SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. Arrived. To-day. Albion. £.s., from Auckland, via way ports. Hawea, s.a., from the North. Cleared. Yesterday. Saxon, schooner, for Auckland, Rangitiki, ship, for London. Sailed. Yesterday, Island Lily, brigantine, for Chatham Islands. May Queen, barque, for Bluff. - Ocean Ranger, schooner, for Cape Town. To-day. Albion, s.s., for Port Chalmers. Grafton, s.s., for Wellington, Nelson, Westport, and Greymouth. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. I Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Advance, from Lyttelton; Rate M'Gregor, from Tiinarn ; Sovereign of the Seas, from Norfolk Island; Borealis, from. Wellington. Sailed—Arawata, for the South. Welding ton, Yesterday. Arrived—Rotorua, from the South ; Albion, from Auckland, via East Coast; Wallace, from Nelson ; Hawea, from the North ; Hinemoa, from Taranaki. Sailed —Rotorua, for Auckland, via the East Coast." Timaru, Yesterday. -Arrived —Prince Rupert, from Lyttel ton. Sailed —Taiaroa, for Dunedin. Maori, for Oamaru. Bluff, Yesterday. Sailed —Te Anau, for Melbourne.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Chief Post Office, Christchurch, for the following places (subject : to necessary alterations) as under:— Wednesday, January 12. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi (for specially addressed correspondence only), Continent of Europe, Point de Halle,.lndia, the East, Aden, Mauritius, Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Suez, the Mediterranean Ports, Australian Colonies, &c.: —Ordinary letters at 7 a.m. ; books and newspapers at 6 a.m. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11th ; money orders at' 4 p.m. on Tues day, January 11th. Late fee letters may be posted in the travelling Post Office van attached to the express train on Wednes day, January 12th.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

: AUCTION SALES. Saturday, January 15. Mr. Alfred Harrison, at his Yards— Horses, Buggy, Harness, Piano, Sewing Machine, Furniture, &c. 12 o’clock. Tuesday, January 18. Robert Wilkin and Co., Tinwald Yards — Horses and Store Merino Ewes. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Ac. .‘; Monday, January 10. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Wednesday, January 12. Local Industries Association —Meeting, Pipper ; Room of Town Hall, 8 p.m. sc Wliicnesday, February 2. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. .

The Ashburton Guardian. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1881. The “Sundowner.”

TOWN EDITION. - -[lssued iit S p.m. ]

Loud complaints reach us from the farmers of the many sturdy men who are now roaming about the country districts/in iSearph of work, and who, with the greatest assurance possible, enter the farmers’ houses, and demand to be fed and housed for the night. We'Mve no more hospitable people in the colony than are the farmers of this county; and a hungry man is seldom re fused, when, weary and way-worn, he asks food and shelter. But there are mert'continually on the road who seem to regard the farmer as their natural purveyor of food, and these men are a pest to the agriculturalist. Their “ bite and sup” is not grudged, nor does the farmer grudge them a shake-down. But their conduct towards their benefactor is not Always the most grateful, nor is their bearing generally the most seem ing. « "Ond farmer told us that within a fortnight .or so he had fed no less -• < than eleven* sojourners. He did ' not complain of finding them food* apd a shake-down, but several of theni^tfb^ep’very peremptory in their one,:in particular had beeiif-impudent enoughto march straight- in at the front door, and seat himsfijf down -in* the best room. When

one of the females came in heat once orde&d' her to fetch him some milk and eat, r.nd generally put’on airs ajnf the .place bad been his own. Fortyjpajfely jbe ,'firmer was at home, and reference to .the hoe he. was working'tfith had the effect of in-: dneing the traveller to remove to a more hnmble placeman! the parlor sofa until Ibis wants were supplied in the manner t the farmer choSe lo adopt. Visitors of

this character are too frequent in the country, and if anything is more likely to freeze up the fountain of charity in any man’s breast, it is to be frequently treated in the manner we have just described. There are many honest men out of work and searching for it on the plains, and a respectable man who solicits food and shelter humbly will always be attended to, and gladly ; but when the “ professional sundowner” makes his appearance, and behaves in an overbearing manner to females at a homestead, the feeling of security that every resident ought to possess is disturbed, and its place is taken by an uncomfortable impression that it is dangerous to be stringent with those loafers. Perhaps it might be as well, when one of those “ lords of the soil” makes his imperative demands at a homestead, that information of the fact, and a hint a* to the route he took, should be sent to the police. A few comm ttals lor six months would re move the nuisance--the professional sundowner would ba gradually weeded out, or his temper at least subdued, and the poor but genuine searcher after work would always be kindly treated — out of charitv and not out of fear.

