SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Elibank Castle, brigantine, from Catlin River. Sailed. Yesterday. Ocean Bird, ketch, for Nelson. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Wanaka, for the South. . Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Hinemoa, from Manukau ; Wakatipu, from the South. Sailed —Penguin, for the North ; j fWakatipu, for Sydney.

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Retail List, > Blitter, inferior to best, 1? lb, 6d to Bd. , Eggs, I? dozen, is. Cheese, prime quality, I? lb, fid to Bd. Bacon, prime smoked, 1? lb, lod to is. ' Hams, in cloth, I? lb, is id. Flour, in bags, t? loolb, 13s. Oatmeal, ri 25111, 4s. A. i Lard, lb, 7d. Auctioneers’Report. Messrs. H. Matson and Co. report on the •jive stock market, £-c., for the week ending ’ • 'Thursday, January 13th, 18S1, as follows : For yesterday’s weekly sale at Addington there was a short supply of mutton, but a large entry of stores brought the total number of sheep yarded vp to a little over 6,000. In fat sheep the bulk were merino, and the lew lines of crossbreds as well as ■ the best quality merino wethers were easily disposed of, with a ready sale at last week’s values. In some instances there was.a slight advance, especially towards the close of the auction, but this was not general, and last week’s quotations may ' ‘ be taken as applying to this, with a quicker '■ ’sate and better clearance yesterday. Fat crossbred wethers brought from 9s 6d to I is 6d; ewes and mixed lots, 8s fid to 9s fid; merino wethers to 7s 3d; inferior lots, 6s to 6s fid. The entry in stores represented over 2,000 sheep, chiefly crossbred and merino couples, all of which found buyers at satisfactory prices. ' Aline of 700 aged merino ewes in the wool, with 70, per cent, of crossbred lambs at foot, sold 'at 9s, lambs given in, and another lot of shorn crossbred ewes, with lambs at foot, at the same ■price. ■ We placed 700 cull merino ewes (aged, and a very indifferent lot) at 3s, and various .small lines of mixed sheep at current rates. Owing to the brre supply and temporary im provement in-the bee! trade List week, yes terday’s market was (as we anticipated) simply glutted with fat cattle, all of which alike met with a dull and dispiriting sale. Compara tively few cattle changed hands prior to the auction, but'after the first lew lots had been disposed of there was a total absence of com petition, and salesmen had great difficulty in eliciting biddings at all. A considerable number of cattle were tinned out unsold, and those that found buyers did so at prices on a par with the lowed of our markets this season. In store cattle the low price of beef is making itself keenly felt, both in the declining values and demand. The active enquiry which existed six weeks or two months since for the older ages and fresh-conditioned lines has, to v 1 a great extent, collapsed, and values rule from " ‘ 5s to 15s per head lower now than then. Yesterday very few lots were sold, and prices fully bore out tlie above quotations. Lambs and pigs made a large entry, and every lot in both classes were sold—Lambs at f ora 6s fid to 8s fid; fat pigs, 303 to 455; stores, 12s to ’’••• 255.' The totals yarded for (he day comprised 6,100 sheep, 594 head of cattle, and 165 pigs, of which our entry included 3,029 sheep, 263 fat lambs, 225 head of cattle, and t 24 pigs. »" q[ n ' f at ' s l lC ep our principal sales were—l2o mixed crossbreds at 10s, 30 at I os, 40 at 8s fid, 50 at Bs, 52 at Bs, 90 at 9s gd, 46 at 9s 911, _ 40 at 8s gd, 90 at 9s 9<J, 374 merino wethers | Oat; 7s .3d,169 crossbred ewes at 8s 3d, 39 at ros 6d. Stores—4oo cull merino ewes at 3s, 275 do at 2S 9'd, 227 4-tooth crossbreds at 7s nd, 50 merino ewes at 4s 7d, 70 at 4s, 74 at 3s 1 id, ! ' 101 Romney breeding ewes at 7s s<l. Fat - ■ lambs— 34 at 7396, 21 at Bs, 22 at 8s 3d, 14 . - at 7s fid, 26 at Bs, 30 at 7s 3d, 39 at 7s fid, 20 at Bs, 26 at 7s 9d, 12 at 7s 3d. Fat cattle— '■'' ■it at L 67s fid, 2at L 6 Tos. 3at L 6, 5 at L$ .7s fid, ,4 at L 7. Ss, 2at L 6 ios, 3at L 6 15s, 4-at L 6 ss, 3 at L 6 15s, 3 at L 6, 5 at L 6,2 at LS ips, 3 at L 7, 3 at L 6 103, 4at L 6 15s, 6 : at L 6, Sat L 6 Ss; stores, Bat L 5 ios, 13 at L 3 3s, 6 at L 3 2s fid, 9 at L 4 2s, 4 at Li I is, 4 at L 3 2s fid; springers and dairy cows from L 3 to L 7 ios. Pigs—lo at 37s fid, 10 at 36s 6d, Bat 365, ■ 6 at 355, 6 at 48s, 26 at 18s, 12 at 11s fid, 3 at 295, 5 at 42s fid, 9 at 365, &c.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows: For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a. m., and sp. m., daily. ' y - For Chertsey Bakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. * j >T For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, 1 Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, -I and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. - For, Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 ' ' a.m., and 420 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, 1 or ’Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. *•' For Ashton, Water ton and Longbeach, at 430 p.m. daily. ;For Wakanui, Elgin, Seafield, New . ! land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, ‘ and Saturdays, at 6 a. m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— -5... From. Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 a.nn, 435 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.35 p.m. daily. Tejnuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m, daily. Froih Greienstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge : bn Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Rrom Ashton, Waterton, and Long beachat 10'a.m; daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, ai\d, Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, , J 'land Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, .'■i'' / Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. ■V TO-MORROW, : . ; Saturday, January 15. S T Quill and Co.—Usual Weekly Sale. . J Mr. T.Bullock,, at his Booms, East street —Standing Crops. Two o’clock. . Mri TJ Bullock —Usual Weekly Sale. •7'k!Mp, Alfred Harrison, at his Yards— Horses, Buggy, Harness, Piano, Sewing Furniture, &c. 12 o’clock, Tuesday, January 18. ' Robert Wilkin and Co., Tinwald Yards— r Horses and Store Merino Ewes. , V ;.. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. , TO-MOEROW, i\ Saturday, January 15. ~,1-Meeting of Ticket-holders between the t *■> JsTpb'. .1,226 and 1,250 in . Cameron’s on the Champion Bace, at t; Ashburton Hotel, at 7-30 p.m. Tuesday, January 18. Degree Temple, Fortnightly Meeting, f Templar .Hall, at 8 p.m. r.Ji. n ■■ ■> January 19. . Ashburton Town Hall Company, Meeting Shareholders, Town Hall, at 8 p.m. ft . .Monday, January 24. . J 3oriough ‘Council, at Borough Council ■Tf- at 7, o’clock. February 2. the County Council ; at’ll o’clock'.

