoys in the Tararua, but, thought many lives would have been saved had the life-belts been available for the pas sengers and crew. In reference to the management of the boats, they thought the loss of the first officer’s might have been avoided by more skilful manage ment : but, although censuring Mr Lindsay for his lack of skill, they were not prepared to say that the casualty re sulting therefrom was caused by his wrongful act or default. They thought that assistance should have been rendered from the Bluff or Invercargill when inti mation of the wreck was first received, for no passenger vessel on the rocks could be considered in other than a dangerous position. Astonishment was expressed that the officers of the Tararua were igno rant of the deviation of the compasses, but in view of the peculiar discipline on board, the Court was not disposed to say to what degree, if any, this ignorance was attributable to their own neglect. Certi-

ficates of both officers were then returned. In conclusion, the Court made the follow ing recommendations : —First, That a light is urgently required' in the neigh borhood of the Waipapa Point; second, that all passenger vessels trading in the New Zealand waters fee compelled to carry life belts for the maximum number of the passengers and crew ; third, that a regulation be made compelling exercise in the management of boats, at stated intervals. In answer to a question, the Court said that as the captain had lost his life, there was no one against whom an order of costs could bo made.

ALLEGED ILLEGAL DETENTION OF PROPERTY.

At the R.M. Court this morning, the following case was heard before his Wor ship the R.M.—Henry Felton . was charged by John Goldberg, with the illegal detention of one box of fifteen wooden balls, a pack of cards, and a table cover of the value of L 6, the property of the said John Goldberg. Mr Branson appeared for the prosecu tion, Sergeant Felton conducting his own case.

Following the reading of the informa tion, the defendant asked for a nonajiit, on the grounds that he had not received notice of action from complainant, as re quired by the statute under which the in formation was laid. Mr Branson declined to bo nonsuited, pointing out that such course of proceed ings could not be entertained prior to the hearing of the evidence for the com plainant. His Worship conceded to Mr Branson’s opinion, and reserved the point raised by the defendant till following the hearing of the case for the prosecution. The complainant was put in the box, and, being sworn, deponed-r-I am a hawker. The defendant has in his posses sion a box containing fifteen marbles, a pack of cards, and a table cloth, my property. I was defen dant in an action under the Vagrant Act, for playing a pretended game of chance, heard on Saturday last; and on Tuesday I defended an action under the same Act for having no lawful means of support. Both charges were dismissed. Following my release I defen dant to give" up the property which was found on me when arrested. He gave me up Ll 7 odd, some bags, and other articles, declining to give me the box, marbles, and cards, saying he should destroy them. They are my property. The box would be worth about six shillings, the table cloth cost me L 4 odd, and the cards about a couple of shillings. Cross-examined by defendant What are the box and marbles used for? —Oh, several different things. I used them at racecourses and other places. Do you play a pretended game of chance with them ?—I play a game with them. What were the cards used for ?—Oh, we play amongst ourselves —for gambling in the train.

Are they honest cards ?—We use them for cribbage. But are they honest ?—I don’t know; we use them amongst ourselves for play ing when we’re going through to Dunedin in the train.

Are the box and marbles used for play ing an honest game ?—You can play with them as you like ; I don’t know. I know you can ; you can let out any ball you like ; but can you play an honest game with them I —l don’t know ; I suppose so. What do you use the cloth for I —For playing a game. And what do you call out ?—I don’t recollect. You don’t recollect ?—No, not forcer tain ; but I think it’s “1 to lon the red, 1 to 1 on the black, and 12 to 1 on the white.” And the box ; can’t you control the marbles in it ?—I don’t know. But can you play honestly with it 1 — Yes.

And you can play dishonestly ?—I don’t know if you can. Do you recollect my coming up to you at the Tinwald steeplechases on Friday last I—Yes.1 —Yes. What were you doing I—l was playing. Do you recollect ray asking you a question as to what the game was I—l1 —I don’t recollect. Do you remember what I said after I took the box ?—No, not all ; all I recollect was you took the box out of my hands, and told Mr Neill to arrest me. Were you ever convicted before ? Mr Branson : I object to this question. It has nothing to do with this subject. The man has served his term. You’ve no right to put such questions to him. His Worship—But, if not, the defend ant can give evidence of what he knows about any such conviction. Mr Branson—Just so, your Worship; let him. But the question is not a fit one.