Thf. Flower Show. —The catalogue of the Flower Snow to be held the sth of March has now been prepared, and may be obi vined f Mr. k E. Poyntz. We hope our gardening friends wLI not fail to put forth every effort to make the Show the success that it ought to be. Local Industries, —On Wednesday evening next, a meeting of the Ashburton Local industries Association will be held in the Upper Room or the Town Hall at 8 p.tn., when members are requested to be prepared with all the information on industrial sub jects they possess. Erratum. —By a printer’s error in our paragraph yesterday about the Masonic installation the name of Mr. James Bradley was omitted after the letters “W.M.”inthe list of officers, and also the letters “S. W.,” which should have pre ceded the name of Mr. Rudolf Friedlander. This omission makes the paragraph read as if Mr. Rudolf Friedlander were the Master of the Lodge, and there were no Senior Warden, whereas Mr. Bradley is the Master, and Mr. Friedlander the Senior Warden.

How TO MAKE A MaNUGRAPH. —BoiI four ounces of Russian glue (that has been soaked in water for 24 hours) with three ounces of glycerine. Boil till liquid, and pour carefully into a flat tin dish. When cool it is ready for use. Use for ink Judson’s purple dye. Y rite what you want to copy on a piece of note paper, slightly sponge the face of the composi tion, and lay your written note paper face downwards upon it. Press the writing evenly into the face of the composition, and lift off. You can then take fifty copies of the writing from the impression left on the composition by simply laying the sheets upon it one after the other. A Good Landlord. Mr. George Elliot, the late tenant of Abbeymain, received the other day from his landlord, Lord Blantyre, a cheque forL94B 9s. 7d., as an acknowledgment of his belief that for the last fifteen years Mr. Elliot had been over-rented, or rather that unfavor able times had not' permitted the tenant to pay the rent he contracted for—Ll,6oo per annum. Lord Blantyre estimates that a rent of L 1,400 for the time specified would have been something like what he ought to have received, and summing up the total amount he would thus have been entitled to, he finds that his late tenant, arrears included, has overpaid to the pro prietor the sura already mentioned, viz., L 948 9s. 7d., which is now returned ac cordingly. Generous and considerate con duct like this requires no comment.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Reuter's Agency.) The Disaster to the 94th. London, Jan. 6. The official report of the disaster met with by the detachment of the 94th Regiment in Transvaal almost com pletely confirms the accounts first re ceived. Tire detachment was escorting a convoy of supplies, when it was sur rounded by Boers, who summoned the British to surrender. Upon the latter refusing, the Boers, swept down on them, and 112 officers and men were killed. In Command. Sir Evelyn Wood is to proceed to the Cape to command the British forces in the Transvaal. Debentures. L 200,000 of Adelaide mortgage de bentures have been subscribed for at par. The Panama Canal. The first batch of engineers, to undertake the construction of the Isthmus Canal, have embarked for Panama.

