SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Y ESTERDAY. Star of the South, s.s., from Westport. Beautiful Star, s.s., from Westport. To-day. Oreti, s.s., from Wellington. Hawea, s.s., from Northern ports. Romeo, for Falmouth and Cork. Mennock, for London. Sailed. Y ESTERDAY. Emerald, ketch, for Foxton. Go-Ahead, s.s., for Kaikoura, Welling ton, and Napier. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS.

Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Atlantic, for Ly ttel ton. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived Advance and Spray, schooners, from Greymouth ; Te Anau, from the South ; Hawea, from the North ; St. Kilda, from the e outh. iSailed—Te Anau, for Sydney, via the East Coast ; Grafton, for the West Coast. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived —Catlin, from Lyttelton, j Sailed— Comadre, barque, for London. Nelson, for Waitara. Dunedin, for Oamarn. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Penguin, from the North. Dunedin, To-day. Arrived —Otago, ship, 93 days out from London ; all well. Sydney, Yesterday. s.s., from Auckland, yesterday. . , Sailed—H.M. s.s. Wolverine and s.s. Hero, for New Zealand.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a. m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Cjldstreara, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a,m. daily. For Terauka, at G a.m. and 10 a.m., daily. For Timaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, bn Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a m. For Ashton, Watcrton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Wakanui, Elgin, Scafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6 a,m.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Office— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.25 ».m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a. m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p. m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. _

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Monday, April 25. Mr. T. Bullock, at Mr. Reany’s Farm, Mount Soraors —Horses, Cattle, Imple ments, A c.; 1 o’clock. Wednesday, April 27. Mr. T. Bullock, at Mr William lunia’ Farm, Wakanui —Stock, Implements, &c.; 1 o’clock. Saturday, April 30. Dan Henderson and Co., at their rooms, Saunders’ Buildings —Usual Weekly Sale ; 12 o’clock. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Wednesday, April 27. Agricultural and Pastoral Association- Annual Meeting, upper room of Town HalL Thursday, April 20. Public Meeting, re the Railway Engine Shed, Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. Monday, May 2. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, May 4. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. Winchester School Committee.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Trains Leave Ashburton for Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a.m,, 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains LEAVE ASHBURTON FOR TIMARU and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435p.in., and 7.50 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

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 be 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 bo addressed to The Ebitok.

BIRTH.

Bourse.— On April 22, at the North-east Belt, Ashburton, the wife of Mr C. Bourkc, of a son. Both doing well.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1881. The Cultivation of the Sun-Flower.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.30 p.m. J

It is gratifying to us to find that our efforts in the way of bringing under the notice of our readers the various fields existing for the establishment in our midst of local industries are not totally unappreciated, and it is still more pleasing to notice that amongst those who peruse the columns of Ihe Guardian there are some who, pos sessed of knowledge on the subject in hand, do not hesitate to bring such theories as they may be acquainted with under the public notice. Sufficient proof of this was given in the corres pondence published by us in our last issue on the subject of the utility of the sun-flower and the adoption of its growth as a local industry. That the theory and opinions of our correspon dent on the subject are correct we can vouch for. We, therefore, urge upon the notice of our readers the importance of its cultivation in our district. Our climate, the country at our disposal, and the small capital needed in embarking in such an enterprise, render the investment therein doubly attract ive. As it is our duty to insert any really interesting matter from those of our correspondents who desire to promulgate the advancement of Ash burton and its surroundings, we hope many more of our readers will contri bute towards our columns anything tending to increase the public i merest in the manufacture of 'ocal products. With reference to the s un-flower ( hclianihus) we find that there can be no doubt as to its utility and its high economic value for many pur poses. 'The plant, which belongs to the order of compisita, is a very hardy one, and, as we all know, grows to a height of from six to eight feet. It was intro duced originally from Peru, and has quite recently been found to possess valuable properties when manufactured. It is now grown on a large scale in Russia, Germany, India, and other countries, where the inhabitants duly appreciate the value of the industry. The seed —-like nutlets—of the plant, in their natural state, are excellent food for poultry and pigs ; when roasted they are said to be an excellent substitute for coffee ; crushed and pressed they yield an oil second in value only to olive oil, either for household purposes or as a lubricator for the delicate machinery of textile fabrics, while the residuum can be used as an oil cake to fatten cattle ; the stalks furnish a good fibre, the blossoms yield a brilliant and lasting yellow dye, and the leaves seem a valuable manure. Here, then, is a chance for some of our farmers and small capitalists, and those who are eager to establish local indus tries. Let the matter be thoroughly discussed by our Industrial Association. In practice as well as in theory let this convince our farmers that it will be re productive—a difficult matter at any times with the ordinary “ cockatoo ”; and, with our correspondent, we hope the time will come when he will be thanked for having first drawn public attention to the utility of the growth of the sun-flower in Ashburton.

