SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. Emperor, brig, from Newcastle. Annie Hill, brigantine, from Bluff. Reward, schooner, from Foxton. To-day. Wanaka, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Sea Bird, brigantine, for Polorus Sound. To-day. St. Kilda, s.s., for Dunedin. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Sailed —Te Anau, for the South. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—Hawea, from the North.

COMMERCIAL.

The English Grain Market. Messrs. Royse, Stead and Co. have re ceived the following telegram from their brokers :—“ London, 3rd February. Pre sent price for New Zealand wheat at Mark lane, per quarter of 4961b5, ex granary, sacks extra, is 48s to 48s 6d for long berried, and 46s to 46s 6d for fair average quality; present value, ex ship, is 43s to 44s per 4801 b, sacks as wheat. Market stationary. New Zealand ordinary oats, 21s to 22s per 3361 b ; and 28s 9d to 31s per’3B4lb for extra fine oats, ex granary, sacks extra. New Zealand barley, 28s to 36a per quarter of 4001 b, sacks extra."

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the: following places (subject to necessary alterations) as under:— ' Tuesday, February 8. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only). Continent of Europe,. Point de Galle, India, the East, China, Japan, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Suez, the Mediterranean Ports, and Australian Colonies, per Te Anau, at 1.30 p.m.; -late fee letters at 1.45 p.m. 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 Eakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, ColdStredm, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, 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 4.20 p. m., daily. For Greenstreet,- Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. For Ashton, Watertpn and Longbeach, at 4.30' 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— From Christchurch and Bakaia at 10.25 a.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. Frem 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 and, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m. W. St. G. Douglas, Postmaster.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, February 8. Davies and Winter—T. S. Nos. 332 and 334, Rakaia. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c. To-Night, Saturday, February 5. Meeting to form a Lodge of Druids, at the Somerset Hotel, at 8 p.m. Ashburton Cricket Club, County Council Chambers, at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 10. Templar Hall Company—Annual Meet ing, Templar Hall, 8 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE.

Plains Leave Ashburton fob Christ church and intermediate stations at 6 a. m,, 10.30 a.m.,. and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton fob Tim arc and South, at 7 a.m., 10.36 a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m. —the latter pro ceedingno farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express)* 4.35p.m., and 7.60 p.m. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Timabu and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5 p.m.]

The Profbrxy Tax. —At a Cabinet Council held at Government House, Wel lington, yesterday, an Order in Council was made' formally approving the Bth and 22nd proximo as the dates on which the property tax; should be made payable. Those dates consequently may now be re garded as fixed by law, and the tax will then have to be duly paid*

The Parnell Defence Fend.— TJ ■; Tablet forwarded by the outward mmt L 37 odd, sent to it in aid of the Parn. I'. Defence Fund. Reported Gold Find. —lt is reported that gold has been found in the bed <>■,' the Clutha, near Balclutha. There is a small rush of diggers to the locality. Telegrams. —The number of telegra; a forwarded in the colony for the quart • ending December 31st, 1880, was 325,85'., and the revenue received L 17,189 3s. 2 i. The value of Government telegrams transmitted was L 6,776 9s. 2d. Church Parade. —The members of too local corps, with the band, parade to morrow morning, at 10 o’clock, at the Post Office, for church. The corps will march to St. Stephen’s, where the Rev. C. M. Pym will preach. Sanitary. —There seems to be no abate ment in the nnmbcr of casesjof dysentery, and the doctors have their hands full. At the Borough Council meeting on Mon day, the Mayor will raise the question of appointing an efficient inspector of nui sances for the Borough and suburbs, in co-operation with the adjoing rood boards, when we hope his efforts to look after the sanitry affairs of the town will meet the support of the Councillors. A Turf Swindle. —Country race meet ings have hitherto been considered tolerably free from “crooked” pacticcs, 1 and it was thought that “ pulling ” hordes I was confined to the larger meeting, but at ItheKawakawa (Auckland) Race Meeting I this week, such a glaring case of stopping I a horse occurred that the committee fii od iGolson, the owner of a racehorse. LiO, land he will not be allowed to run at Kawa- Ikawa for two years, and Stewart, due ■jockey was disqualified for two years for ■pulling the horse. I Harvest. —Harvest way be said to tie General, and the great majority of die ■County's crop is now in stock. Quite a number of threshing machines are at w-'-rk Rn the various districts, and farmers ip- Ipear to be well satisfied both with yield land sample. They have been vry ■fortunate with regard to weather, F th Iduring the growing season and thromjfeg®f Ithe harvest, and there is everpjaKSSson to rto be satisfied with Students of the markets os hope fully of to obtain, ano if these are realised, season 1881 will be line worth remembering. |Tlllir Accidents lb Christchu ,-sh telegram afternool says :—“ At Gollan’s Bayj/L«|ttelton, Jmis mornim , a stone weighing/ from Jtairty to forty pounds rollir%jaojMp)Oe hill side struck a girl, 12 yea daughter of Air. Edgar, on th/ head, cauling the brain, /it is fearedAhe terminate iltally. j greegayoer^ while driyfiy*%long ton, Mwcarty and fell heaviljron was severely in . 1.0. G. T. meeting was held in Safe Retreat last nigldjr at (MjV p. m., Mrothf&SgTCM Davis. MG. W .maV. in thfi degreay were coti f erred, and the«nee!®g termarated, and the ufEal of tip Safe Retre;«Sa(jge *Pffe offieps for having beemdulyelptf«^fwere’ 4 installed by -be D. the Star of the East Lodge, assisted by Bros. T. Smith and Cjtoiawi The following were the officers;—Kjßs. D. Ross, P.W.C.T.; R. J. Murray, Jr. C. T.; J. Malianey, W.V.T.: J. W. jj&ard!ey, W.S.; G. Yalk, W.C.; K. W.T.; W. Dally, W.F.S.; W. C. Davis, Sister M. A. Davis, W. M. D. jG3rog.«4f se T\ Andrewes, WI G.; J. A. LjjKh, W.O.Gfc, After votesajul thdtfca toMlio ijAstolliri» officer andJis na&aKinta ja<Ljm<the ing ofGcqw,