AUSTRALIAN

(Per Reuter’s Agency.) Revenue Returns. Melbourne, Jan. 7. The revenue of Victoria for the last quarter amounted to Li,252,000, being an increase of Li 93,000 compared with the corresponding quarter of 1879. The chief increases are :—Customs, 1,59,000; excise,' 1,63,000; public works, 1,67,000. The territorial revenue shows a decrease of Li 5,000. The revenue for the year 1880 amounted to L 4,706,000, being an increase of 1,292,000 on 1879. Commercial. Sydney, Jan. 7. Hennessy’s brandy, case, 365. 6d. ; bulk, quarters, ns. Kerosene, dia mond, per gallon, is. kerosene, is. id. ; Patna rice, per ton, L 23 ; Sugar Company’s No. r pieces, per ton, L 35 j New Zealand wheat, per bushel, 4s. id. ; New Zealand oats, per bushel, 2s. ; maize, per 601b5., 2s. Bd. ; tobacco, raven twist, per lb., is. candles, O. R.O.’s, Bj^d. Recovering, Bishop Barker, who had a severe attack of paralysis, is steadily recover ing. Prorogued- Adelaide, Jan. 7- 1 he South Australian Parliament has been prorogued. The Year’s Exports. The exports of the colony for the past year show an increase of Li, 000,000. Breadstuffs. Adelaide, To-day. Wheat, 4s. 4d., with good demand. Town flour, Lio 10s. to Lio 12s. 6d. ; country brands, L 9 ss. to L 9 7s. 6d. Freights to United Kingdom from Ade laide, 495. 6d.; from out ports, 50s.

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Another : Victim. Wellington, To-day. A man named J. W. Jordon, formerly

a clerk in. the Legislative Council, was found dead outside the Railway Hotel, Lower Hutt, at 5 o’clock this morning. Jordon was last seen alive last right at the hotel, where he was ' under the influence of liquor. The landlord had him put to bed and lokced the door. It is supposed that Jordon attempted to get out of the window, when ho fell and was hilled, his neck being broken. The deceased recently received L7OO, and has been drinking heavily of late. That Bar. DunEinx, To day. The Harbor Board authorities, deny that the s.s. Te Anau was drawing only 141 feet when she touched the oar. It was the last quarter of the flood tide. Fire. A four-roomed house at Port Chalmers, owned by George Madigan, was burned down last night. It was insured in the Standard Company for LI3O.

THE IRISH QUESTION.

More Arrests. Parnell Opens the Ball- Earl Beaconsfield on the Situation. A Letter from His Holiness. (By Cable.) London, Jan. 6. Six more I-and Leagurcs ha ■:* b.en arrested in Ireland, and will shortly be placed on their trial. , Mr. Parnell has taken Ids sea in the House of Commons, aiv 1 ha given notice of an amendment on the address in Reply to.the Queen’s Speech, staling that he is convinced thatpeuce in Ireland will not be promoted by suspending the existing laws. The introduction of bills for the adoption of county government in Ireland, to secure protection- to person and property, and to resrict the sale and possession of arms, ha 'e been notified, and Mr. Gladstone wi 1 move that the discussion of these measures shall take precedence of everything, until they are passed. London, Jan. 7.

In the House of Lords to-cuy, the address in reply to the Speech Lora the Throne was voted, after a short de bate. In consequence of the latter, Earl Beaconsfield said that the (lovern ment, by reversing the policy of his Administration, had endanger d the peace of Ireland, and he olamed Ministers for not having earlier adopted a coercive policy. He advised them not to weaken the hands of the Exe cutive in Ireland. Earl Granville, in reply, denied the assertions of Lord Beaconsfield, and argued that the Government was not alone answerable for the state of Ireland. Ministers were, he said, determined to enforce respect for the law in that country. In the House of Commons, the de bate in reply is proceeding. Sir Stafford Northcote attacked, and Mr. Gladstone defended the policy of the Government in Ireland. The latter admitted that the condition of the country was shame ful, but urged that earlier action was not justified for the suppression of the dis order without steps being taken to re dress the grievances of the people. The debate has been adjourned to the next sitting.

The Pope has written a letter to the Archbishop of Dublin, in which he strongly condems the method of agita tion of the Irish people to redress their grievances. He trusts justice will be done them by the Government, but ex pects that Irishmen will respect the laws of their country.