A Protest.

We are always glad to learn of the advancement of our neighboring pro vinces, commercially or otherwise, and hence our joy at learning that they have discovered payable and promising coal fields in Blenheim. There is, how ever, a drop of bitterness in the cup of joy, and it takes the form of the trashy and lengthy character of the telegram conveying this reliable information to us on Thursday afternoon. There is always a claim to leniency to a first offender, but in this respect the Press Association can offer nothing extenu atory, this bieng nofirstappearance. The rules for the guidance of the agents of the Association in the execution of their duties stipulate that “care should be taken that the character of the news sent is likely to be of interest to readers at a distance and “ facts, not opinions, are what is wanted there fore, why should we be harrassed by lengthy and consequently costly tele grams on matters which are of little interest outside the district in which they transpire Possibly, that versatile gentleman, MrCroumbie Brown, special correspondent of the Lyttelton limes is a good judge of the qualities of coal and an expert in the matter of the prospects of a coal-bearing district, and it is equally possible, though we fail to see where the experience therein was gained, that Mr Blair, Railway En gineer, possesses like qualifications in a similar direction, but that these gentle men’s speeches are of such importance that they should be telegraphed at our expense, we decline to recognise. If these gentlemen desire puffing in the colonial press, our advertising columns, for one, are open to their patronage, and if they, or any others, are willing to pay the piper in this direction we will be prepared to pay the cost of tele graphing, otherwise we certainly pro test. If the agent of the Association at Blenheim does not possess a suffi cient knowledge regarding discrimi nating in the matter of what is news and what is purely trash, we would suggest the appointment of a person in his place possessing such qualifications.

No Business. —There was a clean sheet at the R.M. Court to-day. Racing Club. — A committee meeting took place this afternoon. Particulars of the business arrived to hand too late for publication, but will appear in our next issue.

Catholic Church, Rakaia.— The Rev. P. Coffey will hold services at the resi dence of Mr William Doherty, during to morrow.

Irrepressible Lottie. —The Auckland Observer states that “ Lottie Wilmot pro ceeds for libel against the Napier Tele graph and half-a dozen other Southern papers. ” Broke Down. —The Auckland police yesterday failed to secure a conviction in any one of the cases which they brought against various publicans for breaches of the Licensing Act. On the Right Side. —At the annual meeting of the Otago Daily Times and Witness Company, hold yesterday, the balance-sheet showed the nett profit for the year to be L 1,349 4s. The “Telegraph” Company.—At a meeting of the shareholders yesterday, instructions were given to wind up the affairs in connection therewith, and liquidators appointed. And Yet Another. Wickham, of the Free Lance, has been committed for trial on the charge of libelling Mr Hurst, M.H.R. for City West. Bail was allowed, himself in L2OO and two sureties of LIOO each.

The Engine Shed. —A public meeting is convened by his Worship the Mayor for Thursday next, at the Town Hall, to en deavor to obtain the removal of the rail way engine shod to a site whore it will be less a nuisance to the township.

Grand National Steeplechases.— The entries for the events at this annual meeting, to bo held this year at Timaru, appear elsewhere. They are far behind previous years in point of numbers, and are entirely confined to Middle Island horses.

Died in Gaol. —Thomas Fidgett, alias Shelon, who was sentenced to penal ser vitude at the criminal sessions of the Su reme Court, April, 1879, for setting fire Do some stacks at Otahuhu, died sud tdenly at Mount Eden Gaol yesterday. H® had previously tried to throw a train off the rails. He is said to have been a lieut entant in the Royal Navy. A Junenile Bushranger.-— A boy named Mulhern, 14 years old, belonging to the Auckland Industrial Home, and placed out with Mr Wyatt, of Kaipara, stole a horse, saddle and bridle, sealskin ru", and a tomahawk, and has taken to the bush. The horse has been recovered, but the police have not succeeded in cap turing Mulhern. Suicide. The medical examination yesterday on the body of Thomas Peake, an architect, who was found dead at Wanganui on Thursday, disclosed the fact that he had poisoned himself with strychnine. A verdict was returned at the inquest, that deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.

Another Defaulter. A telegram from Christchurch this afternoon, states that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mr W. W. Charters, who is now known to have left in the ship Orari for London. It is reported that defalcations to the extent of L 2,000 have been dis covered in the accounts of the Sydenham Building Society, of which lie was manager. A warrant will be despatched by mail leaving to-day.