F ouW^boffespon dence ulitmm a resffient writes very strongly about the doings of boys and I young men who ride horses and drive. I cattle furiously along the Lunch lu'ui. I We are aware that he is making no ground- I less complaint, for yesterday, opposite Dr. I Trevor’s gate, two children were attacked I by an ox driven in the reckless manner I described by our correspondent, and one lof the children was tossed, but not ■ seriously hurt —no thanks, however, to the ■ drovers. It was, we think, Councillor ■ St. Hill who stuck out so manfully ■for having the by-law as to cattle ■driving in the township kept intact; and I it was Councillor Bullock who paid such a ■ kindly tribute to the meekness of the I cattle raised in this district. We fancy if I Councillor Bullock had found himself I “ raised ” in the same way that child was I yesterday, he would have ratted at once from his faith in the mildmss of the cattle’s temper, and gone over at once to Mr. St. Hill’s belief. Anyhow, it is apparent from our correspondent’s letter, I that the Beach road residents have a grievance, and that the complaint is not so much against the cattle as against those who have them in charge. We hope the police will be on the look-out, as nothing has such a salutary effect upon the larri | kins who indulge in the furious riding and I driving, whether of horses or cattle, as the I sight of a policeman.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Brindisi Mail. London, Feb. 2. The homeward Australian mail, via Brindisi, was delivered here to-day. Consols. London, Feb. 3. Consols remain at Four and a half per Cent. New Zealand Loan, 97, ex dividend. No Hope. Thomas Carlyle, the well-known author, is now alarmingly ill. The physicians hold out no hope of his recovery. Turkey and Greece. Constantinople, Feb. 3. In reply to the representations made by the ambassadors of the Powers, the Porte declines to state beforehand the maximum concessions which Turkey is prepared to make to ; Greece in Epirus and Thessaly, but is willing to negotiate in regard to the demands put forward bv Greece.

AUSTRALIAN.

{Pet Renter's Agency.) The Markets. Sydney, Feb. 4. Hennessy’s brandy in bulk, quarters, ns 6d; Raven’s twist tobacco, ns 4d. Adelaide, Feb. 4. Wheat 4s. 4d. to 4s. Market quiet. Town flour, Lio 10s, to Lio 155.; country brands, L 9 ss. to L 9 7s. 6d. Freights to London —Steamers, 455. per ton ; sailing vessels, 425. 6d.; freight to the United Kingdom from Adelaide, 425, 6d. to 455,; from out ports, 455. Murdered by Natives. Brisbane, Feb. 4. Intelligence has been received here that a white man has been murdered by the natives of Gilbert River, North Queesland. New Zealand Wheat at the Exhibition. Melbourne, To-day. It is stated that New Zealand exhibitors take twenty-four awards for exhibits of wheat, jp'ut none are first prizes.