The Ashburton Guardian. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881.

TOWN EDITION.

The Guardian. —We have to apologise for the late hour at which many of our readers will receive their papers to-night. Owing to an accident to the engine, our machine had to be turned by manual la bor to-day.

The Inter-Colonial Conference.— There is a probability of New Zealand not being represented at the conference of delegates to be held at Sydney.

Presbyterian Church. —Mr. C. E. Button, whose ministrations during the term the Hokitika congregation was without a pastor were so acceptable, is to conduct services at morning and evening diets of worship in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, and in the Wakanui School in the afternoon.

A Smart Capture.— Last night a man named Fred Neill reported to the police that he had been robbed of a sum of money amounting to Ll 7 10s. while at the Ashburton Hotel. Neill described the man who was in his company at the time of missing the money, and Constable Neill immediately started off to find the whereabouts of the supposed thief. The hotels and various boarding-houses in the town wei’e duly visited, but no one answer ing to the description given could be found. However, at about 11.20 last evening Constable Neill was standing on the footpath between Mr. Williamson’s store and the shop formerly occupied by Mr. Harper. There was some loud con versation going on in the latter dwelling, which is now in the occupation of a person named Wadsworth, and seeing a man come out of the front door and go in the direction of the police station, the constable’s suspicions were aroused, and were confirmed when, immediately afterwards, another man made his exit by the back entrance, giving at the same time several whistles, which were evidently signals to someone inside. Con stable Neill entered the house, and as cending upstairs, lie found in one of the rooms the very man he was in search of. There was another man, and also two women there; and one of the latter, on seeing the policeman, charged the sus pected individual with having robbed her of L 3, and with having torn the dress oft’ her back while effecting the robbery. The constable endeavored to arrest the man, but found that he had a rather rough character to encounter, and it was some time before the handcuffs could be put on him. Eventually this was done, and George Wilson, alias George Douglas was “run in,” after stoutly maintaining his innocence, and giving the gentle Neill some trouble. Wilson at one time, we learn, kept a box ing school, and is well known both in Christchurch and Dunedin. He wrs brought before Mr. Wood this morning and remanded until to-morrow.

A Paying Tons. —Mr Proctors last lecturing tour in America is (said to have yielded a clear profit of 115,000. Earthquake. — A strong shock of earthquake was felt at Cromwell (Otago) at 11 minutes past one yesterday.