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The Queen’s Speech. (Per Reuter's' Agency.) London, Jan. 6. Parliament was opened to-day. The Queen’s speech referred to the con tinued maintenance of the European concert. Referring to the Greek frontier question, the speech states that the Great Powers and England will de termine the delineation of the frontier. Alluding to the state of' affairs in Southern Afiica, the speech says that owing to the rebellion of the Boers it was now necessary to take strong, measures to re-assert British authority.. It w’as hoped that the outbreak in Bassuto land would soon be sup pressed, but as regards the Transvaal the rebellion there had indefinitely postponed the plans which were to have been instituted for securing an adminis trative autonomy to the settlers. Re garding Afghanistan, the speech stated that it was not intended to retain Candahar. Alluding to affairs in Ireland, it said that the social condition of the country is alarming, it being, in fact, an extensive system of terrorism. Additional powers are requisite to deal with the state of affairs, and Govern ment would introduce a Bill to provide for the necessary coercive measures for the supression of the existing agita tion, and a Bill w r ould at the same time be brought forward dealing with the Irish land question. The speech further states that it will be proposed to abolish corporal punishment in the army and navy'.

CHISPA’S LETTER.

4t I am not yet so bald that you can see my brains." —Longfellow.

In a recent issue of the Guardian you chronicled thefact that Councillor St. Hill had grown some huge gooseberries. You said they were as large as potatoes, and that on an average they scaled half an ounce each. Well, you gushed a little too much perhaps when you spoke of goose berries and potatoes in the same breath. Buthe must have been a thick-skulled individual who would have taken it for granted that the gooseberries were as large as some of the potatoes that can be shown in this mighty agricultural district. Notwithstanding your palpable hyperbole about the Saint’s gooseberries and the spuds, there is ah editor in Oamaru (an old Ashburton editor, by the way.) who took you to task for, writing so out rageously about the big gooseberry. He gently insinuated that you had been in error—in mote understandable English, that you had told a crammer! It is nothing new for an editor to be accused of that trifling weakness. The Oamaru man is quite aware of that fact, for he was once, as I said, an Ashburton editor. But the Oamaru man has now got hit on the head by a gooseberry that weighs three-quarters of an ounce, and he is ashamed of himself, and of course has to publish his apology to you. 1 believe if our ht. .Hills, and Trevors; arid Soalys, and Smiths were to go over their bushes even yet, they could pelt the head oft that Oamaru mail with gooseberries weighing

heavier than the biggest Swedish turnip Oamaru was ever able to produce. Grow gooseberries ! Oamaru could never wipe out the Saint at that ! ! I get some diabolical letters written to me sometimes. Here’s the worst I-ever received:— i Ham-Sandwich House, Ashburton, Jan. I,’ 1880. Mr. Chi.spa,—Why are tea meetings the most successful Christianising agents in the world ? Give it up ? Because people go to them to scoff" and remain to pray. —-D. Q. I found out who the writer was. I saw him “ scoff” ten sandwiches at on.e sitting on the occasion of a tea fight. He went out for a few minutes, telling the people he had had more than enough. I believed him so thoroughly that I began to shake up tny memory of the details cf his work, in case I should be wanted to give evi dence at an inquest. But imagine my astonishment when, fifteen minutes after wards, I saw him working away at a pile of ham sandwiches —a pile as large as a bundle of roofing shingles. And he isn’t dead yet. “ Scoff ” indeed ;he makes “ scoffing ” a trade.

Scene; Fire Brigade station, 7 p.m., last practice night. Weather : Howling South-wester, and Jupiter Pluvius showering his blessings in torrents. No appearance of officers or men. 7.15 p.m. Two young and ardent firemen appear in full uniform—and umbrellas.