Obituary. Mr Janies Blackwood, of Dalgety, Blackwood, and Co , after a long illness, has died from dropsy.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Australia v- Wellington. Wellington, To-day. The cricket match, Australians v. Wel lington, started this morning. The day was dull, with a fresh southerly breeze. Wellington won the toss, and elected to go in. Kennedy and Brown were the first to handle the willow to the trundling of Spofforth and Palmer, the former taking the first over, off which there was no score. When Brown had scored 7 he drove a ball back to Spofforth, which was accepted. 15—1—7. Speed filled the vacancy. At the adjournment tor lunch the score stood at 43, the highest not out being Blacklock, who had obtained 9 when lunch was called. Things Dramatic. Dunedin, To-day. Mr. W. H. Reynolds’ benefit attracted the largest house seen in Dunedin for years, the building being densely packed. He announced that he had just received a cablegram from Mr. J. C. Williamson, closing for an early appearance here with the Juvenile “Pinafore” Company.

THE COERCION BILL.

♦ Resumption of the Debate. Mr. Parnell and His Adherents Expelled from the House. (By Cable.) London, Fob. 3. The debate on the Irish Coercion Bill was resumed in the House of C.GHUVidns last evening. The Irish again pursued a cours e of obstruction and much dis order prevailed. Finally, Mr. Parnell and all his adherents were, by the Speaker’s order, expelled from the House, and da® discussion on the measure proceeding quietly. Great senjffiWrir has been caused owing to the expulsion of the obstrCTl—wn|.

SPORTING.

' tL WELLINSTON SUMMEBaga^^ING. 4, lir MW ftAVELLTNGTOjgY eajy day, j of 30 Jfvs Only two started. Won by a length. Consolation Stakes, of 30 sovs ; one mile. Dan ... ... ... ... ... 1 gaiwgMtf 2 Cassivelaunus filly ... ... ... 3 Time—l min. 45secs.

CORRESPONDFENCE.

do not hJT gap-selves responsible for ®e jWkanions eMueJßp^oufcQ«rM(spSWentsip

THE BOROUGH SCAVENGER’S FEES & COUNCILLORS’ RATES.

To the Editor. Sir —On reading Coumgjitjr' Harrison’s letter I was as tomirtlfff'nT of the statements made by him. In the first place, Mr. Harrison says he pays 28a. per annum to the scavenger, and only 355. as rates. Now, sir, 28s. may be a large amount to pay for scavenging, considering that Mr. Harrison occupies two premises—one of which is an auction yard, where hundreds of people congregate at least once a week—but how about the rates ? Surely the valuator must have dealt very leniently with him. Mr. Harrison says something about a system of cleansing, draining, Ac., under the direct supervision of the Council. I don’t know what be means by drainage. I thought the outfall was provided for by selling or pawning the iron pipes. As to making absentees or owners of unoccu pied sections pay a scavenger, it appears to me about as reasonable to compel them to pay a portion of their neighbors’ butchers’ bills. From where lam writing I can look on about ten unoccupied sec tions tbat certainly never require the ser vices of a scavenger. There may be a few stray cows grazing on them, but no water or drains near. Mr. Harrison, in conclusion, proposes to do for 2d. what now costs Bd. If he can get work per formed cheaper by employing men at clay labor than by letting it for contract, it is contrary to the experience of older men. If, however, he can get it done for 2d. on the plan he proposes, I would still advise him to have the work tendered for, when probably someone may do it for Id. As to the direct supervision, I suppose be in tends to trot round behind the cart with a lantern. I think, sir, that if Mr. Harrison would exert himself to get a bye-law passed that could be enforced, and appoint an inspec tor who was not afraid to enter the pre mises, even of a councillor, he would be doing better service than by trying to compel men who live in other parts of the colony to pay for carting our refuse. —I am, &c. , Slow Coach.

DANGEROUS RIDING.

