SHIPPING .

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived- Yesterday. Orest of the Wave, schooner, from Stewart’s Island. Marlborough, ship, from London. To-day. Wakatipii, s.s., from Wellington. Wanaka, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. To-day. Westport, s.s., for Wellington and West Coast porta. Southern Cross, s.s., for East Coast ports of North Island. Wakatipu, s.s., for Dunedin. Wanaka, s s , for the North SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —C. A. Littlefield from Lyttel ton . Winifred from Fiji. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived- Penguin, from the North ; Jessie Nichol, from Greymouth. Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived—Rinsrarooma, from Melbourne, via the South ; Wanaka, from the North. Wellington, To-day. Sailed—Ships Pleione and Piako, for London.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, January 3. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Stock. Thursday, January 5. J, T. Ford and Co., at the Tinwald Yards—Farm Stock and Plant. Tuesday, January 10. Messrs J. T. Ford & Co., at the Spread Eagle Hotel—Farm Stock and Imple ments. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &o Monday, January, 2. Winslow Annual Races and Sports ; first event at 11 a.m. Wakanui Annual Races and Sports. Chertsey Annual Races and Sports. Tuesday, January 3. St John’s Lodge, Monthly Meeting, Ma sonic Hall, 7.30 p.m. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, January 4. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o'clock. Thursday, January 5. Wakanui Road Board—Monthly Meeting, Road Board Office, Moore street L.O.L. —Monthly Meeting, Templar Hall.

DEATH.

Hampton. —On Friday, December 30th, at Newlands, Mary Edith, fifth daugh ter of Benjamin and Sarah Jane Hamp ton, late of Kilmore, County Armagh, Ireland ; aged 2 years 10 months.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 430 p.m.j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas, et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1881. The Past Year.

The year 1881, which is on the eve of passing away, has not been an un eventful one for Ashburton. If very much lias not been actually accom plished in the way of progress during the past twelve months, a good deal has at least been initiated that promises to bear good fruit at no very distant period. When iBBr dawned the cloud of depression which had settled over the colony more than two years be fore, was still lowering ; the prospect was a black one indeed, and there was nothing whatever to indicate that the sun was shining behind those black clouds. Of course, persons were not wanting who were ready to declare that as every dog had its day, New Zealand had had hers ; that she had been living too fast and was now utterly “ played out.” But the depression was not con fined to New Zealand alone ; it was felt all over the world, and its effects have ,not yet wholly disappeared, and during the past three months there have been re-assuring signs of better times coming; the black clouds have not blown over, but there are rifts dis tinctly perceptible in them, little bits of blue sky visible, which lead one to imagine that it is not taking too sanguine a view of the future to predict that before New Year’s Day, 1883, shall have arrived the reaction which has seemingly set in in Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales will have extended to these shores, and that there will be a general revival of trade and business generally throughout the colony. Leaving the future, with this hopeful feeling, to take care of itself, let us take a retrospective glance at the past, and briefly review what has taken place in Ashburton during that time. Very early in the year a most important public work was undertaken in the con struction of the outfall drain, which, completed at a cost of Li.,700, has re volutionised the drainage system of the place. The refuse water no longer finds its way into the street gutters to flow anywhere, or, worse still, to stag nate, and, by sinking into the ground, poison the water of our wells and breed sickness and disease. Now the liquid sewage flows into good concrete side-channels flushed with ever-running water and is carried away to the out-fall drain, from whence it is emptied into the river below the town. The importance of this work from a sanitary point of view cannot be over-estimated. The extension of the Mount Somers Railway has been recently proceeded with, and the samples of coal and stone lately ex hibited from this district give abundant proof of its mineral resources, and lead to the hope that they may soon be developed to the uttermost. And now for some small items : A new Road district the Rangitata has been formed out of the Upper Ashburton Road District ; a hunt club has been most successfully established; a war has been waged against the small birds, sparrow clubs having been established in nearly every part of the district. The small-birds # nuisance, as it is called, J