A youth who sees the Laureate’s wreath hanging out for him to clutch, be! ive bob L-- could scratch up ten verses on die subj. ct of the Borough water pipes and the County Council, getting a rhyme in each verse for the word pipes. Tin- is how ho did it. He desires me to say,.' that he loves each member of the County Coum il with a love as groat as was Dawd’s for Jonathan. Campbell Walker, Campbell Walker, You’re a terrible talker, Whcii'thc borough’s claims give you the grilles. To stir up your dander And make it wild wander. Are pioperties owned by the pipes. E. G. Wright, E. G. Wright, You’re a great hand to fight, And your tongue cares not aught whom it wipes; On the counter-petition ’Gains ; Road board partition It was great- -bit you muddled the pipes. Alf. Saunders, Alf. Saunders, Whose brain-pan ne’er wanders Because of Old Tom or old swipes, . You’re a broth of a boy, And my heart leaped for joy When you hinted at buying the pipes. ' But Saunders, oh ! Saunders, ‘ Your pluck went to Flanders —■ It is usually the strongest of types— • When you let such a bargain Slide past in the jargon That was talked about buying the pipes. Tom bullock, Tom bullock Your wits went to mullock, ; And weren’t worth more than a snipe’s, When, content with surrender, You stood by like a gander, And let them stand out of the pipes. John Grigg of Longbeach, To you now I preach, But I won’t give you many hard stripes— The south laud is swampish. And, being so dampish, You don’t care a rap for the pipes 1 , , But, Julian Jackson, r You should have ta’cn action— For gradually the water scheme rlpes, ‘ And iron is belter : - For making a fetter For the stream, than the earthenware pipes ! E. S. Coster, E. S. Coster, Who Rakaia does foster— Her nor’-wester-broiled physiog. wipes— You were wanting in stretch, sir, Wh;n your mind couldn’t fetch, sir, The chance that stuck out in the pipes ! And Cameron ! Duncan, You’re not often funkin’, But this time your courage oe’r-“ flypes”— (That’s .Scotch for a tumble) — And your head was a jumble When you backed out of buying the pipes ! The eight of a County Might well, of their bounty, Have purchased the iron—(the snipes !) — And saved quite a mint of tin Had they only just bought it in, The stock of Mayor Friedlander’s pipes ! Oh, Chispa ! oh, Chispa ! You now have to lisp a Sweet Blessing that will give them the gripes, For had you been one, sir, Of the County’s eight men, sir, They’d surely have bought all those pipes ! Chispa.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBL ETON. —Yesterday.

(Before Mr. Nugent Wood, R.M.) ENGINEER V. CONTRACTOR. The Court sat last night till seven o’clock, hearing the case of Passmore v. Anderson, a claim for L3O, value of a mare permanently injured and rendered valueless by an accident she sustained, through the alleged neglect of defendants. Mr. Purnell for plaintiff, Mr. Spackrnan for defendants. The facts of the case wore mainly these : —Defendants were the con tractors for the making of the Rakaia and Ashburton Forks Railwa}'. A clause in the general conditions of the contract held the contractors liable to the public for all damage that might be sustained through an accident arising in connection with the works, while a clause forbidding them to sub-let was deleted. Another clause re quired the contractors to have always on the ground a representative of their firm. The Andersens sub-let a portion of the contract to Lake and Beard, but kept theirown representativestillon theground. Plaintiff was engineer for the railway, and denied that Lake and Beard were ever recognised by the company. Plaintiff owned two well-matched ponies, which he valued at about L7O. His man drove them in a buggy (in September, 1879), to Chertscy. In driving over a temporary crossing one of the sleepers canted up, and the off hind foot of the mare, Seltzer, was caught between the sleeper and the rail and permanently injured. The claim was founded on the contention that the de fendants were liable according to the letter of the contract. The defence was that, having sub-let the work of formation and platelaying to Lake and Beard, and the accident having happened on a part of Lake and Beard’s contract, defendants were not liable. Evidence at great length was taken as to the accident to the mare, the value of the animal, &c., and, after counsel had addressed the Bench, the Magistrate said that the contractors bound themselves to be responsible for all damages, Ac. He> was of opinion tba* they could not shirk their responsibility by sub letting the work. They also kept a man to see that the work was properly done. Judgment would; therefore be for plaintiff. for the amount claimed, L3O, with costs of witnesses, L 5 ; court costs, L2 6s. ; solicitor’s fee, L2 2s. Mr. Spack man gave notice of appeal, on the ground of the law point raised, that the contrac tors were not liable for the sub-con tractor’s negiect.—The Court then rose.

Holloway’s Pills. —It is difficult to de termine what is the more trying to health, -intense cold or excessive heat, though every body knows that sudden transitions from the one to the other teem with disease, which may in most instances be staved off by an early resort to these purifying, regulating, and strengthening Pills. This well known and highly, esteemed medicine affqrds a, safe . and. easy remedy for almost every constitutional wrong which climates, changes, or dietetic errors can engender’ and effectually removes any veakness self-indulgent habits may have induced. In all conditions of. the system bordering on discease indicated by apathy, listlessless, and restlessness, Holloway’s Pills will prove espicially serviceable in begetting 4 yiyacity appreciated by both sound and sick.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE LATE IMPOUNDING CASE.