To the Editor. Sib, —When our police can spare a little time from the important duty of running in “drunks” they might profitably turn their eyes in the direction of the Beach road—a locality where a bobby is an un known apparition. If they will do so they will perceive, at various hours of the day, sundry lads and young men, armed with stock-whips, driving at full speed cattle and horses before them, often beating the animals cruelly, and always hunting the unfortunate beasts to such a degree that they will rush hither and thither bewil dered, or else get infuriated, to the im minent danger of the passers-by. Chil dren are constantly to be found on this road, and it is really marvellous how serious accidents have hitherto been avoided. Certainly it has not been from any want of exertion on their part that some of these reckless larrikins have not qualified themselves to be put on their trial for manslaughter. Having driven the beasts under their charge to their destination, the larrikins are apt to race home at full speed, some times varying the spree by riding double backed, shouting and yelling, and leaving the foot-passengers to look after them selves. The newly-formed footpath, they seem to consider, was made for their special behoof. More than once have I escaped being run over by the skin of my teeth. If the police will only make an example of one or two of these young gentlemen, I am sure every dweller along the Beach road and in Trevorton will thank them cordially —I am, Ac. A Resident.

SUPREME COURT.

Important Decision in Bankruptcy.

The Creditors’ Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Property of John Fraser and Others v. William Brown and John Beaumont.

The Supreme Court gave judgment in this important case last Friday, and we give below the following report from the Christchurch papers:— The declaration in the action, after setting out the formal steps taken in this bankruptcy and also in several other bank ruptcy matters connected with the firm of Fraser and Co., up to the appointment of Mr. Hugo Friedlander as creditors’ trus tee, proceeded to allege that the property of the debtors in the several bankruptcies comprised the whole of the joint and respective, separate, real, and personal property of the said John Fraser and others, which were conveyed and assigned by the deed next hereinafter mentioned. The deed was then set out, under date June 9, 1880, by which it appeared that John Fraser, Alexander Dunlop, and Daniel Henderson (trading as John Fraser and Co.) conveyed and assigned unto the defendants the whole of their joint and separate property, real and personal, upon certain trusts, for the benefit of the joint creditors of the bankrupts. The declara tion then stated the filing of the deed under the Debtors’ and Creditors’ Acts, the notice convening a meeting of the joint creditors for the purpose of assenting to the deed, the notice of application to the Supreme Court for an order declaring the complete execution of the deed under the Acts, and the order made July 30, 1880, declaring the deed completely executed. It was further alleged that the separate creditors of the several debtors did not assent to the deed nor attend the meeting of l creditors called for that purpose, and that no notice of such meeting was given to them; also, that under color of the deed the defendants had taken possession of and proceeded to realise the estate; and had also proceeded to distribute the pro ceeds amongst the joint creditors; also, that several of the separate creditors had tendered proofs under the deed against the separate estate, and that the defen dants rejected such proofs; also, that the deed was executed and filed, and the order of 30th July was obtained, in fraud and prejudice of the separate creditors, and to enable the joint creditors to obtain an undue advantage, and to the intent that the separate creditors should be wholly prevented and hindered from obtaining payment of their debts. The declaration then claimed that the deed might be declared fraudulent and void as against the plaintiff, and might be set aside; and that the defendants might be decreed to deliver and transfer the estate and pay over the proceeds in their hands to the Lplaintiff; arid that the deed might be Removed from the file of the Court; and taat the order of 30th July might be uisoinded; and that the usual accounts be taken; and that the defendants should ho restrained from dealing with the estate, and should be ordered to pay costs. To this declaration the defendants de murred, on the grounds that the declara tion showed no equity in the plaintiff entitling him to the relief asked for, and that it did not show that the deed was fraudulent or void as against the plaintiff; and also that the declaration did not allege that at the date of the deed there were any separate creditors of Fraser, Dunlop, and Henderson.

Mr. Garrick, in support of the demurrer, contended that under the Debtors’ and Creditors’ Act it was competent to the creditors of the firm to appropriate the whole of the joint and separate estate to the payment of the joint debts to the ex clusion of the separate creditors; and he mainly relied on the 143rd section as show ing that the deed must be taken to have complied with all the provisions of the Act, and that the separate creditors were excluded thereby. He also cited the 128th, 147th, 155th, and 15Gth sections. The 143rd section is as follows :—“ Sub ject to appeal under this Act the declara tion of complete execution shall be final and conclusive with respect to the validity and complete execution of the deed, and from and after such declaration the deed shall be binding in all respects on all creditors of the arranging debtor, and shall not be liable to be disturbed or im peached at law or in equity by reason of any prior or subsequent Act of Bank ruptcy, or on account of anything being contained therein or omitted therefrom, or on any other account whatever.” Mr. Garrick contended that all the statutory requirements having been complied with, the deed and order of complete execution were binding on all the creditors. In the coarse of the argument, the Court held that Ihe declaration sufficiently alleged that there were separate creditors existing at the time of the execution of the deed.