is not yet abated but remains as much of a nuisance as ever. Whether we shall devise some more effectual method of dealing with it during the present year remains to be seen. The 24th of March last was an important day for Ashburton, for on thrt day the Industrial Exhibition was opened by his Excellency the Governor at the Town Hall. The Exhibition was an unqualified success, and it undoubtedly gave a stimulus to trade hereabouts at a time when things were not so lively even as they are at present. Such ex hibitions are extremely useful for the healthy spirit of emulation they excite amongst trades and manufactures. The project of getting up an exhibition originated with the Industrial Associa tion, to the members of which the community is under a considerable obligation. More recently the Associa tion has initiated the Cheese and Butter Factory scheme, and there can be little doubt of the concern proving a re munerative one. The benefits derivable from it, should it indeed be successfully established, will not be limited to the Shareholders of the Company, but must indirectly benefit the entire community by adding to the resources of the place and increasing its importance. A sug gestion was recently made that the Association should be wound up, and we are glad that that suggestion fell to the ground, for we are satisfied that the Association has a most useful career before it. It was recently proposed by this Society that a Woollen Factory should be established in Ashburton —a working plant, etc., having been offered - to it on very favorable terms, but al though the proposal was negatived so far as the Association was concerned we are glad to hear that it is not to be altogether abandoned until it has been re considered by a committee of gentle men interested in the project. We trust the decision arrived at by those gentlemen may be a favorable one, for we are thorough believers in these local industries and can see no reason why the Ashburton tweeds should not be come as well known in the market as those of Mosgiel or Kaiapoi. It has been urged as an objection 10 the Woollen Factory scheme that such an undertaking would require an enormous capital to set it afloat, but if the ex perience of some of the Home manu factures is to be taken as any criterion this view is surely a mistaken one. Let us instance Mr Bliss’ case. But a com paratively few years ago Mr Bliss com menced business in a very humble way indeed at his native town of Chipping Norton, in Oxfordshire. The proprietor and his son, in fact, did most of the work, for they had but very little money in hand, and yet Bliss’ Tweeds have earned a world-wide reputation. A number of new buildings have been added to Ashburton during the past year and several important ones are in course of erection. In Havelock street have been erected a fine, new coach factory, which is in every respect a credit to the place, adjoining - it are a row of .substantially built brick shops ; in Tancred street are new and com modious brick premises; a new bank, the Bank of Australasia, has been erected on an excellent site, and a great many private houses have gone up out side the town. The elections have of course been amongst the most exciting events of the year here as elsewhere. For Ashburton Mr E. G. Wright was returned unopposed ; for the neighbor ing and “ virgin constituency ” of Wakanui there were at one time no fewer than four candidates in the field. But to advert any great length to this struggle would be unnecessary, as it is so fresh in the recollection of the public. Mr J. C. Wason was returned by a majority of 10. Mr Purnell took his defeat with great good humor, and has not been liked the less for it. The other unsuccessful candidate could not meet the result of the election quite so philosophically. He had made up his mind to win, and was bitterly disap pointed when he lost. He talks about appealing against the return' of Mr Wason, on the ground that that gentle man was unfairly elected—whether he will take his case into the Election Court remains to be seen.

Our Morning Contemporary. —lt is notified that after this date the Ashburton Mail will appear as a tri-weekly paper as formerly.

The Governor. —We understand that His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon h.;3 taken a residence in Christchurch for a short period, and intends taking up his abode for some little time in that city. It is now fully expected that he will remain in order to be present and open the Ex hibition in March next, after which he proceeds to England on a visit.

Ashburton Primitive Methodist Church. —The members of this denomina tion and other residents will be glad to hear that the Rev. Mr Nixon has so far recovered from his recent illness as to be able to resume his duty at the Wills street church to-morrow. An advertisement elsewhere gives the subjects chosen for the morning and evening services. Mr Isaac Scott preaches at Newlands in the morning instead of at Ashburton Forks, and Mr H. Grayburn in the afternoon.

Police Court.—At the Police Court th’s morning, before Mr O. P. Cox, J. P., an inebriate who admitted his offence but attributed it “ as much to the weather as anything else,” was discharged with a caution, his Worship telling him that he had better be careful of the weather in future. Patrick O’Shannassy was then charged, on the information of Richard Chudleigh, with assaulting him. It ap peared that another man, named John Kellar, was also mixed up with tne affair, but the police had been unable to find him as yet. Sergeant Felton therefore asked that the case might be remanded until Wednesday. The defendant was remanded accordingly, bail being ac cepted, himself in LSO and two sureties of L 25 each. The Court then rose. Returning Returning Officers.—The Inspector of Police at Hokitika received a telegram from Ross last night, stating that Allan and Retly, the two Returning Offi cers, supposed to be lost down south since December 12th, are safe, and on their way to Ross.

Changes on the Line.—Mr Francis, who for the last four years has held the position of stationmaster at Chertsey, is about to be transferred to a similar posi tion at Amberley. He has given general satisfaction while at Chertsey. and we hope the change will be to his advantage. Fire. —We regret to hear that a fire broke out on Mrs Matthew Gibson’s farm at Wakanui, about ten minutes to three yesterday afternoon, and resulted in the total destruction of a stable and a valu able horse which was in it at the time. About LIOO worth of harness and sun dries were also burnt. The origin of the fire is unknown, and as the property, we hear, was uninsured, Mrs Gibson is, un fortunately, a loser to the extent of folly LX2Q.