Defendant—But I know him to be a vagrant, convict, and thief. He’s always under the police surveillance. Mr Branson—Well, I am perfectly will ing to take it in this way, your Worship. As regards this nonsuit point—let Sergt. Felton, if he can, produce any one authority which will warrant his deten tion of these goods. If he can do so, it is perfectly useless to go on. Sergeant Felton stated that he regarded the property in the same light as he would a forged cheque ; which, if found in a person’s possession, would certainly be retained by the police. It was the inten tion of the police to institute further pro secutions against the complainant, and fhis would have been done already but for .the sickness of an importantwitness. ! i

He retained the goods in question for purpose of proving this charge, as, did he give them up to Goldberg, they would cer tainly be destroyed. By giving them up he should be making himself an accomplice to vagrancy. He had known Goldberg for years as a thief and a vagrant.. He was a person who lived on prostitution, and wherever he went the.’ police received notice of his movements. He (Sergeant Felton) should send notice away to other police offices were he to leave the town to-day, and thus bis whereabouts was always in the hands of the police. Mr Branson said the goods could not be regarded id"the same light as a forged cheque, the former was valuable security, the latter worthless.

Sergt. Felton continued—lf he were to give the particulars of the proceedings to be instituted against complainant he would certainly leave the town. Mr Branson—This iSa new get up, this story of the lost witness.- Sergt. Felton—No it is not. I can call the constable to prove that for the past two days he has been looking for the witness wanted.

Mr Branson said he was quite prepared to withdraw the case provided Sergt. Felton produced any authority for hold ing the goods. It would probably be a new piece of nonsuit law to Sergt. Felton to learn that the words used in the Act under which he claimed his nonsuit speci fied that the person acting in pursuance thereof must necessarily detain the goods. Whether it was necessary.in this instance or not was a subject for the decision of the Bench. But detention was only neces sary in cases where the person considered that his action was honajide, and that the state of the facts rendered such detention plausible. He quoted from “ Bullen and Leake’s Precedents,” p. 759, viz. : “A person is to notice of acting under, or in pursuance, or in execution of his office, where he bona, fide believes in the existence of facts which, if existing, would justify his acting in pursuance of the statute, or in execution of his office — (Roberts v. Orchard, 2 H. and C., 769, 33L.J., Ex. 65 ; Leete v. Hart, L.R., 3 C.P., 322, 37 L.J.C., p. 157); and it seems there must be resonable grounds

for such belief;” and “but he is re sponsible for mistakes of law, so that if the law will not justify him upon the facts bona fide belie ved,he is’not acting in pursuance of the statute and from “ Addison dn Torts.” The law, as dis tinctly laid down in these cases, left it in the hands of his Worship to decide if Sergeant Felton believed the existing facts of the case would justify his deten tion of the'goods. ' No such bona fide belief existed, and no law or statute existed which would justify him in re taining these. This on the face of the facts that Goldberg had been twice ar rested and discharged- 1 Immediately after his dismissal he became an innopent person, ■ and no law existed, either in the colony or the mother country which would sanction the seizure by one person of another’s goods. The police maxim was that a man was guilty until proven innocent, but this was not to be, taken as a precedent, rather regard a'lharT as innocent until proven guilty. Before a person could claim notice of action, he must bring himself within the range of the cases cited. This Sergt. Felton couldnot do, therefore nond was He Stigmatises the plea ad vanced by the defendant as one more mean in character than rw;ould be.one of infancy. No matter what future action the defendant intended, question was, was the complainant entitled to the goods at the time the demand was ..made for them! The conclusion that Sergt. Felton had arrived at regarding the probable dis honest application of the articles fey the complainant did he regain possession could not be entertained in a consideration of the merits of the suit. There was no Act which allowed a man to be arrested in the street, for ' carrying a false pack of cards on his person, although one existed for the arrest of. anyone .carxying loaded Regarding' the defendant’s further supposition as to the’destruction of the articles by his client, - Well so much the better if they were such frightful instruments. He contended, first, that the defendant was not' entitled to any notice of action, and secondly, that as in forment had ‘gone through ‘his penalty for any offence ho might have committed he could no longer be called a convict. Sergt. Felton—Would your Worship turn to page 764 of “ Addison on Torts,” where it says, “ The words in clauses pf Acts of .Parliament requiring notice jpf[ action to be? given ’in' respect of anything done in pursuance of the Act or in execu tion of the powers thereof, apply to all cases were parties are intending to act. ”, You see, your Worship, “ Where they are, intending to act. ” Mr Branson—Well, go on. Sergt. Felton— c .‘ Intending to act upon powers given fey the statute'.” Mr Branson—“ Upon powers given by the statute.” Just so. You left that out