To the Editor. Sir, —In justice to the Racing Club and mysejf, kindly permit me to correct the report of the case heard at the R.M. Court on the 4th inst., which said the verdict was for the defendant, 1 having to pay all expenses. The true verdict was for me, with costs, and—putting his solici tor’s fee at the modest sum of half a guinea—has cost the defendant, Mr. Wilkie, seventeen shillings. My case was brought at the request of all who had their horses impounded, having expressed their determination to take proceedings also afterwards. Several of the Racing Club expressed their regret at his illegal and unjustifiable conduct, but it is easily accountable for-—Mr. Wilkie, hav ing bought the gates at too high a price, was determined, legally or illegally, to make a haul, but to his surprise and ex pense, he finds caught in his net neither flat heads no mullet, but real live Philis tines. —I am, &c., Spencer Stephens. Tinwald, Jan. 6th, 1881.

[Mr. Stephens is perfectly correct when he states that the verdict was for plain tiff, as a matter of fact. The error was ours. Our reporter understood that no costs were given, or rather, that each party had to pay his own costs. With the motives which prompted Mr. Wilkie to seize the horses we have nothing to do. The Racing Club leased the reserve, and while it is in their occupation no one has any right to trespass on it; neither, of course, has the Secretary any right to take horses ho has seized upon it through the racecourse gates and chai’ge gate-money. —Ed. A. G ] ‘

THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE RIVALS. A ROMANCE OF ILFRACOMBE. [Continued.] “ I will take your advice,” he said, “ But when can I see you again? My name is Gossett, and I am at the big hotel.” “My name is Mayfield, and I am staying there, too.” “ 1 don’t know why, but I don’t like him,” Gerald said to himself, as he looked alter Gossett, as he went up the steep path from the cove. “ They say that a man you have saved from drowning is sure to do you some harm; not that I am fool enough to believe that, but I don’t like him. Somehow or. other, I should say he was shifty. But, there, T dare say it’s prejudice, and that he is a good fellow enough, though certainly not a strong man, anyway.” Physically, the man did not look strong, and the world did . not trouble itself as to his mental strength. Paul Gossett was manager of the Metro politan and Suburban Bank, a good position for a man of his age. A popu lar man generally, with a constant smile and a gentle manner. Much liked by the directors, and considered a very eligible man, indeed, at Clapham, where he lived.

Gerald Mayfield went for a sharp walk after his bath, and most of the visitors at the hotel had finished break fast when he went in. Half an hour later Mrs. Heneage, and her daughter came in dressed for a walk. As a matter of course he took his hat.

“ What are your plans for this morn ing ?” “ I do not feel equal to much walking this morning,” Mrs. Heneage said, “so I think I shall sit down behind the Lantern rock. Maud will stay there with me, and in the afternoon we will go along the Tor walks.” “ Very well,’’ Gerald said ; “ I will see you comfortably seated, and then I shall go for a walk inland and be back to lunch.”

Three minutes later, at a turn of the walk, they came suddenly upon Paul Gossett.

“ Why, Mrs. Heneage, this is indeed a pleasure,” he said, as he shook hands with mother and daughter, with a warmth that showed that their acquaint ance was an intimate one. “ How long htive you been down here ? and how long are you going to stay ?” Then, as his eye fell for the first time on Gerald, who was at this moment wishing in his heart that he had arrived just too late that morning to save his life, he recognised him. “ Ah, Mr. Mayfield, I did not recog nise you. I had not seen you dressed before, which must be my excuse. Do you know, Mrs, tjteneage, this gentle man saved my life this morning ?” Mrs. Heneage and Maud uttered an exclamation of surprise. “It was a mere nothing,” Gerald said, almost rudely. “He was tired ; so I swam out to him, and he put his hand on my shoulder till a boat came. It is not worth mentioning.” Maud looked up in surprise at the tone in which Gerald had spoken, but Paul Gossett, without apparently notic ing the rudeness of Gerald’s tone, went on.