Mr. Joynt (who appeared for the plain tiff in support of the declaration) was not called on.

His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, in giving judgment, said that the deed should not be allowed to prevail against the rights of the trustee in bankruptcy; that on the application for the order of complete exe cution of the deed, it ought to have been made to appear to the Court that the deed provided for the absorption of the joint and separate estates of the partners in favor of the joint creditors. That such a deed is at variance with the principles of the Bankruptcy Acts—that it was not competent for the joint creditors by ar rangement among themselves to alter the respective rights of separate and joint creditors. By deed duly executed under the Bankruptcy Acts the parties may arrange by a statutory majority to take something short of the whole property, whereas in Bankruptcy the whole of the debtor’s property is to be distributed. That the Court ought not to uphold the deed if it appears that the order of com plete execution was made without the attention of the Court having been drawn to the true facts of the case. His Honor Mr. Justice Williams said: The declaration is good. The deed is not a deed of arrangement contemplated by the Act that partners were justified in

entering into. In construing the Act we must look at the statute itself, and the principles of the Bankruptcy laws which have been established for nearly two cen turies. These principles are clear. The separate property is to go to pay the sepa rate debts and the partnership property to pay the partnership debts. If one estate shows a surplus and the other a deficit, the surplus is to go in aid of the deficit. An ■ attempt has been made to set up section 143 of the Act which makes the declaration of the complete execution of the deed binding on all the creditors. To that there is one universal exception, that is, where the Court has been misled. It sufficiently appears from the circumstances stated in the declaration in this action that the Court was misled. It appears that there was separate property and that there was separate creditors. If these factsjhad been brought before the Court it cannot be as sumed that the Court would have made the declaration declaring the deed com pletely executed. The facts were not brought to the notice of the Court: It was clearly the duty of the persons apply ing for the order to have brought the facts before the Court. Their not having done so amounts to a fraudulent supression of facts which enables the Court to go behind the order. If we can go behind the order, we find that, after the execution of the deed giving the property of the separate creditors to the joint creditors, there was the bankruptcy of the debtors. The deed was, therefore, a fraudulent preference. The dumurrer must be overruled. Leave was granted to Mr. Garrick to appeal.

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

(From a New South Wales Correspondent.) Sydney, Jan. 19.

Parliament assembled after the Christmas adjournment on the nth inst., and the week’s sitting has not been productive of anything but de partmental' details, which have been sought for on a scale quite in keeping with the increased number of members who now occupy the benches. The Government have a majority of at least three-fourths of the members, but it remains to be seen how far this im mense majority will be affected by cer tain eventualities which are sure to be in the near future. One of these is the promised return of Mr. William Foster, the late Agent-General, whose political antagonism of former years against Sir Henry Parkes has now developed into bitter personal hatred, engendered by his removal from his post of Colonial Representative in London. It is said Mr. Foster will return in a few days, and as he already holds a seat in the Assembly, he will at once assume the leadership of the Opposition, small, but united in its denunciation of the two knights (Sir Henry Parkes and Sir John Robertson) —not for their bare faced coalition after such a long party war, but for the numerous high-handed acts which are noticeable in the actions of their Government since its formation. There are all the elements of discord in the House at present, and it now only requires very little to set them in violent operation- It is generally understood the Govern ment will table the Estimates and take a vote upon them, introducing one or two pressing measures of reform, and then propose an adjournment to the middle of the year, so as to bring Par liament into session in the winter, a practice which has not been followed for years.