A Costly Passenger. —The captain of the Northumberland has been called upon to enter into a bond of LIOO under the Imbecile Passenger Act of 1873, in conse quence of having brought out a youth named Henry Pottinger Wills, who has just been committed to the Wellington Lunatic Asylum. Fatal Accident at Clive. — A report has reached Napier that a man named Caldwell met his death in a singular man ner, at Clive yesterday. He was carting earth from the swamp, and his mate found the hcrse and cart overturned in the ditch at the edge of the swamp with Caldwell’s dead body underneath.

A Difficulty Settled. —Dr. Duller has effected an amicable settlement of the Wato survey difficulty. The theodolite and other instruments seized and im pounded by Renata’s, people some weeks ago have been delivered up to Mr. Lee song, and satisfactory terms arranged. Cambridge (Auckland) Races.- These Races were continued yesterday, and were the best ever witnessed in the W ukato. Vampire appropriated the Pul dean’s Purse, followed home by Yataj a and Lonehand. The Steeplechase was won after a neck finish by Lonehand, Sports man being second. For the Grand Stand Handicap, Vampire, Harry Mom :, and Ratcatcher filled the situations :u the order named. Deputation to the Hon. the Attor ney-General.—A Thames dt putat >n has waited on the Hon. F. Whitaker a? Auck land, and urged the construction of the railway to connect Grahamstov a to Kopuru, in order to convert the latter place into a depot for the Upper Tames. Mr. Whitaker explained to the deputa tion that as he was largely intere ced at Kopuru, he could not take any active part in his Ministerial capacity in the project, but if the deputation would embody its views in a memorandum, he wouid for ward it for the consideration $f the Minis ter for Public Works. A Challenge. —There was a somewhat amusing case in Court to-day over one of the costumes used by the Dramati • Club in their representation of the “ Duel in the Snow.” The case was to recover pay ment for the making of a Shaktsperian clown’s dress, and the objection was that the charge was too high. Defendant produced Mr. A. Craighead as an expert, who said he was prepared to make any number of such dresses at 14a. each, the plaintiff, Mr. Ruxton, having charged 22s In the course of evidence Mr. Craighead said he could do the work of making such a dress in 7-| hours. Mr. Ruxton was prepared to pay the costs of all those concerned in the case and surrender the amount in dispute if the work could be done by Mr. Craig head in double the rime he stated. If he could do it in 71 hours he was a very remarkable tailor, and would be a fortune to Mr. Ruxton if he would accept employ ment in his establishment. Elgin School. —The Committee held a meeting on Wednesday evening. Present —Messrs. J. Stanley Bruce (Chairman), P. Lines, J. Keir, S. Scott, and J. Cochrane. Mr. P. Lines moved, and Mr. S. Scott seconded—“ That the letter from the schoolmaster, in reply to the resolu tions passed at last meeting, be ordered to lie on. the table.” Carried. Mr. J. Cochrane proposed, and M. J. Keir seconded —“ That the schoolmaster again be requested to hand . the Commitee all moneys which he has received from the sale of books, the same being public money. Further, that the schoolmaster be again requested to produce vouchers for the books and stationery accounts which he states he has paid, otherwise the same cannot be considered.” Carried. Proposed by Mr, S. Scott, seconded by Mr. P. Lines, and carried—“ That a sub committee, consisting of the Chairman and Messrs. J.. Cochrane and P. Lines, be appointed to examine and report upon the books accounts, and bring the same up at the next meeting.” The meeting then adjourned.

Crime in A.shburton. —The return of offences committed in Ashburton, and tried before the R.M., shows a general increase, which, however, is mainly attri butable to the number of Borough by-law cases that have been heard. This year (1880) there were no less than. 65 persons charged with offences under the Borough by-laws, 61 of whom were brought to trial, and 44 convicted, leav ing 17 who were discharged. Only 19 cases under this head were heard in 1879. 118 drunk and disorderly persons came through the hands of the police in 1879, against 186 in 1880 ; 36 illicit dog keepers cropped up in 1879, against 50 in 1880 ; assaults show an Increase of 4 in 1880 ever 1879, in which year they numbered 28 ; indecency has decreased 7 cases, and obscene language has been less common by 20 cases. There have been 13 fewer cases of breach of the Licensing Act than in 1879, but breaches of the Public-House Ordinance show exactly the same number. Theft's num bered 51 in 1879, and 60 in 1880, and there has been an increase of two cases of burglary, and thirteen of breaches of the peace. On most of the other classes of offences there lias been no change worthy of note. , It may be here stated that the amount of work required ,to be done by the police in this district equals that shown by the Timaru and Oamaru returns, yet it has pleased the authorities to reduce the staff by one man.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE-