St Stephen’s Sunday School Festival. —The annual treat In connection with the St Stephen’s Sunday School, took place yesterday, and was a great Success. The children were marched from the Church—where they first assembled and received an address from the incumbent— to the parsonage grounds, whore fun and frolic held high rule throughout the day. Every praise is due to the ladies and gen tlemen who lent their assistance to ensure the success of the treat. Parliament out of Session. —Mr Levin met the Wellington electors last evening, and during the course of his remarks said he regretted Mr Bryce’s retirement, was in favor of Mr Rolleston’s land adminis tration, but disapproved of indiscriminate settlement of people on the land. He would preserve the present education system intact, but he thought it cost more than we had a right to spend on it, and many economies ought to be practiced. Without impairing efficiency he would alter the age of compulsory education, and make the fourth standard the maxi mum in ordinary schools, but would have in each district a school to teach the fifth and sixth standards, charging a small fee to those able to pay it. He received a vote of thanks and confidence at the con clusion of his remarks.

The Novelty Consultation. The prizes in Mr J. L. Fleming’s recent Novelty Consultation on the Autumn, Easter," and Flying Handicaps were ap portioned as follows ; —The first prize in the Great Autumn went to a settler near Akaroa, the second prize to a gentleman in Kaiapoi ; the first in the Easter to a lady in Sydenham, the second to a gentle man in Christchurch ; the first prize in the Flying to a farmer at Courtenay, and the second to a Christchurch resident. The other prizes were distributed all over the colony. The drawing was filled by over 3,000 subscribers. Mr Fleming has now started a second Novelty Consulta tion on the Grand National Steeplechases, to be run on the Queen’s Birthday in Timaru.— Press.

Very Tall. —The following story, had it come from America, could easily be branded on sight as a lie, and one of no mean magnitude either. A gentleman, whom we call Captain Spanker Crain for the occasion (says the Adelaide Jteijixter'), went down to New Zealand the other day, and when ho came back said ho—“ Oh ! yes, I enjoyed my trip to New Zealand very much —very much indeed. Now Zealand is a fine country, a lino country, sir ; and the hot springs are immense— immense, sir ; no other word describes it. Talk about cure for gout ! why you have only got to bathe in the hot springs a few times, and it’ll draw every particle of gout you have got in your body clean out— won’t leave a remnant. 1 was there. I saw it, and I tell you it was surprising. Round the sides of those pools were heaped piles of gout—all the gout that has been taken from tho suffering persons of all the Europeans who have bathed there since New Zealand was colonised. There it is in masses like the rocks at Port Victor, and the Maoris saw it out in blocks and build houses with it ” When next Baron Munchausen thinks of publishing a book, he should make terms with the gallant Captain Cram.

Twenty-eight Weeks in a Tiiance.— The medical faculty of Germany have been much interested lately in a case of long-standing trance on the part of a girl of 13 years~of ago. The facts are, for once, undisputed ; and no possible suspi sion of trick or collusion can arise. The patient lay for twenty-eight weeks apparently in a state of profound sleep at the Hospital of St John’s, at Kerder weisel, near Butzbach. During the time she never once woke, or received nourish ment of any kind. She was visited by upwards of GOO medical men from differ ent parts of Germany during the duration of her trance, and some French and English physicians are also said to have seen her. Great interest was taken by the faculty in the question whether the girl would retain sufficient strength to recover on awaking from her long sleep, or whether she would rapidly sink. This problem is now set at rest. The girl awoke some three weeks since, and has now Quite recovered, though still remain ing in the hospital under medical super vision, The case continues to attract attention, and to give rise to discussions in medical circles in Germany.

Onions and potatoes should be put into warm water an hour before cooking.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[per kkuter’s agency.] Beaconsfield’s Funeral. London, April 21. It now transpires that the proposal of the Right Hon. W T . E. Gladston that the funeral of the late Earl of Beaconsfield should be publicly per formed was made by the desire of the Queen, but that Her Majesty has deferred to the wishes expressed by the late Earl’s will that the funeral should be of a simple character. The interment will take place at Hughenden on Tuesday next. Won’t Accept It. The convention of Land Leaguers held in Ireland, at which r,OOO mem bers were present, has passed resolu tions setting forth the definite refusal of the League to accept the provisions of the Irish I,and Bill now before Parliament unless material amendments are made.

Monetary, &c. Consols remain at ioo)i The Bank rate of discount remains at 3 per cent.; the market rate has been reduced to iy 2 per cent. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the bank of England is Li 5,500,000. New Zea -1879-1984 loan has advanced to five per cent. 10.40 loan remains un changed at 103, and the five per cent. 1889 loan at 106.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] A Marked Man. Brisbane, To-day. The steamer Brisbane has arrived at Cooktown, from Hong Kong, with 350 Chinese. One of them is suffering from small pox, and the vessel has therefore been quarantined The Transcontinental Railway. Mr MTlraith, the Premier, telegraphs from London that he has come to an agreement for a company to carry out the Transcontinental Railway Scheme, subject to surveys confirming represen tations which have been made. A sur veying expedition will leave London for Queensland in the middle of May.