Dysentery. —We regret to learn that since the setting in of the fruit season dysentery has become very prevalent in Ashburton and the surrounding districts. It will he remembered that about this time last year the mortality arising irons this distressing complaint was enormous in Ashburton. People cannot be too cautious in avoiding the use of unwholesome or tainted food and bad water and in observ ing proper sanitary precautions. Another Tussock Fire. A spai’k from the engine attached to the express train from Christchurch sot thetussocksm a blaze near Dromore this morning, and the wind carried t,ho flames with great rapidity towards Newlands. It was some time before the fire burnt ifcsolf out. The Dear Departed. The Christ church Liberty, that disgrace to colonial journalism, has ceased to exist. Its cir culation has been growing considerably weaker of late, as people have begun to feel ashamed of being seen reading it. We understand that the circular has been issued of another society paper, but it will have to be planned on very different ; lines to the defunct rag if it wishes to enjoy a prosperous career. Hospital Sunday in Melbourne.— The collection taken at the various churches in Melbourne amounted to L 6,600 on Hospital Sunday.

The Oddfellows’ Hall.— Elsewhere will be found an advertisement calling for tenders for the erection of this hall for "Ashburton. A Handsome New Year’s Present.— The British Government have agreed to -make a present to the New South Wales Government of the war ship Wolverine, fully armed. To Speculators, —Mr Bullock notifies the sale of several town sections on Thursday next, at his rooms East street, also an important sale of furniture at RaEaia on the 12th prox. Tenders. —lntending tenderers for the West Oxford Railway contract (formation, permanent way, and bridges) are reminded that tenders close at noon on January 3rd next. Alternative tenders will be received for the above contract conditionally that the whole of the sleepers required are of black birch. Further particulars appear elsewhere. Watch Night Services. —ln accord ance with a time-honored custom the usual “ Watch ” service will be held at the Wesleyan Church to-night, at 10.30. A service, also of a similar character, is to be conducted at St. Stephen’s Church, and we have no doubt many of our readers will be present at one or other of the above places of worship this evening.

A Magisterial Decision. Robert Schoolfield was charged the Auckland Pofice Court with riding in a railway car riage set apart for ladies. The Magistrate, Mr McDonald, ruled that anyone on the platform of a carriage could not be said to be in the carriage, and dismissed the

ease. The decision has caused some surprise.

Oddfellows hip. The first quarterly meeting of the Loyal South Rakaia Lodge, 1.0.0.F.,M.U., was held last evening, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing term ; —N.G., Bro. Dunn; Y.G., Bro. Rowse ; E. S., Bro. Black; R. S. to N. G., Bro. Bruce ; L. S, to N. G., Bro. Primmer; R.S. to Y.G., Bro. Crook ; L. S. to V. G., Bro. George Clark ; Lecture Master. Bro. \Vest ; Tyler, Bro. Wilkinson; Warden, Bro. Wm. Harinell. The newly-elected officers were duly en stalled by P. G. Bro. W. E. Dolman, of Ashburton, assisted by Bros. Tucker and G. F. Scott, of Ashburton. The receipts for the evening were L 25 13s 2d. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the re tiring officers, the Lodge was closed in due form.—As a result of the recent sports held at Rakaia, the Lodge of Oddfellows at that place has netted sufficient to en able it to purchase a section of land, and leaving a surplus in hand. This was mainly due to their being twice the num ber of entries anticipated, and several members of the Lodge who won prizes handed the amount of their prizes to the Lodge funds. The Ball Committee also having a surplus after paying expenses, contributed liberally to the funds.

Masonic. —The installation of the newly elected officers of the Somerset Lodge, No. 1811, 8.C., took place last evening, at the Masonic Hall, Tailored street. There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren, including the W. M. ’s of the Canterbury Kilwinning, St. John’s, BC. (Ashburton) ; South Rakaia, and Thistle Lodge (Ashburton), and a number of offi ers of sister Lodges. The D.D.G. M., Bro. H. Thompson, at tended and performed the installation ceremony, with his usual ability, and in a very impressive manner. The following officers were installed :—P.M. H. Stephenson, W. M. ; James Bradley, I. P.M. ; T. Undrell, S.W. ; H. W. Fel ton, J.W. ; J. Davidson, Secretary ; B. Hughes, Treasurer ; W. Anderson, S.D. ; G Parkin, J.D. ; Wilson, organist. Bros. Ross and Poole, Stewards ; J. Canning, M.C. ; J. Muschamp, I.G. ; R. Cullen, Tyler. After the ceremony of installa tion, an adjournment was made to the re freshment gallery, where an excellent re past was served by Bro. A. Thiele. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed, and several capital songs were given by Bro. Weeks, Shearman, Pickford, Robin son, Stephenson, and Zander, and alto gether a very pleasant evening was spent.

The Oamabu Woollen Factory. —The North Otago Times informs us that a special general meeting of shareholders in the Oatnarn Woollen Factory Company was held last evening in the office of the secretary (Mr G. Sumpter). There were between twenty and thirty shareholders present, Mr Headland occupying the chair. It was proposed by Mr Humphrey, seconded by Mr Locke, and carried una nimously—“ That the nominal capital of the Oamaru Woollen Company, Limited, be increased to fifty thousand pounds. ” The directors were authorised to take the necessary steps to carry into effect the resolution. The object of the directors in having the capital of the company in creased to L 50,000 is to allow of a portion of the shares being placed upon the Vic torian market. Mr Gibbs is in Melbourne at the present time, and with the ex tremely favorable prospects for placing a number of shares on that market his visit may be utilised as a means towards this end. Communications from Melbourne have been very encouraging in regard to this.