(Per Reuter's Agency.) Unchanged. London. Jan. 12. Cohsols are unchanged, at 98 Illness of Mr. Gladstone. The Right Hon, W. E. Gladstone is suffering from a cold, but not one of a serious character. A Squadron for the Cape. The detached squadron is under orders to proceed to the Cape. It is understood that this movement is due to the Boer rebellion in the Transvaal. The Turko-Greek Frontier Difficulty. It has transpired that a general agreement exists amongst the Powers that their Ambassadors at Athens should be instructed to endeavor to persuade the Greek Government to agree to arbitration for the settlement of the frontier difficulty with Turkey. Storms in England. London, Jan. 13. Heavy snowstorm’s have been ex perienced throughout England during the past few days. A More Liberal Spirit. Berlin, Jan. 12. A large meeting of electors of this city was held to-day, at _ which resolu tions were passed protesting against the anti-Jewish agitation which now exists in Germany. Those Boers. Capetown. Jan. 12. Intelligence has been received that the Boers have occupied Crislionia. News from Natal announces thar Go vernor Sir Geo. Colley has left Pieter maritzburg, and has proceeded to New castle, a town of more importance near the border between Natal and the

Transvaal, where he will conduct the military operations against the Boers. A

A Canard. ■ Bombay, . Jan. 12, • - Information has beert received that the report published yesterday That a plot had been discovered among the natives of Kolappre ta Assassinate' the European residents is 'entirely without foundation.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Pet Reuter's Agency.) . Preliminary. Sydney, To-day. The first sitting of the adjourned Intercolonial Conference was held here yesterday. Representatives of all the colonies, except New Zealand,., were present. The business transacted was purely of a preliminary character, the programme of the proceedings of the Conference beihg alone dealt with. Leichardt’s Telescppe.; Mr. Skudthorpcfurthertelegraphs that he has in his possession the telescope which, was presented by the Governor on behalf of the colonists to Leichardt, the explorer.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per l y ress Association.) , Edwards’ Challenge. Dunedin, To-day. Respecting Edwards’ challenge, the Star isauthorised to state that young Scott is willing to walk him a twenty-four hours’ contest, in conformity with the challenge previously issued, for any suvriup to LSOO. Should Edwards decline these terms, Mr. Austin will match Scott against him for both a twenty-four and forty-eight hours’ match, for LIOO a side each. The Australian Team. Bannennan and Bonner do not come over with the Australian eleven. The former had a ; disagreement, and the latter’s leg is too bad. Their places are filled by Tindall and Scott.

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day.

Tho P.M.S.S. City of New York ar rived to-day at 3 p.m. She left San Francisco December 21st, and encoun tered heavy south and south-west gales for five clays. Arthur Simpson and David Silvia were washed overboard and drowned. Her passengers for New Zea land are—Messrs. A. Hutchison, Bull, Maurice, Stewart, Sheer, Bromely, Gross deck, Ferris, Baldwin, Smith and wife, Rutherford, Grant and wife, Mrs. Wil son, Messrs. -Wilson and Dradry. From Honolulu—Mr. Buckley, wife and three children. San Francisco, Deo. 21. President Hayes submitted an unusually lengthy message to Congress, and inti mated that more attention should here after bo paid to the condition of the colored people in the exercise of their rights. He condemned Mormonism, and said tho law should stamp it out. He advocated civil service reforms, and com mended the Yictorian Exhibition. A treaty has been concluded with China to check the immigration of Chinese. He advocates subsidies to the ocean mails. Branches of the Irish Land League have been established in California. The wheat ships find a difficulty in obtaining crews. . . Sankey and Mood3 r ’s succes in San Fran cisco is not great. ; Small pox is decreasing rapidly through out California since the 15th. , A larger area of wheat will be sown this season than in any previous year. Thirty people were burnt in a factory at Buffalo. General Grant favors Nicaragua canal in opposition to Lesseps, and if. a Company is formed he will be president. Father Gavazzi is soliciting aid in New York for a Free Church of Italy. President Hayes favors admitting Chinese vessels into the United States on the same footing as other nations. Courtney Prendo, an English lord, is in gaol in New York. Business is depressed in the Eastern States, and numerous heavy failures are announced. Sir John McDonald’s project to com plete the Pacific Railway with a foreign syndicate excites opposition. A bill, to surrender the part already constructed, with a subsidy of 25,000,000 dols., and 28.000. acres of land, to the syndicate is introduced. It is believed the Bill will be carried. An earthquake in British Columbia has split the glaciers, and filled the greets and rivers, changing their courses. '• -■ Tiie crew of the ship Cashmere, from Melbourne, mutinied in Victoria Harbor. The ringleaders are awaiting trial. A bill has passed the Brazil Senate ad mitting Protestants to the same rights as Catholics. The Chilians have established them selves at Piescoe, after a desperate resist ance. The Peruvians are massing on the line to Lima. The Chilian army numbers 25.000, with 100 guns. Great Britain. Mr. Gladstone will probably propose to grant L 25,000 to General Roberts. A new Antarctic expedition will be undertaken by Dr. Allen Young. It is rumored that Earl Dufferin will be transferred to Constantinople. Koneplay, yarn agents, Manchester, have failed, and Caldwell, railway con tractor, London, has suspended payment. Many Irish refugees are flocking to London. Many are destitute. The League courts are shutting out appeals to the or dinary tribunals, and business men fear to serve on the juries and lawyers to appear against the Leaguers for fear of assassina tion. Mr. Parnell declares that the Govern ment is too weak to crush the. Land League. The Orange Grand Lodge has announced a code of signals for men to assemble at any time of the night. Subscription lists are open for a defence fund. An explosion at Pervy Craig colliery, Rhoda Valley, killed nearly a hundred miners. Two hundred and fifty persons were lost by the sinking of a French steamer near Spezzia. The Nihilists are reacting at St. Peters burg, and a strong revolutionary move ment is threatened. : The French Monks’ admission to Spain is restricted.