Sugar. Melbourne, April 22. Mauritius advices to the Bth instant report that engagements of sugar amount 10425 tons for Adelaide, 1,100 tons for Melbourne, and 450 tons for other ports. The tone of the market was then unchanged. The Plate. Sydney, April 22. The following are the acceptances for the AJ.C. Plate, to be run for to morrow: —Progress, Wellington, Sap phire, Martindale, Good Morning, Orient, Richmond and Canary. Going to the Mines- Communications are passing between Sir Henry Parkes, Premier and Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, and the Governor of Hong Kong, relative to the present Chinese rush to this colony. Most of the new arrivals are going to the tin mines. The Markets. Adelaide, A,pril 22. Wheat, 4s 4d to 4s to sd. Town (lour, Lio 53 to Lro ios ; country brands, Lq‘ 7s 6d to L 9 10s. Freights to London, steamers, 45s ; ditto, sailing vessels, 40s; freights to the United Kingdom, from Adelaide, 42s 6d; ditto, from outports, 455.

NEW ZEALAND

[per press association.] The Government Declined. Dunedin, To-day Mr Simpson, R. M., and Mr Maitland, J.P., were invited to investigate the charges against the Benevolent Institute management. The Government declined to do so as the institution is not a public one. Another Incendiary Fire. Early on Thursday morning, a six roomed house at Green Island, belonging to Mr George Wallace, was destroyed by fire. It was insured in the Victoria office Ll6O. Mr Wallace estimates the value of the tenement at Ll2O above that amount. As the place had been unoccupied for six weeks, it is supposed the fire was the work of an incendiary. And Yet Another. Invercargill, To-day. 'Anderson Bros, saw-mill, near Inver cargill, was burned down last night. The working plant was destroyed or made useless, and only insured for a small amount in the National office.

SPORTING.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. The following are tho entries for the New Zealand Grand National Steeple chase Club mooting, to bo hold on May 24 : Maiden Plate. —Sailor Boy, Rouser, Undo Toni, Marvel, Vanguard (late Tam o’ Sliantor), Stella, Winfield (late Thilo), Kosciusko, Shark, Lady Mary, and Quamby. New Nealand Grand National Hunt Cluii Cur.—Tho Agent, Clarence, Raven, Kosciusko, Lady Mary, Quamby, and Blush Rose (late Miss Hungorfovd). N.Z.G. N. Steeplechase Handicap.— Sailor Boy, Mousetrap, Tho Agent, Clarence, Winfield, Kosciusko, Shark, Lady Mary, and Blush Rose.

Sad End of a Parisian Celebrity.

{Truth.) Does any one remember a beautiful girl who went by the nickname La Canute and flashed through the Parisian world during the last year of the Second Empire ? She was called “ Comet ”on account of her exceeding length and the loveliness of her golden hair. Theo philc Gautier wrote a sonnet to her, Cabanel painted her portrait, Worth dressed her, and Leon Cugnot took her as the model of his pretty statute “La Baigneuse.” Her real name was Adele Terchout, and just before the Franco- German war broke out she declined an offer of marriage from an elderly duke with a very ancient escutcheon. At that time she owned one of the finest mansions in the Champs Elysees, had twelve horses in her stable, and a bushel of diamonds in her dressing case. Recently this dazzling creature died in a Parisian hospital, absolutely destitute; and the disease which carried her off was the most hideous that could befall a pretty woman —a lupus vorax , or cancer in the face, which totally disfigured her. Like Zola’s “ Nana,” the only vestige left of her beauty when she died was her matchless hair, which measured nearly five feet.

JOTTINGS.

[By Sinecure.]

My friend Smoothbore was certainly very unkind to a new chum who went out shooting with a small but select party the other day. N.O. could “talk” a bit about shooting in the old country ; but he certainly was disgusted with the grim remark of Smoothbore, who admonished him thusly : “Don’t shoot that tall gentleman, for he is my banker ; nor that spare, slight one, for he is my lawyer ; but if you must pepper somebody, let it be yonder fat old insolvent, who is unable to offer hi? creditors anything but his life policy.”

What peculiar ideas some people must have regarding N.Z. Government em ployment ? One of the representatives of a neighboring town in the General Assembly was the other day interviewed hy a needy politician, in order to obtain some Government employment. The member at once proceeded to write a letter of introduction to the head of a certain department, where a vacancy was shortly to occur, as follows :—“ This will introduce Mr Fitzbarron, who desires employment ” “Wait! hold on a bit,” said F— ;“ it isn’t the employment I want ; it’s a Government billet.” How refreshing it is to find that some can appreciate a Government billet even now !