CABLE NEWS

LATEST FROM EUROPE. [per rbuter’s agency.] The Brindisi Mails. The homeward mails per Orient steamship John Elder, which left Mel bourne on Nov. 16, were delivered via Brindisi yesterday. Money and the Markets. London, Dec. 27. Consols, Bank rate of discount is 5 per cent, and the market rate New Zealand securities—Five per Cent. 10-40 Loan, 104; Five per Cent. 1889 Loan, 104 ; Four and a Half per Cent. 1879-1904 Loan, Ade laide wheat, ex warehouse, 565; New Zealand ditto, 52s ; Adelaide (lour, ex warehouse, 51s 6d. Aus tralian tallow —best beef, 39s 6d ; best mutton, 44s 6d. London, Dec. 28. Three per Cent. Consols have de clined and are quoted to-day at 99/i- New Zealand securities remain

at yesterday’s quotations: - Adelaide and ; New- Zealand wheat and Aus tralian tallow are without quotable change, Scotch pig iron. No. 1, f.o.b, in Clyde, has fallen to 52s per ton. He Must Want a Change. London, Dec. 29. The Daily News to day publishes a telegram from Afghanistan to the effect that the Ameer Abdul Rahman has ex pressed his intention of visiting India during the ensuing spring. Home. Arrived —Ship Selim, from Lyttelton Arrest of a Land Leaguer. A leader of an extensive secret society of marauders was arrested to day at Macroom, in the County Cork, Ireland. The documents found in his possession include plans for the pro jected murder of farmers who continue to pay rents in defiance of the League’s manifesto. Seizure of Documents and Weapons. The police in Ireland are actively prosecuting the search for arms in the district’s which have been proclaimed as disturbed. An extensive seizure of rifles and other weapons was made to-day at Listowel, in the County Kerry. Still At It. Paris, Dec 27. Telegrams to hand from Tunis re port that desultory fighting continues between the insurgent Arab tribes and the French forces in the Principality. The rebels have suffered severe losses, and a large body has crossed the western border into Morocco, whither the French are pursuing them. A King in a Small Way. Bombay, Dec. 29. At Baroda, the capital of Guzerat, a semi-independent native state in Bom bay Presidency, the installation of the Guicowar, the native ruler, took place to-day, in the presence of the British Resident. The Commercial Treaties. Paris, Dec. 29.

The British and French Commis sioners for the discussion of the pro posed commercial treaty will commence their deliberations on Saturday next, and from that day will hold daily sittings until the negotiations are concluded. M. Rochefort Acquitted.

M. Rochefort, the editor of the Intransigea?it, has been acquitted of the charge of libelling M. Challemel Lacours, the well-known French politician.

AUSTRALIAN.

[per reuter’s agency.] Shipping. Melbourne, Yesterday. Arrived, this morning—Steamship Arawata, from the Bluff. Declined. It has transpired that the Hon. J. G. Francis has declined the Agent- Generalship in London for Victoria. First Favorite. Wheatear is a very firm favorite for the Champion Stakes. produce Market. Adelaide, Yesterday. Wheat, per bushel, 4s 8d; town flour, per ton, Ln 5s ; country brands, Lio 1 os. Freights to the United Kingdom, from Adelaide, 52s 6d; ditto, from outports, 555.

TELEGRAMS.

[PKH PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Nothing like a Pub. New Plymouth, To-day. Mr Collier, of the Masonic Hotel, has purchased the Criterion Hotel from Mr Paul for L 7,000 and takes immediate possession. Fire in Wellington. Wellington, To-day. A twelve roomed house on the Terrace, belonging to Mr J. H. Wallace, and occu pied bv Mfs Weedon, was burned down early this morning. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. The building was insured in the National Office for LBOO, and the furniture in the Imperial for LBOO. One More. Wakelin’s mills, Greytown, were burnt down last night. Insurance, L 450 in the New Zealand office. The mill was valued at L 1,600. . The Champion Sculler. Hearn, the champion sculler, leaves for Auckland in a day or two to take part in the regatta there. Who Cares. Dunedin, To-day. Mr G. M. Bell is rot the purchaser of the Waimea station, which has been sold to an English resident. Customs Revenue. The Customs revenue collected at this port for 1881 is L 433,010, against L 365,302 in 1880. Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for the year are— Births, 1,829 ; deaths, 688 ; marriages, 482 ; as against—births, 1,896 ; deaths, 617; marriages, 421, for 1880. There were more marriages registered in Decem ber than in any month hitherto.

SPORTING .