The Intercolonial Conference has got over the preliminary stage of its proceedings, and, having disposedofafew trivial questions, such as reciprocity in the arrest of wife deserters and debtors, the real business for which the delegates are assembled will be taken in hand. Mr. Berry, and his colleague, Mr. Vale, do not seem to abate one jot of the selfish policy of protection, which is the very life of their political existence ; but on the contrary they seem deter mined to show that, however much the other colonies may boast of free trade principles, they are really protective, because some of their duties tend to foster local industries. The representa tives of the other colonies seem to coincide with the New South Wales’ view of the question, and it is not at all improbable that a Customs Union will be decided upon, to the complete exclusion of Victoria. One thing is certain, that the Melbourne market is no longer an absolute necessity for the intercolonial merchant, because trade requirements are daily finding better accommodation away from the Vic torian capital. Mr, Berry, however, does not value outside trade, and it will not be surprising if he remains re calcitrant only to see his colony ostracised. The question of border duties between New South Wales and Victoria may be settled, because Sir Henry Parkes has the whip-hand of the Victorian Premier, and shows by the Customs returns that his claim all along has been just. The late arrival of Mr. Dick, your representative, has caused a good deal of regret, because his pre sence in the earlier stages of the pro ceedings would have been most useful. Now that he has arrived he will be able to express his approval of, or dissent from, the various questions which have been recorded on the minutes. It is expected the Conference will conclude business this week, one powerful reason why it should do so being the necessity Mr. Berry is under of returning to Mel bourne at the earliest possible date. The members of the Conference were entertained last night at a banquet given by the Chamber of Commerce.

William Long, one of N.S.W.’s greatest sporting men, is currently re ported to have won L 20,000 over Grand Flaneur’s victory in the Cham pion Race, Melbourne. There has been a great scarcity of water in Sydney, through the long con tinued drought, which has to some extent been relieved by the welcome rains of a day or two past. The deficiency in our water supply has been the means of directing special attention to the quarrel between that well-known hydraulic engineer, Mr. A. O. Moriarty, permanent head of the water supply department, and his sometime subor dinate, Mr. F. G. Gipps. Mr, Moriarty submitted a scheme for supplying Sydney with water, and Mr. Gipps attempted to pick several holes in the engineer-in-chief’s facts and figures. Mr. Gipps then, who in consequence of his difference with his superior, had to leave the department, brought for ward a scheme of his own, which, if adopted, he says, will not only give a supply of higher pressure than would Mr. Moriarty’s, but would also save the country at least L 500,000, But it now turns out Mr. Moriarty knows at least as much about the matter as his critic, and that Mr. Gipps’ Parlia mentary supporters number oply the extreme section of those who drink to “pious and immortal memory.” The quarrel is a pretty one, and serves to illustrate—if any further illustration were needed —the basis on which politics are conducted in this colony. Mr. Moriarty is supposed to be a Roman Catholic.

New Zealand people, especially those holding bank shares, will be glad to hear that the Sydney branch of the Bank of New Zealand is still rapidly in creasing its business. Operations of the above bank were commenced in April, 1875, in small temporary offices, and in July of same year most commodious premises were opened in one of our principal streets (Pittstreet). Even these offices were within the next five years found inadequate to the re quirements, and advantage was taken lately of the removal of the Australian Mutual Provident Life Association to their new buildings, to purchase their old premises at a cost 0fL25,000. The premises being found ill-suited for banking purposes, the prior to occupation of them, decided to make great alterations. Accordingly, the ser vices of our best architect were availed of, and the result has been that the once gloomy offices have been changed into pleasant and airy ones, and we nbw can boast of An edifice equal to that of any other banking institution

in the colonies. Mr. E. B. Holt still holds the position of manager, and to him the contractor acknowledges him self indebted for many of his ideas. To-day, Sir John Robertson, Minister of Education, entertains the members of the Conference. The entertainment includes a trip by steamer round our beautiful harbor. Fires of late have been numer ous, no less than three hav ing occurred in the last week, amongst which the principal is the warehouse of M. Eecket, general importer—burnt to the ground in a few hours. Estimated loss L 25,000. The fate of Leichardt and Classan, explorers, who, some 45 years ago, started from Sydney with a view to travelling right through to Western Australia, has at last been decided,

owing to the strenuous and untiring efforts of Mr. Skuthorpe (a squatter in the back country). A pplication was made to the Government of this colony on several occasions to vote him a sum of money to assist in the search, but with out any results. Mr. Skuthorpe there upon fitted out a search party at his own expense, and started on his journey some months ago. It is now pleasing to state that, by telegram received yesterday, it is found that, after travel ling 200 miles into the South Australian border, and on the Herbert River, he dicovered relics of Leichardt, consisting of his diary and Classan’s, also a tele scope, with presentation engraving, and a portion of a boot. Classan’s diary states that he left Leichardt at Salt water Creek, while he searched for water, but on returning he found the party dead. He then joined the blacks and lived with them for years. Sku thorpe, acting on legal advice, is on his way to Sydney to hand over all relics to the proprietors of the Bulletin , who have offered Li,ooo reward for them. Within the last month two large immigrant ships, the Northampton and Glamis, have arrived, and it is pleasing to note that nearly all the passengers have been found suitable employment by their friends. The few remaining are expected to be hired out soon. After the arrival of the Glamis some of the crew became disordeily, and it necessitated sending for the water police. As soon as the police attempted to board the ship, the crew attacked them, and it was with some difficulty they were overpowered by the con stables. The prisoners were brought before the Water Police Court, and sentenced to four months’ imprison ment each.