very cleverly. It won’t do. “Upon powers given by the statute.” you’re

very clever that way, sergeant. The defendant was sworn, and was on duty at Tinwald steeplechases, on Friday, and saw the accused there. ! 1 1 ! had him arrested. Regarding the charge against him, there appeared to be two or three courses open to me, and the decision given in one does not preclude my acting under another. • It all depends on one witness, and as soon as possible, an infor mation will be Laid. If I-give up the goods they will be destroyed. lam aware that I am not protected in iny action by any statute, but I hold them, as Sergeant of Police. I don’t want to re .arrest -tbh man and have to apply for a remand, but would sooner wait till this tvitr.osa is ob tained.

Mr Branson But was the man arrested on this charge you speak of 1 Witness—Which charge ? Mr Branson The one you intend bringing ? Witness—No. Mr Branson—Then you’ve no right to notice of action, and you are holding the goods of an innocent man. This was the case for the defence. His Worship—l think the police are perfectly justified in retaining the goods. It was necessary, in the interests of the public at large, that these things should be retained, and there are sufficient grounds for the Sergeant to demand notice of action. Mr Branson questioned the law under which his Worship had seen fit to arrive at such a decision. The reply was inaudible. Mr Branson: I must certainly give notice of appeal. I never heard such a monstrous thing. His Worship—l shall be very glad to permit the appeal. Do you appeal on the law of the case ? Mr Branson—Certainly. The decision is directly in the face of the statute. . ' His Worship—Very well. Deposit LlO then. Mr Branson - It is very evident that one can take no successful action against the Sergeant of Police in this Court. The Court then race, , t j :

SPORTING.

THE EPSOM DEBET. Londow, Jane L The Derby Stakes were ran for at Epsom to-day, and resulted as follows Mr P. Lorillard’s Iroquois ... 1 Mr W. Sharpe’s Peregrine ... 2 MrJ. Watson’s Town Moor ... 3 0 AMARU HANDICAP STEEPLE. CHASE. The following are the weights for this event:—Tho Agent, 12st 101 b ; Sailor Boy, 12st 101 b;, Clarence, list 121 b ; Quamby, list 71b; Chandler, 10st,12lb ; Winfield. lOst 91b ; Little John, 10st 4lb ; Robin Hood, lOst; Naamai, lOat; Kelpie, lOst. , -v

PRE-SESSIONAL.

The Ex-Minister of Public Works. Mr Oliver met his constituents in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, last evening. In the course of his remarks he said he was a Liberal, and his views were in perfect harmony with those of the Government. The Opposition were mere make-believe Liberals. When first elected, Sir George