TIPS FOR THE WINSLOW RACES. Monday next will see the equine con testants who are to take part in this favorite annual fixture marshalled on the convincing ground at Winslow. As there has been some little betting on at least two of the events, I will endeavor to give your sporting readers some slight insight as to the respective merits and chances of the various animals engaged. The Hurdle Race is the first item on

The Hurdle Race is the first item on the bill of fare, and should prove a good race, if Lonehand is not in one of his sulky moods on the day - albeit, I doubt his ability to win outright, feeling con fident that Mr Seger’s chestnut has the foot of the old horse at level weights. Mr Cuthbert’s Butterfly may possibly have a say in the finish, in the event of an accident to Mr Muir’s representative, otherwise I cannot see her in it. Lady Glady’s I know very little of, and there fore can say nothing about her. To sum up, then, I think the finish will be fought out between Lonehand and Cigarette, and though the latter is not blessed with very taking action, she shall be my choice on the day. I place them thus— Cigarette 1 Lonehand 2 I now come to the Cup, for which Minnie has been installed first favorite, but with the impost of 9s t 71b, I think she will tire when the finish comes. The veteran, Steamer, with Bst 71b in the pig skin is by no means out of it, and I shall expect to see him come very near win ning, but in Mr Lewis' Sandy (Bst), I think the hero of a hundred fights, will find his master. Moro and Lass will find those above them in the weights too good,

and I think they will pass the judge’s chair in the following order: —

Sandy 1 Steamer 2 Minnie 3 The Trot will likely see five face the starter, and I like nothing in it so much as the Mormon elder, and I think his most formidable opponents will be Titokowaru and Nelly, but I don’t think the Maori will quite make up the 75 yards, and shall expect to see them as follows . Brigham Young 1 Titokowaru 2 The Trot will be followed by the Maiden Plate, for which I expect to see three saddle up, but as the entries for this event are to be made at the post, I will not at tempt to prophecy the result. A Consola tion Race will bring the horse races to a close, when a long programme of athletic contests will be gone through, and I hope those paying Winslow a visit will be favored with fine weather, and I have no doubt of a good day’s sport. Yorkshire.

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN SOUTHLAND.

A Stoker Killed. Narrow Escape of the Passengers. A telegram was received by Mr Hannay, Manager of Railways in Christchurch, last evening, stating that a railway accident had occurred on the Clinton-Balclutha line, at Warepa sta tion. The train was chiefly composed of goods trucks, and fortunately con tained only a few passengers, but the accident caused the death of the stoker. The following further particu : lars of the accident were telegraphed to us by the Press Association this afternoon: —As the 4.40 train from Balclutha to Clinton reached the Kaihiku bridge a horse was seen on the line, but it was too late to stop the train. The horse was caught by the cow-catcher, and was carried by it some ten yards, when the engine ran off the line, and fell down an embank ment ten feet deep. The driver at once shut off steam and ran off the water. The train consisted of fifteen trucks and one van. The engine and tender and seven trucks ran off the rails, the tender lying on its side and across the end of the engine, some trucks being on each side of the line. The stoker, James Woodcock, was found lying under the tender, and his death must have been instantaneous. James Blackwood, a water-pumper at Waiwera, was caught by his foot be tween the engine and the tender, and every exertion was made to release him, but the task was not accomplished until late in the evening, afier the re porter left. No one else was hurt. The rails of the line are considerably twisted and displaced, and the engine is also much damaged, but the trucks are apparently not much injured. The accident happened at 5.30 p.m. yester day. There were only three passen gers by the train, and they escaped without injury. Chisholm, the Inspec tor of the Permanent Railways, arrived at 8.45 p.m., and proceeded at once to clear the line. Dr Smith, of Bal clutha, arrived on the scene of the ac cident last evening. Later. The line was cleared and ready for traffic at 4 o’clock this morning, and the damage to the line and rolling stock is comparatively trifling. James Black wood has his leg broken. An inquest on the body of Woodcock was opened to-day. After viewing the body the inquest was adjourned till Tuesday.

A CHURCH SCANDAL.

A discreditable scene has been enacted at Barnstaple, in connection with the Baptist Church In that town. Some time ago the pastor, the Rev. J. Rootham, suspended five members for an alleged irregularity. He was threatened with an action if he did not apologise and re-admit them. No apology having been made, one of the suspended members attended the monthly meeting, but the pastor de sired him to leave, being an “ intruder,’’ and as the offending member refused to do so, the rev. gentleman closed the the meeting. At the monthly meeting in November two of the suspended members (Messrs Turner and Green) made another attempt to assert their right of attending. Their visit had been anticipated, and the extraordinary step was resorted to of employing a policeman to guard the entrance to the chapel. A brother of one of the suspended members warned the constable against interfering, as an action at law was pending. Mr Turner demanded admission, but was pushed back. The noise brought out the pastor, and some one fetched the Mayor, a Nonconformist* of some in fluence in the city, in the hope that he would be able to act the part of the peacemaker. The Mayor expressed his sorrow at seeing a body of Christians engaged in such an unseemly squabble, but his efforts to pacify them had no immediate effect. Mr Turner made a rush at the door, and one of the pastor’s friends seized him round the waist. The Mayor shouted “ Gentlemen, genltemen!” and implored them to desist, but they continued the struggle for some time, Mr Turner’s coat being torn. Eventually, seeing that a large crowd had been attracted, the sus pended members, to avoid further scandal, withdrew under protest. It is expected that the parties will figure in the Police Court.