Captain Trouten,'who for the past 16 years has been connected with the Australian Steam Navigation Company —seven years of which period he has held the position of manager —was a passenger to England by the last mail. His project is to visit some of the best shipbuilding yards, and to give orders for the construction of two new steamers, to supplement the present fleet. Prior to his departure his brother officers entertained him at Aaron’s Exchange Hotel, where he was the recipient of a very handsome souvenir. It is with regret I have to record the death of Mrs. W. B. Dailey, wife of our eminent Q.C. Mrs. Dailey succumbed to that now raging disease, typhoid fever, yesterday morning. Mrs. Dailey was a sister of Mr. William A. Long, recently a member of the Legislative Assembly, and of Lady Martin, wife of our Chief Justice. Mr, J. R. Skuthorpe, who states he has found relics of the Leichardt party of explorers, publicly horsewhipped the editor of the Champion (Blackball) for having inserted an article detrimental to his character. Great excitement pre vails.

The termination of the drought ap pears to have come at last, and not a bit too soon, judging from the fact that drinking water was sold a week ago at Temora at sd. a bucket, whilst up at Cobar, the centre of our great copper district, the inhabitants were reduced to a few days’ supply. Mr. E. E. Waters, one of our most talented journalists, has, during the past week, passed from our midst. He was attacked very suddenly with typhoid fever, and in despite of all medical aid succumbed to the terrible disease. Mr. Waters, at the time of his death, held the position of sub-editor of the Evening News. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss.

Great disappointment was felt here by the postponment of the great Sculling Championship, between Laycock and E. Hanlan. Hundreds had sat up all night with a view of securing the news as soon as it was cabled. Some practical joker put up a telegram outside an hotel, “ Laycock won easily,” and signed it Edward Hanlan. It is said hundreds read the supposed result and went on their way rejoicing, little thinking the whole thing was a hoax.

A new Theatre, called the “ Gaiety,” has been started here within the past month. Messrs. Bayliss and Solomon are the lessees. No expense having been spared, this bijou theatre takes rank with any similar place of amuse ment in the colonies. When full, it seats 1,500 comfortably. Mr. F. Mar shall has concluded his third week of “ Quilp" to constantly crowded houses, hundreds being turned from the doors nightly. Since Mr. Marshall’s seces sion from the Comedy Company now playing at the Theatre Royal, great notice has been taken of his loss to his old haunts. Robertson’s comedy, “Ours,” is now being played at the Royal to fair houses. Mr. J. C. Hoyte, an artiste recently from New Zealand, has for the past 12 months been employed painting views of Sydney Harbor. Eight of the above paintings were sold at Messrs. Bradley, Newton, and Lamb’s auction rooms last week, and realised good prices. Mr. Whatam, who for the past seven years has been employed as a letter carrier in the General Post Office, has received intelligence by last mail from England that he is heir to a fortune of L 30,000.

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

ON THE VOYAGE OUT. [Continued.] “ And this is to last four months,” thought Annie with a sob. “It is impossible ! It cannot be! How shall we all live through it? And Dick? Poor Dick !” She longed, if she might, to comfort the poor creature in the next cabin, but consolation from her, Annie thought, would be irony. Well, God knew she pitied her. “ Annie !” cried Dick, starting up . from his troubled sleep, and dismayed, on seeing his young wife in tears. What on earth is the matter? Why are you crying ? This is unkind,” She suffered the reproach rather than distress him by telling him what she •; had seen. So she feigned that she had. " been thinking of home, and looking at ■ E England for the last time. She was , r . so devoted to Dick that she would have said anything rather than grieve him, or let him suppose that she was dwell ingon the trouble that had befallen them. And indeed with all truth, had he touched on the subject, she could have told him that her jealousy was swallowed up by pity, and her one desire was, short of giving up Dick, to make the poor girl in the next cabin happy. For many successive days Miss Brand never appeared either at the table or on deck. She refused to leave her cabin. The doctor was called in, aqd 4 came out looking very grave, Caruthers, the Blundells, all Besought ' her, in vain, to make an effort, but She i E was resolute. She pleaded sea-sickness, languor, and finally grew excitable. “ Nothing should tempt her to she said. . , ‘ V/’ . k,. Another week passed, and still 'Miss Vi Brand never appeared. Stewards began to grumble; they thought she might come to meals, but the boy Who was told off to wait upon her shrugged , _ his shoulders, as though he knew more | than he chose to say. Mrs. became nervous, and confided to Annie one day on deck that she feared Miss Brand was very ill—peculiar, in fact. Indeed, she dared hardly say what, she thought. “It was too bad of hec friends to send a girl like that out with; out a special attendant, or relatives of her own, to look after her. She had . , been recommended the long sea-voyage, but she was evidently unfit to travel. So obstinate. She had taken a, fit—"a 1 mania—into her head that she .Would not leave her cabin all the voyageVand she supposed no one could prevent ; ■ her doing as she liked.” ■