The anfci-Jewish crusade in Germany is increasing. Many Socialists have been arrested on charges of high treason. The Czar refuses to allow foreign inter vention in China. China offers to refer the question to arbitration. . !

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON. -To-day.

(Before Mr. Nugent Wood, R. M. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Alexander Campbell and David Cameron were charged.' with being drunk and dis orderly. The Sergeant stated that accused were drunk, but very quiet. They had been already locked up twenty-four hours. Accused were let off with a caution. John Leasham, who was charged with alike offence, pled guilty to being intoxi cated, but denied the charge of disorderly conduct. Fined 55., cr twelve hours' im prisonment. ALLEGED LARCENY. George Wilson, charged with the lar ceny of Ll 7, was, on the application of Sergeant Felton, remanded till to-morrow. breaches of the by-laws G. F. Martin appeared in answer to a charge of riding across a footpath without lawful excuse. Mr. Martin pleaded guilty to riding across a footpath, but alleged that he had a lawful excuse for so doing. He could not serve his customers without riding over the footpaths. Fined in a nominal penalty of Is. and costs. J. F. Butler, who did not appear, was fined ss. for allowing a cow to wander at largo. Hugh Muir pleaded guilty to a charge of allowing one mare to wander at large. The animal had been tethered, but some one had released it. Fined ss. Thomas Trevurza also contributed ss. to the Clerk of the Court for a similar offence. John Hepburn, charged with allowing three cows to wander at large was fined 2s. per head and costs. James Digby was charged with riding across a footpath without lawful excuse. Mr. Digby confessed to having: ridden across the footpath, but there was no other means of access to the premises of the Mayor, whither he was going when the charge was laid. Mr. Branson ex plained to his Worship that nearly two thirds of the houses in Ashburton were without any other means of access than across the footpaths. Fined Is. and costs. A FENCING SQUABBLE FROM WAKANUI.

John Corbett was charged with having on the slh January unlawfully assaulted Thomas Wilson. Mr. Branson for plain tiff ; Mr. Ireland for defendant. This was a case arising out of a fencing trans action between the parties named. Thomas Wilson, sworn—Am a farmer residing at Wakanui. Know Mr. Cor bett. His land bounds mine. Mr. Cor bett has been in occupation of the land about three years. Served a notice to fence on Mrs. Corbett. She refused to take it, and I dropped it at her feet The document produce is a copy of the notice served. Marked the date on at the time. It was on the 13th August. Afterwards saw Corbett about the fence, when he said he would do no thing with it for me or anyone else. Allowed him a month to take action. When the month had expired, gave Cor bett a further notice to fence. After this, he commenced to fence, but it was not in accordance with the notice I originally served on him. He.did not commence to fence within the month required. There was an indifferent kind of a fence on tho ground previously, but it was not in accord ance with the Ordinance. The fence Then was 3ft. Gin. in height at places, but throughout was very irreg" 1 "’ u January, the ditch at 1 fence wanted in some pi and in other places ten proper depth. At that t I were deepening the dit ing in the ditch on defen fence. He told me t refused. Defendant t about. He prevented m with the work, and sai< legal enough. Defend; the shovel I was using, a from using it. I have er of the fence in accor Ordinance. By Mr. Ireland —Cai Corbett and I are bosom gaged Foreman to put : between my property am- Corbett paid for the h.- done. There was a high in the belief that the tei vent his cattle trespassir member how many chain • • left undone. Mr. Corbe his paddock, and I hai There are no cattle in eit Corbett’s property to dt but the crops were not de 1 took a pair of horses . plough the ditch. I took to get at the ditch in or another I took down som warned Corbett that his I legal fence. I have had the Court once. By Mr. Branson—l sii the rails that were across ditch, walked my horses while ploughing, and onl; at the far end to turn, fence I put up was in acc< ordnance of ’72, but his not now. At the time I Corbett there was not a fence between Corbett’s I did not throw any of from the ditch over Corbe 18 inches of an unplougl soil placed on it. By his Worship—Corbe of the part of the land 1 fenced. It was only Corb ting through the fence th sist on having a legal feric James Donald Wilson— ■ - , .; i - the sth inst., I helped my • legal, fence between our lai . We cut six inches of clayo it 2ft. deep. We had to ( at the end, and the crop croached on there to son put on clay dug out of tl side of it. Corbett and h the land, and after wc hac' ’ back, Corbett prevented . going on with the ditch. Peter Stewart, farniel know both Corbett and V the sth inst. , I was at the tion. Corbett and his me j side the ditch.. Wilson ak ■ > witness to the fact that Cc vented him from digging. l digging while I was thcr , shoved him about, and sai i stop, he would shove him C. E. Fooks, surveyor fence and the ditch. Th latter is two feet, and fc the top for about 22 ehaim 22 chains is about one fo ; deep. The actual length 82 chains, but the half of r the low land,, where the fe standards. J. Wilson, recalled—Tl the ditch I made are two are next my own house. Corbett made are the sin are only one foot eight ii deepened Corbett’s part an inches before ho stopped rn ! John Corbett, defendai two years and a half sine put up. Wilson called for telling him to have the fenc • self, and I would pay the h did very well until short! Wilson said he would n fence. He entered my . public road with his horses, part of ray crop. On the • came to the ditch and begat said to me he was deepening my expense. I pushed hir but did not hurt him, tho had a sore back. The fenct the district, and it is Wilson ing. I wanted to keep !