Moat divines are pretty good hands at extracting the cash from the pockets of their parishioners, but the method adopted by a new arrival in Canterbury surpasses anything of the kind this guileless child of nature ever heard of in this line. The rev. gentleman, after preaching a most eloquent sermon, descended from his pulpit and proceeded to lock the church door ; and thus having secured his con gregation—of whom I, as bad luck would have it, happened to he one—he coolly drew from his pocket a sheet of foolscap, and, pencil in hand, proceeded to Jo some “jottings,” in the shape of taking the names of all and sundry, and placing opposite each of them good round sums in aid of the building fund for a new church. My turn came at last, and I mentioned the sum of sixpence as my modest contribution to the new edifice ; but the rev. collector assured me that he thought I was able to afford much more than that, and down went the name of Sinecure for half-a-crown. If he did the same thing with all whom he had locked in, I should say his ten minutes’ sub scription getting yielded a handsome return. lam not going to that church any more—not for Sinecure.

Of course I went to the races. Who didn’t ? And came back a sadder and.. I hope, a wiser man. The first day I devoted to backing sporting “tips,” and losing money, and the second day was spent in searching for either or all of the men who the day before the race were so obliging as to tell an indebted public what was to bo the one for the Great Autumn. I put the cheque which I had received for my last week’s “jottings” upon the one that the tipsters said was to be the real Simon Pure, but, alas for the vanity of human prophecy, when that prophecy relates to the “ noble British sport ! ” I think that’s the correct term, although for the life of me I could see very little nobility about it on Monday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, when I saw the quadruped that carried my dollars first at the wrong end.

Talking of the races, that is a pretty good joke that notion of two Christchurch book makers laying an information under the Vagrant Act against Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, for using a totalisator or pari mutuel on the course, it being an instru ment for the purpose of gambling 1 Any one who was present at the races would not wonder at the bitter hostility evinced towards the totalisator by the “ metalli cians.” To see the crowds of eager people anxious to get their pounds “ on ” their particular fancy—while the leather lunged inside and outside the paddock could scax-cely lay a wager with all their eloquence, was a sufficient explanation of the action of Messrs Drake and Snider in summoning the provisions of the Vagrant Act to their assistance.

There has lately been travelling through this “ Britain of the South ” a gentleman of great experience in railway matters in the Old Country and elsewhere, and after an inspection of our lines here, he has asserted that they are the most expen sively managed of any that have come under his notice. But there is one item of economy for which I don’t think the railway expert has given our paternal Government credit. 1 allude to the matter of lighting the carriages after dark. To judge by the quality of the light sup lied on the last train from Christchurch five nights out of six, I should say the lighting was done by contract, and that at a pretty low figure. In fact, the only possible utility of the lighting (?) once or twice this week was to enable people to see the darkness around them. Studious travellers wishing to read on their jour neys will soon find that a candle is an absolute necessity in their travelling bags.

THE REEFTON MURDER.

Grkymouth, April 22.

The adjourned enquiry into this case was hold at Reefton on Wednesday and Thursday. A number of witnesses were examined, but the greater portion of the evidence was only corroborative of the facts already published. Tho accused, M'Gahey, listened to the evidence in a most calm and collected manner, and keenly cross-examined the witnesses upon material points.—Dr Thorpe said there was no sign of any gun-shot wound about tho be dy of the murdered man. In his opinion, the wound on the head had been caused by one blow only.—Thomas Lecher said ho had worked for Bell for some time, and Mrs M'Gahey was living there. She and Bell were on good terms, though they had a quiet growl sometimes. Often hoard her say she was afraid of her life of M'Gahey. Bell did not appear to be afraid. Ho said if M'Gahey came there to annoy him he would prosecute him. Mrs M'Gahey and Bell did not live to gether as man and wife ; they had separate rooms. When he returned to Boll’s on Friday night he told Mrs M'Gahey and Bell about meeting M'Gahey at Gallagher’s, but they made no remark. Never saw any impropriety between Bell and Mrs M'Gaeey while living there. Never observed any cloth ing of Bell’s in Mrs M'Gahey’s room, except on Sundaj*, when he noticed a colored shirt in that room. In reply to M'Gahey, witness said he never heard of 801 l being kicked by a cow. Never heard Bell say anyone had a down on him but M'Gahey. 801 l and Mrs M'Gahey parted on good terms. The inquest was resumed on Thursday. Alexander King said M'Gahey stopped at his store on Friday night. He had a loaded gun, and was excited. M'Gahey was anxious to go on that night, about ton, but witness prevailed on him to go to bed, and when taking him upstairs M'Gahey said, “ My God, King, I must have revenge.” Next morning, about C o’clock, he saw M'Gahey leave, and go to wards Boatman’s. Had heard M ‘Gahey speak disrespectfully of Bell and Mrs M'Gahey, but never heard him make use of any threats. M'Gahey gave no reason for wanting to leave that night or so early the next day. When accused made use of the expression he was in liquor, but not drunk. In reply to accused witness said—When I took you to bed you said you had been accused of an action of which you had not been guilty, and that ; you would have revenge. That was when