EXPLOSION OF A TON OF DYNAMITE.

A quantity of dynamite which was considered to be in a dangerous condi tion, owing to its having leaked from the cases in which it was packed, was j exploded in Hobson’s Bay on Decenr- r . ber 3rd, under the superintendence of : Messrs J. Cosmo Newbery and R. J. L. Ellery. On the Friday precedi ■ says the Age, forty-six cases were pF -.;JB£a in the hold of the powder hulbgoMl pieces of sailcloth, covered quantity of bran for the purpose absorbing the fluid nitro - which was issuing from the cases. hulk was then towed to Laverton where she was moored for the mgnt.7* About eleven o’clock on Saturday, Messrs Newbery and Ellery proceeded, in the steam launch of the Cerberus,? with a few assistants and the necessary material, to the scene of operations. At first it was intended to fire the stui£ in detachments, but owing to the gredt risk incurred in handling such a dan gerous compound, it was finally deter-. „ mined to explode it all together. The work of taking the dynamite out of the hold and lowering it into the water was one which was fraught with great danger,. ’ owing to the necessity existing for the most delicate manipulation of the cases. r l his was, however, successfully accom plished, under the superintendence of Mr Newbery, and the whole of the 40 cases were safely deposited together in 30 feet of water. The powder hulk J was then towed away, and a buoy placed to mark the spot. At about' half-past 3 all the arrangements were,, completed. A quantity of gun cotton 1 ' was placed on the top of the dynamite, and when the steam launch was aC a, distance of 300 yards away, the ex ploding charge and firing cable were ’ lowered down. Three or four attempts • were made to explode the stuff, but from some unexplained cause they were fruitless. Eventually, about fa p.m., an unusually carefully prepanffj charge was lowered, and a cessful explosion ensued. result was the upheaval of an immeme. area of solid water. The real J&b plosion, which was a most magnified*** spectacle, occurred almost simul taneously. It took the form of the . uplifting of an enormous compact column of water to the height of 30a. feet, capped by snow-white spray, the . lighter portions of which, drifting to leeward, caused a beautiful rainbow to. be visible for a considerable time. The [ whole surface of the bay for a con siderable distance was rendered densely muddy, and covered with foam. The , explosion of so large a quantity as a , ton of dynamite caused some little ; anxiety as to the result, but the shoe 1 ' . felt by those on board the launch and' whale boat, the former of which was. only 250 yards distant, was compara [ lively slight. Large quantities of small fish, which were either killed or [ stunned by the explosion, were im . mediately seized by flocks of sea gulls, who were attracted to the. feast.

SUFFERING AT SEA

Ephriam Wilson, a colored sailor* and a native of Nassa, who was landed at Falmouth on October rr, gives’the following narrative of the loss of all the - crew, excepting himself, of the Ameri can brigantine Annie M. Palmer, bound from Wilmington for Hayti. The Annie M. Palmer left Wilmington on Sep-' tember 3, and on the 7th encountered: a gale, which increased to a hurricane., At 11 p.m. the vessel labored heavily, and the crew, as the gale (id not sub side, cut away the mainmast (the main sail had previously been blown away) and then let go the port anchor, so as ‘ to keep her head to the wind. A big sea, however, capsized the vessel, the crew, six in number, escaping from the wreck to the mainmast, which, although cut away, was still attached to the ves sel by the rigging, and lay in the water alongside. The poor fellows did nok stay there long, for in about twenty minutes an old Irishman was washed overboard and drowned, and soon afterwards a young American followed, him. Another wave carried away the captain ; two others, theTtnate and the cook, were washed off, locked in each •' other’s arms, Wilson only being left. He says that the night was intensely - dark, and that he did not see the men after they fell into the water. The hut- . ricane moderated at 4 a.m. Wilson contrived to fasten pieces of wood so as to form a kind of raft, and he used some torn canvas as a shelter for his head and to wrap his body in and pro tect himself from the numerous sharks which were constantly attempting reach him. In this slate he convtf to live without any food unt'l Septern- m ber 12, when the wreck was by the crew of a passing vessel, the Sweedish brigantine Carl Rosennis, of ■ Bergen, which made forthe vessel to see* her name. They observed Wilson on* the spar, and rescued him. He only saw one vessel before during the five,- days which elapsed between the time of the shipwreck and his rescue, and hmij made signals by waving canvas, etc,, ' but they were unnoticed. He gave up-, all hope of being saved, and was i:’". " such a state of exhaustion that he was : not aware of the approach of the Ca v j| Rosennis until a boat from her close to him. p 'J,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1881.



HD. MONK’S ... ■ , ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcock and Thurston of the highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. J®- Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony. FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGLE Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 725 c Christchurch. Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS. JUST Received, a Choice Assortment of Christmas and New Year Cards, Dolls, Humming Tops, and Shell Goods in great variety.