between myself and Wilson, and I went down with two, men and cleaved out the ditch. I have '.always maintained my fences in proper order, and I told my men to put the standards nine feet apart.'. I never saw nor heard of a notice to fence given by Wilson, and I never said I was sorry my wife had taken the notice. I put the stakes nine feet apart, because I wished to have the fence the same as Wilson’s, knowing him to be a disagree able man, and not because he had written a notice to me to fence at that distance. I never got such a notice. His Worship said there was no doubt that an assault had been committed, but plaintiff had courted the assault, and done all he could to bring it about. In regard to the fence, plaintiff had had the control of the making of it, and, taking all the circumstances of the case into considera tion, it was evident that witness only courted the assault with the object of bringing Corbett into Court. His Wor ship would never encourage litigation of this sort, and would therefore dismiss the case, allowing costs of witnesses and pro fessional foo.

Morrow v. Wilson—Case adjourned till next Frida}', when the Magistrate’s decis sion in the case would be given. MacLeod v. Mutch.—Chain: Lit), for the keep of an ent ire horse. Mr. O’Reilly for plaintiff, Mr. Ireland for defendant Judgment was given for Lt 10s. and costs. “touchstone” in, court. Rnxton v. Fulton.—ln this case each client was his own lawyer, and the amount in dispute was LI 25., which Mr. Ruxton claimed as the cost of making a fancy dress suit for ono of the Amateur Dramatic Club’s performances. Plaintiff said the job had been brought to him by Mr. Felton, and the work had been done to defendant’s satisfaction. The fit was not objected to, nor the workmanship, and defendant bad expressed himself,'as per fectly pleased with the whole thing, going the length even of anticipating the killing effect that his appearance in the bravery would have upon the ladies. The dress had been made in time for the play, and considering defen dant’s position, he had not sent for the money for a month. ho complaints had been made as to bad fittug, or otherwise, until now. Went to cbfendant, seeking the money, and had nls< sent. Was told by defendant that he hid not five shillings in the world, and tha he had nobody who would pay a poundfor him. Defen dant took witness to dr. Poyntz, tiie Secretary of the Club, T ho offered to pay 15s. for the dress. Vould not accept that sum, because, havng done the work, and being able to gnaraiteo it, would take no less than the amouit of the account. It was about seven o’chck in tho morning when witness went after his money last, ns he had been told at ?oyntz’s office that defendant was shaky, md believing that defendant was about to belt, and witness himself having to go t< Christchurch by tho nine o’clock train, aid be away for some days, hehadgoneatthat early hour. Defendant cross - eianinecl witness, displaying every, article of the dress in turn, and asking questions as to the workmanship. Witness said in reply that it was two months since the things had, been made, and their good condition now was proof that they had l.cen well made. Jn evidence defendant sail nearly every article had had to be altered, and besides, the dress had not been supplied at tiie time promised, Mr. Ruxtou had to Etc l.vlrrtvwre ~ + i„ (1.0 r.'ww'.l .wo

threshing machine at'the time.. I showed the man the paddock, the sheep, and the gate. I could not go with him myself. Two days afterwards I saw the sheep were still in my paddock. I met Grant in Christchurch. I said to him “ You have not taken away your sheep yet.” He replied “ leave them for a bit, I can pay for them.” 1 said “remember, I shall charge you 2d. per head.’- The sheep re mained in my paddock till the night of the 4th of June. They were in my paddock five weeks. There was good feed in the paddock. By Mr. Ireland—l told the man he could leave the sheep in my paddock, if Grant would accept my offer for them. This was about the Bth of May. Grant never said he would not give twopence a head. Twopence per head was under price for my feed.