you made use of the words “ I’ll have i revenge.” The splinters produced are . like the wood of the gun you carried, blit I could not swear to them. Frank M'Lean said he had a drink with M'Gahey at his invitation when going down the Buller road. Saw something strange about his face, and asked his trouble. He said he was in trouble about his wife, and that she was in town procuring a warrant for his arrest. He said he was in a great way about his wife, as a man named Bell asked him why he did not go away from the place altogether. He said he would not for the present, and would have his re venge upon them. Witness cautioned him about such remarks, and said Bell and she were not worth interfering with. He said he did not care, and would blow their very brains before Sunday. Again cautioned him about what lie was saying, and told him to be very careful, as he was then in a state of great excitement. For a second time witness wanted accused to come to his place and have a cup of tea, but he declined, and said h« would go back to town. That was the last ho saw of accused. He could not say whether he went to Reefton or the Buller. He had no swag or gun. He was sober, but vei’y excited. Previous to this had never heard him make any remarks about his trouble. Was not acquainted with Bell or Mrs M'Gahey. In reply to the police in re spect to M'Gahey’s threats, witness said that when he cautioned him about talk ing so, M'Gahey replied that he would do away with himself, or words to that effect. —Thomas Penniall knew Bell and M'Gahey. Was down the Buller road on April 16 at 10 a.m. He was three quarters of a mile from Larry’s Creek when he heard the report of a gun, and remarked that someone was shooting. When he and Bennett, who was with him at the time, went to Bell’s, they found the body lying on its left side in the cow shed. There"was a mark under the right ear and a crack at the back of his head. He picked i p pieces of paper which he took to be the wad of a gun. Saw Con stable O’Brien pick up a paper collar with blood on it. (Previously a witness had deponed that Bell did not wear a paper collar.) Noticed what was apparently the print of a man’s heel in the mud, and spots of blood about the shed ; also where the body had been dragged along the mud inside. Looked about, but saw no marks of shot or bullet. Found no other traces of the gun but the two small splinters pro duced. Took no notice of footprints about the shed. He had not seen M'Gahey that day.—Michael O’Keefe said he saw M'Gahey on Monday night on the road to Antonio’s. He said he was in want of a cup of lea. —George Rees said—M'Gahey came to his house on Monday night, and asked for a supper and bed, saying ho was very hungry. Witness gave him dry pants and socks, as he was wet, and he 1 had a drink at the bar. Accused gave him 1 three pound notes wrapped in a piece of 1 newspaper, and asked him to separate > them, as they were wet, and take pay ment for three meals as he was very 1 hungry. Showed him to bed at ten p. m. 1 He said he would not get up very early, [ as he was sleepy. About 2 o’clock he was arrested and taken to Reefton. On en quiry as to where M'Gahey came from,' he said he had been prospecting, but did ■ not say where. His wet and miserable ' condition did not create any curiosity in i the mind of witness, because such a thing ■ was a common occurrence in that part of I the country. At this stage of the pro ceedings Inspector Emmerson applied for an adjournment, which was granted.

LISA.

CHAPTER I. Just on the outskirts of the forest, which belonged to a great Belgian noble, where the ground was broken into ravines clothed with brushwood, and separated from each other by sharp rocky ridges hard to climb, lay the prettiest little gorge of all, because the greenest, and half-way down it was the old Mill of Vaucourt.

On either side, the steep grassy cliffs, made steeper here and there by pro truding brown rocks, shut out all view of the world beyond.

‘To make us think more of the heavens above us,’ said Lisa, the miller’s daughter. Through the gorge brawled a moun tain stream, born not far off in the forest there, but already, like a sturdy boy, so full of noisy strength that it turned the old wheel like a plaything, and hurried with great leaps over all the rocks in its way down—still down —towards the wide, misty plains of the lowlands. Round a bend of the hill spur, at the lower end of the gorge, lay little Vaucourt itself, where the folk at the mill went to see the neighbors or to hear mass on Sundays and fete days. And again, up by your right from the mill, a little path wound under the cliff and away through the forest; even (if you went far enough) to the high road, which partly passed through the wood and led though still farther to the great town.

Here Lisa of the mill was standing one July evening, shading her eyes from the last rays of the sun and gazing into the tree shadows. She was the eldest child of old Armand Duplessis, the miller j too good and pure for earth he thought at times, and, indeed, in childhood his wife had believed their tender babe must die, so vowed her to Mary if she recovered. She did grow up after that, but was so pale and gentle, so tall and slender, dressed in pure white, too (according to her mother’s vows), that the neighbors called her, with wondering praise at her unlikeness to their own strong, square built girls, our Lily of Vaucourt. The parents had liked the name, and the little brothers and sisters called her Lis, thinking also that sweet elder something altogether different from themselves.