Grey’s proposals for reform were before the country, and he pledged himself to support them. He little thought that it would fall to a Government, ot which he was a member, to give effect to them, but such had in fact been the. case. Sir George Grey having entirely failed, it had remained for the succeeding Govern ment to have them placed on the statute book of the colony. New Zealand now had a franchise as liberal as any enjoyed by any country ; but, to complete the scheme of reform, one or two measures were necessary, and he hoped shortly to see these passed. Of the principles of the Redistribution of Seats Bill he ap proved, but he considered it would still leave the system of -representation defec tive. He considered the proposal ven tilated by the Premier in regard to the control of the Legislative Council by a Lower House elective power wise and prudent. He deeplyregretted the (retire ment of Mr Bryce, and ; commended the Native Commissioners for the good service he considered they had rendered in native matters. The ' la's would prevent money bping brought into the-colony • must'be acknow ledged to be false, for the supply of' money was. now greater than it had,been for years. A disposition had' heed dis played of - late by the Opposition: i to rch the Government of the credit of their retrenchment. He thought/ the Opposi tion were disappointed at the effectof the retrenchmentachievedbythe.Government, . and said he Should continue to believe in the local Public Works 5 Bill Until a better scheme was propounded. l Regarding the public works, he said that if the railway lines had been all well chosen, there would have hemimu oeed for fcaohja qhefek as the public works policy had, recently , encountered ; but lines had been don structed that could not pay; Trains wore' ; run more frequently’ than'Was necessary and the tariff adopted in Some instances was unnecessarily. low. . -In one case where the carriage had been L 6 per .ton, f 8? October• had, bgea.l-Ts. 2d pe^ x jtoik;o'#Q taking office J he had~ as soon as possible - lessened the number of .trains so fts to diminish miles aye,ar; statlomuastbra' were. . moved-front 5 eitremelysmall stali6he| I the number of' men etapibyed reduced ; v one efficient department, a commissioner's depart cdent; had been’ aubaitituted fot itvo . - inefficient. ones 7 ; and one aocoqntant’s.' - had been substituted for both ..... iheUcale of jiay had been trdneed, tho ; , goods! tariff reYiaed, and and' a ‘Bysfcm eslablished, a(icordjng- to-whiph . men -wbuld be ! ptoinptod‘ in the. keryica. - instead of being BtJbefkSdM b^'outsiders. ’ ; He had had under consideration a scheme for a genera,! railv.ay>benefifc soiSety,’-atid a 1 system of colonial .parcels;, delivery. Enquiries were beingjinade with a view to adopting the American system of check , ing luggage, and ■ attention was being' given to the question of reducing passen geir rates, and establishing night tmi|B betweeq i sphriatphurclf 1 and • -Dunedin. These, matters,, however, were, for his „V) successors to decide, upon.. . Mr Oliver concluded by making an 1 explanation of. the .reasons/which had induced ; him' to : resign his= .portfolio. : A ; vote of thanks. tod confidence was carried;. the Was quiet and orderly. ■ 1 • - ; ' ' 1 ' ! r

CORRESPONDENCE.

Wo do not hold ourselves responsible for th* opinions opr corespondents. |j-

A CORRECTION.

• .To 3m. fonm : . s : ii R fVI Sir,—Allow to correct an inaccurate statement in your report of the trial of 'the sump, at Quillls Hotelbj jthe Eire r 5 ojd •follows “ The, of* .wa^ jwasj, ■ ; found to' be sufficient to reea the , engine for apractice, but it us questionable if It ' * would suffice to supplyjnr case ofda fife*.” Your reporter could not have made,uaa ~c . of his powers of obseifVatibd, or else the. said powers, must be uncommonly scanty. 1 The simple fact was the engine.poulclinot! o reduce the height of water in the Bupaj^. s , s a much larger volume of water flowing past the sump than, there: iwas be£ng r ; pumped from it. This supply waa ob-.' p tained by opening the sluice-gate at the . , reservoir less than two inches. Ch its ’ being reduced by closing the gate to about ip half-inch, there was sufficient to feed the engine and give the pumpers enough to .... do. When I state that the reservoir s sluice-gate can be operjpd to 13 inches, and -, the supply increased in proportion, it can ;i be easily calculated that the efficiency of the engine or the Brigade will not be im-. paired by an insufficient supply of water. May I suggest, in order that the rate* payers may not be misled in each matters, that in future an intelligent reporter bo employed, who will not, in .addition to raisrcporfcing, make such unnecessary and expensive (not to say insane) suggestions as that of laying another line of pipes across the railway line. am, &C.-, Chas. E. Fooks, ; s f Borough Engineer.; [We regret that our repot ter, whowas : misinformed, did not take the necessary . * : precaution: to get a correct report per sonally from Mr Fooks, and so prevent- •< such statements from appearing in print- ;u E». dr.j. J