Letts’ Diaries for 1882 ; Family Reader (div. 42); Boys’ Standard (new series) ; Latest Novelties in Pipes. F. CLARK, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Montgomery’s Buildings. 319 d The best value for ready MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING . MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, "Which can be purchased at their Retail Branches all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of discerning customers testify that the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the very best for ready money. Ashburton Branch : East Street. W. SPARROW, 692 c Branch Manager. a KJ >IANOS, I '4 r j _ ORGANS, MUSIC, Etc., Instruments of every kind from 10 GUINEAS to 100 on DEFERRED PAYMENTS. OPENING New Premises THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7th, Tanckbd Street, near Orr & Co’s, H. J. WEEKS, ’ (Agent for 0. Begg and Co), MUSIC 'SELLER. 693 d John Meech, RACTIO AL C ABINETMAKE R, JK' UPHOLSTERER, &c., BARNETT STR EE T , Opposite the Mail Office. jfeasy Chairs, Couches, English and American Chairs, Single and Double Iron ami Wood Bedsteads. kinds of Carpeting, Matting, and Oilcloth. A large assortment of Repps and Cretonnes at lowest prices. Suites of Furniture from Ll 3 and upwards. All kip4s of f urniture re-covered and repaired at.xfie very lowest prices. All work guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, an 4 highest prices given for second-hand address— Cheapest House in I Ashburton, opposite Mail Office, Burnett | •treat,/ ;



Wanted! WANTED— A NURS at Mas O’llEiLLif GIRL. Apply Wakanui road. 481 d WANTED, SERYAN Paper. Firct-tlass General ANT. Apply, Office of this 48Gd TVTANTED, a NURSE GIRL. Apply, ' • Mrs A. Orr, Taucred street. 487 d I\T ANTED-A NURSE GIRL, about V V fourteen years of age. Fond of children. Apply to Mrs Neatb, Tancred street west. \T7"ANTED —A smart BOY, about W fourteen years of age. Apply to Charles Neate. Chemist. WANTED, for the Country,- a General SERVANT. Apply to Mrs Parsons, Seafield, Ashburton. 472 d WANTED —A goodgeneral SER \ T ANT. Wages £34 per annum. Apply, Miss Callioan, Tancred street, Ashbur ton. 455 d — Two MACHINES, to V\ Thresh Nine Hundred (900) Acres of \V heat each. Tenders will be received by the undersigned till 7th JANUARY, 1882. Machine to find all men. 429 d ft. T. WINTER. HT ANTED Shearers, Harvesters, V and the public generally to know that Ready Money Richards leaves Ash burton Jan. 15th. 474 d \\ TANTED TENDERS for HAR \'V VESTING about 880 ACRES WHEAT. Tenderers to state quantity they will undertake to cut. 'Fenders to be in not later than TUESDAA, noon, the 3rd proximo. For full particu lars applyio AUBREY ROSCOE,



Hinds, 4731 Or, FRIEDLANDER BROS. TT r vXTrd) KNOWN—A GRAND W BALL will be held in Mr Clark’s Crain Store. Pinwald, on MON DAY, Jaim iry 2, 1882. Tickets, 2s Cd each ; ladies free. 445 d 'll r ANTED KNOWN— Mrs Hbndek ■? V son, Dressmaker, Burnett street, near Catholic Church. Ladies’ Dresses made from 5s 6d. Apprentices Wanted. 1A RANTED KNOWN —lf you want to V V Grow a splendid crop of Turnips, Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, Bamstead Mills. 255 d WANTED KNOWN—During the Christmas Reason, FRIEDLaNDER BROS, are selling NEW FRUIT, NEW FRUIT, Currants, Cid ; Elemes, 7d ; Sultanas, 8d ; Candied Peel, Is 6d ; Best Butter, 6d; and General Groceries equally cheap for Cash. 3lßd ANTED KNOWN. —SPRING AND SUMMER MILLINERY. MISS YERRALL is now Showing her First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookham House.) WANTED KNOWN—That Robert Elston, Burnett street, Ashburton, having procured the Newest Apparatus, is prepared to SWEEP CHIMNEYS at very low rates. Any orders left at the Town Hall will receive prompt attention. 760 c Special Advertisements. O. Carstens 8z Co., (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, fIOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, I 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. FAST STREET ASHBURTON. 257a* NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED). AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walter T>. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE CORNER OF WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782 c HE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON. Heads of Families, and all who wish to obtain suitable articles for Christmas Presents AND NEW YEAR’S GIFTS Are respectfully invited to inspect the unrivalled assortment of Toys, Fancy Goods, Christmas and New Year’s Cards, etc. i just opened up by the undersigned. j STATIONERY. Plain and Fancy Note Paper and Enve lopes, Account and Memorandum Books, School Books, etc. An extensive stock to select- from. Schools liberally dealt with. H. M. Jones, EAST STREET AND BARING SQUARE. Pianos, Organs, Harmoniums, and all kinds of Musical Instruments on Deferred Payments. A quantity of SHEET MUSIC very cheap. Lowest Prices for Cash. 293 d