When the mother went to rest in Holy Mary’s bosom (because she died when the youngest, little Bebe, was born, our blessed lady having especial pity on such dying mothers), all the country-side spoke in reverend ad miring wonder of how Lisa had brought up those children, herself hardly more than a child.

‘ But she prays so fervently that the dear saints must surely help her,’ said the Curd.

And now it was five years since then, and Lisa’s day of days—her wedding day ! —was coming in August. Jacques Lemaitre was hardly good enough for her, the neighbors thought; but he was handsome and well-off for a wood cutter. It was a pity she had not chosen one of their own sons instead of a stranger lately employed by the Prince’s forester, but young girls were fanciful, and preferred new faces to those to which they had, mayhap, grown over-used.

She was still looking down the forest path in her pale lilac cotton dress, with snow-white cap and apron ; a lace frill round her neck, and her mother’s gold earrings in her ears. A dark-haired, dark-eyed, slight, tall peasant girl only ; but so sweet-faced

and of a pallor so tender and pure that she looked as if she had always just risen from devotion.

Here he was coming ! And with a wonderful joy lighting up her eyes and tingling her face into faint color, Lisa went forward gently to greet her lover. ‘ How late you are, dear Jacques; the supper is already on the table, and the father and good grandmother and the little ones are waiting. But you look strange !’ ‘ Tired, little one, tired. Do not touch me,’ I.emaitre hoarsely said, drawing away as she laid light fingers on his arm.

1 I feel too hot and dusty and dirty. A lily should not be soiled ; so let-me wash my face and hands first I had so far to come, I would not have done it but that you made me promise.’ ‘ But your face ! it is all bruised on this temple, and your eyes cannot look at mine, and are bloodshot—your hands are trembling—what has happened, my dear one?’ the young girl exclaimed, her large eyes dilating, and her face growing paler. It was true. Jacques’ close-cropped black hair seemed disordered; the blouse, which covered his broad shoulders and strong, frame was slightly torn, whilst his narrow, deep-set eyes were reddened; they fell too, as if weak, under her gaze. * I had a narrow escape, Lisa. A giant tree we had been cutting crashed down too soon, and a branch felled me to the ground—my head still swims and my eyes saw as if flames—and blood ! That is all’

‘All! I might have lost you !’ she uttered in dismay and horror. Then with a revulsion of feeling added with pious thankfulness — ‘ Ah, it was no doubt my prayers last night, that all evil and dangers might be kept far from you, that were your safeguard. The saints stood by you !’ And, as she so said in trembling awe struck tones, great tsars of tenderness rose to her eyes though she tried to smile. -

The woodcutter clenched his big fingers with a nervous movement of, one might have almost thought, des peration ; then drew his coat sleeve over his eyes and forehead. Surely he was thinking to himself he did not deserve such affection. *Ah ! ah ! when young folks are affianced, the woodcutting does ndt prosper very finely,’ cried old Armand, as all sat down to supper round the well scoured table, while overhead from the brown raftejs dangled herbs and onions, which, said the grandmother, gave a pleasant smell. ‘You do not eat, my son,’ went oh the old man. ‘ Try some of that brown bread there. Since Lisa baked it, 'twill taste the sweeter.’ Jacques gave an awkward laugh, and he started from a dream, then whispered, bending his handsome sallow face to his sweetheart’s, ‘ I have something to give thee, little one, after a while.’ ‘ What is it ?’ asked Lisa, as, (he meal over, he drew her aside to the deep diaraond-paned casement over looking the mill-wheel. Then she gave a cry of wonder as he put in her hand a row of beads, from which fell a small silver cross, each pale brown bead of some fragrant foreign wood with chased silver inlaid in it. Had it not cost all his earnings ? and sixteen beads ! why it wanted just sixteen days to their wedding day! Each day she would say a long prayer for him; Maybe his thoughts were more earthly, for he never answered that, but abruptly asked her to come and talk with him as a reward; and Lisa promised with shy pleasure. But first she would hear the little ones their prayers; none other must do that till she left home. Jacques’face darkened somewhat at that, but he went patiently outside to where the miller was seated on a rough bench near the house door. Turning sideways the goodman could see into the pleasantly sombre kitchen, where the old grandmother was dozing in her high chair, while near the table, now cleared and clean again, sat his lily maiden with the three youngest at her knee. Good Manon, the next eldest, broad, strong, and just fifteen, was listening with all her ears to the teaching of little prayers, the devout legends and tender counsels to be good of her elder; sturdily resolving to remember every word and say them over and over again to the little ones when their Lua was married. For Manon’s brain could not devise for itself, and could not even hold much at a time. Lisa was so full of holy thoughts she could actually invent new little prayers most wonderfully for all occasions. But then the kind Cur 6 consoled Manon by telling her she had Martha’s gift, and was stronger to rub the big coppers. ‘ I wonder you give her to roe, Father Armand !’ said Jacques, so suddenly that the worthy miller took his long pipe in surprise out of his mouth.