“ No, Mrs. Heneage, it is of no use for Mr. Mayfield to try and put aside the obligation in that way. It was, I can assure you, a most gallant action of his. And lam ashamed to say that I lost my presence of mind, and was within an ace of drowning us both.” And he proceeded to relate the story.

“Excuse my interrupting you,” Ger ald said; “ but as I don’t want to listen to my own exploits, I will go off for my walk.”

“ That fellow has comedown on pur pose to see Maud Heneage,” Gerald, said' to himself as he strode along the country road. “1 should not be sur prised if they were engaged, or next door to it.” “ Well,” after a long pause, “ I had no reason in the world to suppose that she cared a button for me ; I don’t suppose she ever gave the matter a thought, one way or another.”

It was late in the afternoon when Gerald returned to the hotel, having walked some thirty miles since starting. He had by this time made up his mind that he would stand aside and see what came of it. If Maud Heneage was in love,' with this man, the matter would soon be settled, and it was not for him to act as spoilsport to their wooing. This resolution he proceeded to carry into execution ; and for the next week siarted early upon long walks, and did not return until .late, leaving- the field open to his..uyal, an opportunity of Which Paul Gosset'wais not slow to avail himself. He .had,; months. before,.re solved to wip Mapd Heneage. ; .She was pretty, . stylish, and had money.

Hitherto his wooing f bad progressed but slowly, but now .lie .made-the most of the opportunity left for him by his rival’s folly. Although he was wholly unskilled in wooing, Maud Heneage had bad sufficient experience in being wooed to feel that this man loved her. And the thought was not unpleasant to her. She felt that he was strong and tender and true ; and when a girl feels thus of a man, unless her affections are pre-engaged, there is but little doubt what her answer will be when it is asked. When, therefore, Gerald sud denly gave up walking with her, and left her to the care of Paul Gossett, she was alike surprised and pained. Had she had an opportunity of speaking with him alone, she would have frankly asked him if she had offended him, but he seemed to avoid all opportunity for explanation; and, from pride and pique, she laughed and talked gaily with Gossett, who was always beside her. Gossett had from the first understood that he had a rival in the man who had saved his life, and dimly fathomed the motives which had actuated him in leaving the course clear for him. “ The man is a Quixotic ass,” he said to himself. I believe she likes him, and he is throwing away his chance ; but the sooner I get him out of the way the better.” At the end of the week Gerald came into the smoking room of the hotel late one evening. Gossett was alone there. ; For a time they chatted on indifferent matters. And then Gossett said ; “ I am sorry I don’t see more of you, but you seem always out, and I—well, ! I hardly look upon myself as a free j man.”

“ May I ask,” Gerald • said, after a moment’s pause, “if you are engaged to Miss Heneage ? ” “ Well, after what I owe you,” Gos sett said, “ I do not like there to be any concealment between us. There is. and has been for some time, a sort of engagement between us. It is not actually an engagement, because her mother objects to long engage ments, and is anxious that her daughter should not marry until sire is three-and twenty. So, you understand, there is no avowed engagement, although, in point of fact, it comes to the same thing. It is a secret between us two now; and I should not tell you, but I know I can rely upon your not mention ing it or noticing it in any way. In a few weeks she will be within six months of three-and-twenty and then it will be publicly announced.” ; Gerald was silent for a short time, and then said quietly : . “ You are a fortunate man. I sus pected it was so from the first time I saw you address her. And now I will say good-night and good-bye. I am going up to town to-morrow. Will you say good-bye for me to Mrs. Heneage and her daughter. “ A very good stroke,” Paul 'Gossett said to himself as he went out. “ Is T ow something of the same sort the other side,-and I think the game’s mine. He’s bard hit, and , won’t care about seeing us after marriage, and if he does, and it happens to come out, it won’t matter then.”

The next morning, at breakfast, he said carelessly to Maud Heneage. “ That queer fellow Mayfield went up to town this morning. He asked me to say good-bye to you and Mrs. Heneage.” “ Has he gone for good P” Maud asked, after a short silence, and Paul Gossett could see that she had grown suddenly pale. “ Oh, yes; from what he said, 1 fancy his wife has come back from some visit or other, and wanted him home.”