nnHE undersigned will be prepared, I during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates:— RE APE [lB and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of AgricuHural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, Ac., Ashburton. Agent for John Anderson, Canterbury Foundry, Christchurch; Geo. Booth and Sons, Importers of Agricultural Imple ments, Christchurch; and Agent for the United Insurance Company. 150 d ACK FROM THE FRONT.—The scare at Parihaka is over; our vo lunteers have proved themselves equal to the occasion, and although no fighting was done, they were the “ boys” to do it had it been required; a brush with the “ blackfellows ” was what they wont for. Nevertheless they did a good deal of hard tramping up hill and .down dale; and the astonishing fact is that most of them, having been provided with STOUT Buui’S from C. HAWKlNS’never-to-bo excellod Boot and Shoo Warehouse, came back with their “understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-ahead ’jttlor township. Try 0. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere. 998 c



Special Advertisements. XT 0 i~. In order that the Staff may enjoy a little relaxation like their neighbors, The Ashburton Guardian will NOT BE PUBLISHED on MONDAY NEXT, January 2. Guardian Office, Dec. 28, 1881. \V. H. ZOUCH.



jg Alt GAINS IN 'BOOTS, &c. Andrew Orr Has just concluded the Purchase of a Lot of LADIES’ BOOTS, all sizes, at about HALF PRICE, which will be open for Sale SATURDAY, 31ST DECEMBER, And following Days. Ladies’ Boots, at 5s lid per pair 1 Lot Children’s, at Is per pair 1 Lot Girls, at 2s per pair A Large Consignment of Men’s HATS, at greatly Reduced Prices. Men’s Leghorn’s, at Is each Men’s Leghorn’s, good, Is 6d Men’s Straw, splendid quality, at 3s 6d, former price, 4s 9d 21 Doz Men’s Harvesting Shirts, at Is lid 20 Doz Men’s best do, 2s 6d and 3s 6d 1 Lot Men’s Paper Collars, at 3d per box. GREAT REDUCTIONS in all Classes of GOODS. GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT, Tancred street, Brick Buildings. SOLE AGENT for DAVIS’ VERTICAL FEED SEWING MACHINE. Ah DREW ORR, Importer, etc. Ashburton, Dec. 30, 1881. 476d*



A 450 d BARGAIN —On account of the owner leaving the district —A four roomed COTTAGE, with half an acre of land, in a good position. POYNTZ & CO. AYING ASHBURTON. GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BROS. Will on Saturday, December 3, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of their now and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offer, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit tings, Ac., For Sale. vy- wmwmgaageg NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. All orders for insertion of advertise ments must bo written legibly on the face of the advertisement. When no order is given the advertisement will be inserted until countermanded, and charged accord- ■



N. Z. Grand National. —A. meeting of those interested iu the holding of the next N. Z. Grand meeting in Ash burton was called for this afternoon, at vt'uill’s Hotel, but as there was no attend ance, with one or two exceptions, the meeting lapsed. Hospital Returns. —The following are the Hospital returns for the month of December:—lSo. of patients in hospital on the Ist December, 3 ; No. of patients admitted during month December, 9; No. of patients discharged, 2 ; No. of patients in hospital on the 31st, 10. Sunday School Service. —For some two or three years past, the schools con nected with the various dissenting deno minations in Ashburton have amalgamated and held a sort of thanksgiving rervice on the first Sunday of the year, some capital singing and a few brief addresses being the chief items of the programme. We understand that the Town Hall has been engaged for a similar purpose to-morrow, and a very interesting gathering of Sun day School children, with their friends, is expected. The Revs. Keall, Nixon, and Beattie will give addresses, and Mias Kidd i will preside at the piano. J



Holloway’s Pills. —Nervous Dteoility. No part of the human machine requires mor, watching than the nervous system—upon i - hangs health and life itself. These pills arc the best regulators and strengthened of the nerves, and the safest general purifiers. sea, headache, giddiness, numbness, and me:. tal apathy yield to them. They dispatch in summary manner those distressing dyspeptic symptoms, stomachic pains, fulness at the pit of the stomach, abdominal distension, and ovecQff' come both capricious appetites and confin lt bowels—the commonly accompanying signs defective or deranged nervous power, Hollo-, way’s Pills are particularly recommended 'tu persons of studious and sedentary, habits, wh ; J gradually sink into a nervous and state, unless some such restorative be oc j sionally taken.—[Advt.]



Meetings ♦ * >c S 0 T JOHN’S LODGE, E. 0., No. 185 The usual Monthly Meeting of Lorh'e will be held on TCTESD EVENING, January 3, at the Masc r Hall, Tailored street, at 7.30. Visits Brethren invited. By order of the W.M. 0. B. M. BRANSON, 479 d Secretary.