‘ Why yes !’ said the latter, approv ingly, while the wood cutter’s face flushed and he bent his eyes earthward, as if his words had come out unawares, and were too true to be wise.

; But youth has it’s hey-day, and the old folks must not be selfish. Manon is very useful too, already. I am also right glad you have the cottage in Vaucourt nearest the forest. The neighbors will keep my Lisa company while you are in the woods, and the Chapel is so near that it gladdens her. She is good, Jacques—but good ! ah, too much so I almost think. That suits for the skies better than our poor earth.’

As Lisa slept out in the twilight both men hushed.

The girl drew Jacques with her, then, in gentle playfulness to show him something, as she said, round the house corner by the south wall; now he must shut his eyes a moment —now open them . . so! And she laughed in gay triumph, and showed him a wonder ful plant in a pot —a tall green lily almost seven feet high, with so many buds all unclosing that it was a marvel to see.

The kind old Cur£ had given it her last winter, saying with his gentle laugh that it was her other self, and might it prosper as she did, and it would prove fair and white-leaved as a saint, but warmly rosy, human-like, at the heart, while the brown spots on it should be but freckles when the sun kissed it, as in summertime her own pale cheeks. Yes—yes! it was pretty. But : then again Jacques asked Lisa with feverish

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1881.



Hayes’ rjIIMBER YARDS. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a ?ery large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the same at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. 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* jyj-R 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 TJ3E ASHBURTON GUARDIAN PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. PENNY. A DVBRTISERS are reminded that A the ASHBURTON GUARDIAN commands ’ the LARGEST CIRC ULA nON in the Borough and Suburbs, and the prices : for advertisements are very



Wanted- WANTED at once—A MAN for gene ral out-door work, must bo a good Milker ; references required. Apply to W. C. Walker, Yaletta. 587 a ANTED—An Active LAD, to sell The Ashburton Guariliun on the Ash burton-Winslow Line. None but smart Boys need apply. ‘ ANTED—TENDERS for 400 Acres, more or less, of Turnips, at Methven, to bo fed off by the 25th July. Tenders to be sent into Pocook Brothers, Methven, not later than the 25th of this month, April. s'.'Ga ANTED—A Family’s WASHING. Apply, Office of this paper. 178 a ANTED—MRS PAULING bogs to notify that she has taken that Commodious House in Moore street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Manse, where she will bo glad to ACCOMMO DATE PATIENTS requiring surgical or medical aid. Mrs Pauling has had very considerable experience as Ladies’ Nurse, both at Home and in Now Zealand. 528 a WANTED to PURCHASE—BONES, in any quantities. Apply, Mayo and Hunt, Beach road. 130 a ' rAN TE D KNOW N That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a. m. till 5 n.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a



WANTED TO SELL PIANOS. H. J. WEEKS, Teacher of Music, Tuner, &c., has for sale the following Secondhand Piano fortes ; 1 full-sized Brinsmead, £45; Bord, £25; Broad wood, £26; also, American Organ, 5 stops, £3O; 1 Church Harmonium 14 stops, £3O, a bargain. Pianofortes of any kind can be obtained on deferred pay ments. Dresden Model Pianos, £45 and £55. Address; Cameron street west. 86a \TT ANTED KNOWN. Ashburton V\ 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 Ser”ants 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



WANTED KNOWN SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M'RAE begs to inform the . public that he has taken the above Stables from Mr. Bossenberg, and is making extensive repairs. Buggies and saddle horses on hire. Lowest prices and best attention. 852 WANTED THE GUARDIAN tells your Wants for Is., cash. Special Advertisements. rp HE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ASHBURTON BRANCH.



THE Buy and sell for NEW ZEALAND Cash only CLOTHING FACTORY NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. W. SPARROW, 369a* Branch Manager. mWO-ROOMED COTTAGE TO LET. JL Apply, Office of this Paper.



Encourage local enter- PRISE, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers lo Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (just arrived). 1,000, 7s Gd ; G,OOO, Gs 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barinu Square. 365 a OT IC E TO SUBSCRIBERS Subscribers to-this Journal are requested t,o communicate with the Proprietor when any delays or omissions in the Delivery of this Paper occur. W. H. ZOUCH, Proprietor. Y. R, is a OTICE —The Ashburton Guardian Gazette for all notices under the Debtors and Creditors Ac*»