A Bio Family. —The Smiths of New York city now number 2,430-»-almost a = balance of power. : Wesleyanism. At the Pan-Ausfyal asian Wesleyan Conference, in Adelaide, on the 19th ult., a motion for making the, New Zealand Conference independent was lost. The proposal was declared to be premature, and it was asserted" that-a - carefully prepared -plan i should be: sub mitted in the firpt instance. ; ‘f : " The Sons of the Soil.— dL tow took ; place -at Tauranga on the night of tl}# - 25th ult. Xt commenced by a xt 'gay and festive ” native flinging a pewter pint got at the head : of=abarmaid'®! cial Hotel, Two pakehas endeavoured to jl. put thie Maori out of the house, but were set upon by about forty natives,-.'and before, aid came they bad been ducked in ; a neighbouring, stream,; and severely : ■ beaten about the face. On the arrival of the police, the disturbance was ;put,duwn»‘»! but not before one. or two natives bad . ra ce! vedjroiigK,. treatment at the, hands of, the Europeans. Two natives, .were brought'before the B.M. on the26thult.j' one was' fined 40s, and the other .tft*,;,. mandeid.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY JUNE 3, 1881.



Wanted. WANTED —An Elderly Person for the Country, to do general work ; two children in family. Widow preferred. Apply, Guardian Office. 957 a WANTED, Immediately Several ASSISTANTS in the Dressmaking Department. Apply, Ore and Co. 952 a WANTED — A General SERVANT, where two children are kept. Ap ply, Office of this Paper. 840 a WANTED— A General SERVANT- Good wages given. Appy to L. F. Andrbwes, Ashburton Registry Office, East street south. 921 a WANTED— TENDERS for about 200 chairs Sod and Wire FENCING; also, SINKING a WELL. _ (Labor only.) Tenders, addressed “Fencing,” Office of this Paper, to be sent in by noon of TUESDAY, 7th instant. For particulars, apply Office of this Paper. 948 a ] ANTED TO SELL or LET—S - HOUSE, with larder and every convenience. Apply, Thos. Fel ton, East Belt. 958 a ANTED PURCHASERS for HEIFERS near calving. Apply to J. Stalker, Tinwald. 925 a WANTED EVERBODY to know that HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17s 6d (former price, 255), at S. Stephens’ , Saddler, Tinwald. 726 a WANTED A PARTNER, with small capital, to farm an unim proved freehold. For particulars apply to W. H. Gundry, or W. 8., Box No. 1, P. 0., Ashburton. 801 a



TXT ANTED KNOWN.—Young Ladies’ » » Journal, Is 7d ; Bow Bells, Is 7d; Family Reader (Monthly), Is 2d; (Quarterly) do., 2s 2d ; Family Herald, Is ; London Journal, Is 4d ; &c., &c. A large assortment of School Books and Stationery of every description. Hymn and Prayer Books, &c., &c. Subscribers wanted for every Newspaper and Periodical published. Books, Piece Music, &c., not in stock can be supplied to order, at lowest prices. L. F. Andrewes, Bookseller, Stationer, and General Newspaper Agent, East street South. 953 a ANTED KNOWN—That Miss Verrall is now showing her Winter Stock of Millinery, Drapery &c. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo street, opposite Cookham House. 630 a ANTED KNOWN—That W. Fergus's EXPRESS runs to and from Tinwald Twice Daily. Goods con veyed at most reasonable rates. Orders left at Jephson’s Store, Tinwald, or W. Patching’s, Ashburton, will be promptly attended to. 760 a WANTED KNOWN—That the “ Crown Lands Guide ” (No. 3), New Zealand Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, and all other Government Publi cations can be obtained by applying at Office of this Paper. WANTED Purchasers for Pianos, Organs, Violins, &c. 1 Brinsmead Piano (second-hand), 45g5.; 1 Broadwood Pianette (do), £2B, cheap; 1 Smith Organ, powerful, 6 stops, £36 ; 1 Mason and Hamlin Organ, 5 stops, £3O ; 2 Violins, Bows, and Cases, £5 5s and £6. H. J. Weeks, Teacher of Music, Cameron Street West. Dresden Model Pianos to arrive. 931 a ANTED KNOWN— That John vv Moison (late in the employ of Mr Nealas) has opened business in Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, where all descriptions of Boots and Shoes can be made to order. Having had large ex perience both at Home and in the colonies, J. M. feels confidence in soliciting a share of public support. 758 a "ITT ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton VV REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants.—L, F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that he has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Andrewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a