By Mr. Purnell—When I said he could leave the sheep, I did not mean that I was to keep them gratuitously. Peter Grant, sworn, said—l am defen dant in this case. I heard that plaintiff wanted to buy sheep. I sent some up to him by my man. Saw Murdock on the 22nd of May, and offered him the sheep at 4s. Cd. He offered me 4s. 3d. I would not take it. He mentioned some thing about twopence per head. I asked him for his bill. I was willing to pay him one penny per head. Twopence a head is not a usual price. I have' paid twopence per head for grazing on turnips. By Mr. Purnell—l might have asked plaintiff about grazing sheep at King’s sale. I sent the sheep to plaintiff’s, thinking ho uii CJ kt purchase them. I took them away, because lie did not want them. Plaintiff’s paddock was grass off which seed had been taken.

Thomas MacLeod deponed to taking the sheep to Murdock’s, thinking he would buy them. He was not at home when the sheep were taken, but eight or ton days after, Murdock asked what price was wanted for them. He was told 4s. 6d., hut would not give more than 4s. 3d. He told me I might leave them till I saw Grant about the price. I toek them away two or three weeks after. The usual charge for grazing, is one penny per week on turnips. This was all the evidence. After counsel on both sides had addressed the Bench, his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff, as follows Defendant to pay Id. per head for the first week ; nothing for the second week, while evidently the parties were in treaty for the purchase of the sheep ; and twopence per week for the remainder of the time : and costs, L2 Is. C. Lake v. John Mieklejohn—Claim L 5 12s. lOd. Judgment for amount claimed, and costs. C. Lake v. H. MacLsau Case adjourned till next Court day, at the request of the defendant, for the pro duction of a witness. C. Lake v. A Maugham—Dr. Poster for plaintiff, Mr. Purnell for defendant. Claim Ll 5 for the hire of two horses, and board for defendant. Plaintiff said he let defendant two horses in March last, which he had kept for two weeks, then leaving them on defendant’s hands, and not paying for the hire as agreed, at 30s. per week. Defendant said that he had agreed to buy the horses for LSO, pay ing for them in instalments of 30s. per week, or more if ho could afford it. In a tiff, plaintiff had taken the horses back, thereby putting him to groat inconveni ence. Plaintiff had at first offered to lend f-Uo I,*— oc. -v. ■ i v. : , - : i ' • '"A; : : I : ■ .V"

Thave alluded to a driver’s coolness and'resolution in an accident, but no chronicle ever has or ever will be written which will tell one tithe of the accidents which the courage and pre sence of mind of these men have averted. A railway ran over a river— indeed, it might be called an arm of the sea; as it was the inlet to an im portant harbor, provision was obliged to be made for the shipping, and so the piece of line which crossed the water, at a height of seventy feet, was, ia fact, a bridge, which swung round when large vessels had to pass. I.need hardly say that such a point, was carefully guarded. At each end, at a .fitting distance, a man was placed specially to indicate whether the bridge was open or shut. One day, as the express was tearing along on its up journey, the driver received the usual “ all right” signal; but to his horror, on coming in full sight of the bridge he found it was wide open, and a gulf of fatal depth yawning before him. He sounded his brake-whistle, that deep-toned Scream which signals the guard, and he and his fireman held on, as before de scribed, to the brake and regulator. The speed of the train was, of course, checked ; but so short was the interval, so great had been the impetus, that it seemed almost impossible to prevent the whole train from going over into the chasm. Had the rails been in the least degree slippery, any of the brakes out of order, or the driver less deter mined, there would then have occurred the most fearful railway accident ever known in England; but by flint of quick decision and cool courage the danger was averted; the train was brought to a stand-still when the buffers of the engine absolutely and literally overhung the chasm. Three yards more, and a different result mighbhave had to be chronicled.