That evening Annie confided what Mrs. Caruthers had told her to' Dick* vi He was not sorry to find his wife open ~ the subject of her own a!ccofd, showed him her mind was in a healthier 1 state. --.i “Do you know, Dick,” she con tinued, “poor Miss Brand is in a bad way, and I wonder, dear, if—-if—” “If what ? Speak, Annie, and don’t : be afraid. ” “ Well, if I might go and -waitr on her and take care of her. ' I should like to if I might; for oh Dick,” seiz ing his hand, “ by what I feel'fcr you I know what she has lost, and must now be suffering, and I am so—so —sorry for her” : .■/' / ; A. ,

Dick remained silent. First of all he was thinking what a golden-hearted little woman he had for a wife,, and . how, despite everything, he preferred her before all the world. “You don’t answer me,; Dick. Won’t you let me ?” she asked. “ I was thinking, dear,” he said quietly, “ that I love you for your request, but I would rather you did \ not offer. It is kind of you—and like j you —but you could never do her any good, poor girl.” “Why?” >1 I 1

“ Because —Ah, don’t ask me, Annie. Now that the subject is not tabooed between us, let me tell you that I would rather we kept apart from her, ■ .If it is not well for her to be in her cabin* it , would be the worse for to see me always with you. Now do you understand ?” . : , r “ Just as you please. But I feei as if I owed her some reparation for—oh, Dick, darling, I have seen her anguish. It is too dreadful, and sometimes in the night, when the ship is quiet, and ■ r there is no sound stirring but the tread JL of the officer of the watch, then; I He awake and hear her moan and sigh, and I can’t sleep.” “Poor girl!” sighed Dick, sadly. “It has been awfully unfortunate. I *| never cease to regret this trouble to . 1 her, and to us all. I would rather f have lost hundreds of pounds than it should have happened. lam perately afraid that it will end in the old misery.” “ What old misery ?”

“Nothing to do with me, dean <Joij’t fear. But say no more, for I can't bear to revive old sorrows.” 1 ’f Days and weeks passsed. The doctor : I still went in and out of Miss Brand’s cabin, growing more serious as time went on. The ship was sailing into warm latitudes, haying come lately through a belt of squalls j each .day thf ■ equator was getting nearer. Annie had f often seen Miss Brand as she had found her on that first morning. But lately i ; her grief had taken a new turn. At night, when Dick was smoking in the fore part of the vessel, Annie would come down to her cabin, and in, the stillness she could hear the poor girl mutter audibly : “He might have waited; he might have waitedand then she would l 1 mutter incoherently like one distraught w What poor Annie felt at . such moments can never be fully described. % She was a pious little soul, and used to pray a good deal that some way might * be found out of the trouble. It became an accepted fact at last that Miss Brand- - was an invalid who kept to her cabin. “Too bad,” the captain, was oyer- , , heard to say, “tosend a girl on boUrd ' | in that state of health, and without an ■*"* attendant too. But since she is here,, you must look after her, dbetoiy^intltf the ladies, and we must make the best

of it. They will have to send' her T home again, I expect, as soon as Ishe; . - gets out.” Thus the matter was finally dismised^. The weather grew days of calm, when the ship refusedyta .. .. move, but laid like a loginsiseaof molten .glass. ; In - the cabins Kt stifling; and Adelaide ;Brapd, ; -W£s suffering intensely. t The ; passengers had grown tired of the re fractory invalid, and left her very much

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.



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