Special Advertisements. •* A LL work and no play makes Jack e r\ a dull boy,” consequently, bear y ing the truth of this adage in mind, : Frederick Clark, s OF EAST STREET, 2 HAIRDR E S S E R, s Has just imported a quantity of * NOVEL AND AMUSING GAMES * wherewith to while away the dragging s hours of winter nights. They meet the . requirements of both old and young, and i include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chess and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes, go-bang, race game, lotto, &c., &c. Those having favorite Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their selections from his large stock of NEWEST NOVELS at their earliest convenience. THE SMOKER’S FRIEND is F.C., and to preserve the right to this title he has just imported the following Brands of TOBACCO Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, Ruby Twist, Twist, See., Arc. CIGARS and CIGARETTES: Hava;.,... and Cuban, Vanity Fair Cigarettes, &c., &c., and a large selection of novelties in PIPE WARE. Haircutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon, Montgomery’s Buildings. 720 a John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. All kinds of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. 819 Dr James Murdoch, H AVING taken the House in Bur nett street, at present occupied by Mr Cambridge, Chemist, will COMMENCE PRACTICE in Ashburton, on MONDAY, 6th June, 1881. 951 a BOYS’ AND YOUTHS CLOTHING. WE, have, on account of holding too large a Stock, Reduced the Prices of our Boys’ and Youths’ Tweed Suits and Overcoats. Intending pur chasers will save money by giving us a call. EVE RETT BROS., j HavBIiOOK STKEEr. 622 a 1



Special Advertisements. Hayes’ fjl IMB E R YARDS. Balance of Short Firewood unsold at auction sale will be SOLD CHEAP, for cash, in order to clear it. ALPHEUS HAYES. FRESH SUPPLIES of TIMBER, &c., to hand. 608 a



George St. Hill, gUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, Burnett street, A shburton. Plans prepared and Estimates given at the lowest rates. Terms as may be arranged. 409 a



jyjK W. H. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a Farewell banquet to dr. STEWART. A BANQUET, under the auspices of the Caledonian Society and friends of Dr. Stewart, will be given in SHEARMAN’S HOTEL, ON TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 7th, At 7 o’clock. Tickets can be had from the Committee of the Caledonian Society. 956 a



npHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Eactory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. THE Every article in NEW ZEALAND Mercery, &c., at CLOTHING FACTORY Wholesale Prices



NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. W. SPARROW, 369a* Branch Manager. Reid & gray’s new zealand- AMERIOAN Grain Drill, 15, 16, and 17 Coulters, With all latest Improvements, and of best Material and Workmanship. ASHBURTON BRANCH : Cameron street. 898 a OTICE TO FARMERS. The Undersigned can SUPPLY Prime Samples of SEED WHEAT on favorable terms. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., 870 a Ashburton.



Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barms' Square. 365 a O. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a* Ball programme cards in very neat styles, with Pencils and Ribbons, printed at the Guardian Office, East street, neat Railway Station,



Special Advertisements. Coffee Palace, No. 1, OLD POST OFFICE, CHRIST CHURCH. 6d. FISH SUPPERS 0 D STEAKS and CHOPS from the GRILL Every Night. Open always from 7 a. m., till Midnight. 6d. MEALS 6d. Cup of Tea or Coffee ... ... 3 Cafe au lait ... ... G 954 a



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS,



All orders for insertion of advertise ments must be written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will bo inserted until countermanded, and charged accord ingly. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. All advertisements and business letters to be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.



A Novel Charge. —A novel kind of a charge to bring into a police court is re ported by the Freeman’s Journal as having been put forward by the Limerick policeJ At the Newcastle West Court, two lads, scarcely into their teens, were charged, one with “ whistling with derision amounting to intimidation,” and other with “ whittling 'with' derision amounting to abuse. ” The police. appear to have been unable to satisfy the Bench as to the correctness of their analysis with regard to the whistling, and the cases were dismissed, the conduct of the police, being severely censured by ' the magis trate. 1 ‘