Some of my readers may remember an incident in railway history which dates back to our first great Exhibition. I mention it here for its singularity, and for my having known the driver Whose coolness was so marked. In asce'nding a very long ; gradient, the hindmost carriages of the train snapped their ■* coupling when at the top the engine rattled on with the remainder, while those ran down the slope, which w'as several miles in length, with.a velocity which of course’ increased every mo ment. To make mat ters,, worse, the next train on the same line was com paratively close behind, and, in fact, shortly came in sight. The driver of this second train, a watchful and ex perienced hand, saw the carriages rush ing towards him, and divined that they were on the same line. If he continued steaming on, of course, in a couple of minutes he would come ihtb v direct collision with them, while,.on the,other hand, if he ran back, the callages would probably gather such way that they would leap from the bank. So, with great presence of mind, and won- —' ckriul j.jdg-’.-T.t rd speed, he yah back' .1 o-o: . qud-: "id: as liv; f..r ---i o ■■ dirr. v. ;har c-'en • V'• ’n-js brio. /.•nd Sinvk ■'!!.■ r.v: wuh ■ oT . that was d\ ‘V-o'C •: W/ Ou ’ I>c the V nr o'do/u on b;• c..- hnc; on ■V. o . ' /■. .;f. >V;; tro ;:s don-. • ■ < I;.,;- : i:.; > • ’ Hs . ■ , ,;i,ni»iud iiltTTgTrrbtiv k >_ : ■■ ■_him ’otfei ; :, e; i ■, . inn, wnore idn 0■ ”• >v o.t ■ upno.re \ ••■ fr.vuic dew ■: ar rbc • . r Mhe d.-d 0. / -nt. as ..'"iuM (./:■- •. ■ -• v .cim.ihie record of’ .. rife .a. It a com s- ■• SiO. i i a ‘-ugdty : ■; r. v--r ■ V ’ /do l t l, ; , rr , . ■ • -.oorv ,Oiv d r i- d’ o ■ d‘l.- ■rd v -'U d;;/ ■. : ■ ' ;■ -.v; . t VC- y vrr ■ . V V’ :■/• ... :■ : , .■;•• . r $ - 1 -:n’rri 100 , , v.it 'd; .via.. :i v.o ■ji dto rib ■; i if. . r or, that, s ■ in ;v - T ' i ■ : or a-q. /rrl of inquiry v d, ■v, r -d: . ■w,.ci,"C!u upon an engine d a- < it i -■":•/ Tippers td.it the d r.a... i d v ocgme having been. ;-.,r o".i idi u": oven inferior /"i or viai , or : this is very cur. >us, . "' - - -0. • ’ O-'J-iSW'- id- .

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881.



B'ALL PROGRAMME CARDS in ;,sWiy.ap»i styles, /with Pencil* and at the Guabdxas Office,. 3Gast street^hear Railway Station,



Special Advertisements. HE BEST VALUE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING Clothing Factory, Which, can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory's Garments are the Very Best Yalue for Ready Money. EAST STREET. FOB READY MONEY IS THE MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Ashburton Branch 751* YvM. SPARROW, Manager.



Commercial and fancy STATIONERY. The Undersigned has opened up a NEW ASSORTMENT of the above. Cream, Blue, and Hand - made Notepapers; Ruled, Plain, Fancy, and Repp ditto. Good Business Envelopes, No. 7, Court, Albert, Queen, Tinted, Repp, and others. Pens Gillott’s, Mitchell's, 7 Brandauer and Co.’s. Inks—Stephen’s Blue Black, Walkden’s Black and Colored, Antonine, Copying, Ac. Workboxes, Albums. Books, &c. h. m.Tones, STATIONERY AND FANCY GOODS DEPOT, East Street and Baring Square. 710



[CABI>.] rpHEODORE B. JACOBSEN, ARCHITECT. Note office— HEREFORD STREET, WEST, C hrtstchurch 571 0. Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Pair Tobacco Musical Instruments, etc., etc. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 520* CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUININE TONIC WINE, Manufactured and sold by the Proprietor for thirteen years. Every bottle is guaranteed to contain thirty grains of pure quinine, and is there fore a most valuable strengthening medi cine. Sold in wine bottles at 4s. Cd., and smaller size 2s. 6d. May be obtained in Rakaia from Messrs. Hardy & Co. As the best proof of the value of an article is the readiness of others to imitate it, see that you get CAMBRIDGE’S ORANGE QUININE TONIC WINE 919 ITTANTED, a smart LAD for kitchen V work, and make himself generally useful. Apply at once, Ashburton Hotel. 924 NT ° TIC E . One of Walter A. Wood’s TWINE BINDERS will be WORKING on MON DAY afternoon at Mr. Chamberlain’s farm, within one mile of Chertsey railway station. An expert will be in attendance to give information re same to farmers. 925* pRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Services will be conducted on Sunday by C. S. Button, Esq., Barrister, late of Hokitika. 926



Throwing Extraordinary. — At Hull, Bonner and Jarvis threw a cricket ball for a fiver ” a-side, the former giving the latter five yards. The throws were Bonner, 122 yards 2 feei; Jarvis, 120 yards. What Next.— Some New Plymouth settlers are so delighted with a fine crop of wheat growing near Parihaka, that they have telegraphed the Government, suggesting that it might be worth while to offer facilities to experts to view the crop by giving them a free passage by the Hinemoa on her next visit to the West Coast.