“ His wife !” Maud Heneage said. “Yes; did he never speak to you about her?”

Maud did not answer, nor did she go out for her usual walk that morning.

“ Married !” she thought to herself; as she was alone in her room looking out on the sea ; “ married !” Then she had been utterly mistaken in her judg ment effaces; and yet as she sat there, she was unconsciously making excuses for him. He had, she felt sure, loved her; but he might not have known it himself, and when he had realised it he had altogether withdrawn from her. He ought to have told her. It was wrong, very wrong ; but yet he may not have meant any deliberate harm. He might be unhappy with his wife, : and so avoided the subject, thinking that, so long as she was but a chance acquain tance, it was no affair of hers. So, with an aching heart, she made excuses for him, and blushed to find herself doing so.

“ I have no right to think ol him,” she cried ; “ he is a m arvied man, and nothing to me. Thank heaven 1 never gave him cause to think I cared for him ; thank heaven, if we meet to-mor row, I at least need not feel ashamed. It is all over now,” she said wearily, after a pause. “ They say every woman meets her ideal once in lite; I have met mine, but he was already another’s. Well, it does not matter who I marry now.”

Six months later the papers had the announcement of the marriage of Paul Gosset and Maud Heneage ; and upon the day the notice made its appearance Gerald Mayfield said to his partner : “ I have been thinking for some time Harper, that it would be well, if we had a house of our own at Melbourne.. I am sure we should largely increase our business. I have not been well lately, .and want a change badly ; what do you say to my going out for a year or two and starting business there? Once set fairly afloat, we could take Purvis in as partner, and I could come back again.” “ You surprise me Mayfield. I think that a branch house would, pay well, but I don’t see how we could spare you. I have noticed that you have not been yourself for some time, but two or three months’ holiday would set you up.” “ No,” Gerald said, “I want achange of work as well as of scene, I have been hard hit, old man, very hard hit'; and her marriage is in the Times this morning. I knew it would be there soon ; still, as long as it didn’t appear there might be a chance. It’s all over now, and! feel that I must go away for a time.” {To be continued.)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1881.



Special Advertisements. m H E BEST VALUE I- V i ! -i > ' - tOB : • READY MONEY IS THE MEN’S AND BOYS’ CLOTHING MANOFACTUBBD BY ‘.THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, "Wiicli can be purchased at their Retail Branches, all over New Zealand. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Thousands of the discerning customers testify that the. New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Garments are the Very Beat Valtte for Ready Mbney. Ashburton Branch EAST STREET. WM. SPARROW, 751* Manager. (X Carstens & Co. (Late Weston’s), PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, . .. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Sfailrod, Twist, and Yanity Fair r .Tobacco Musicallnstruments, etc., etc. Haircuttihg, ; Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. : . , .• . 520*



A colored man went into a Galveston newspaper office and wanted to take the paper. “How long do you want it?’’ the clerk asked. “ Jess as long as it is, boss; ’ .Ef it don’t fit de shelves I can t’ar a piece off myself.”* ‘ 1



Wanted. WANTED, a Good PLOUGHMAN, accustomed to work a Machine. Apply, Office of this Paper. 885 WANTED, a good general SERVANT. A,pply at once to Butler’s Family Hotel. 869 COOK-WANTED, a SITUATION as Cook in a Hotel or on a Station. .Apply, Office of this Paper. 893 UIERYANT. WANTED, at once, a good General Servant. Alppy to Miss Callaghan, Tancred street. 87 WANTED KNOWN—The Largest and Best Stock of Saddlery in to be found at the shop of S. STEPHENS, Tinwald. Good strong Cart Collars from 155.; Cart Winkers, Bs. Cd.; Plough Back-bands, 6s. cash ; Cart Saddles and Breechens, from 505.; Reaping Machine Pole Straps, 2s. Farmers will make a great saving by buying of S. Stephens, Saddler, Tinwald. 871 WANTED —Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery of all sorts to REPAIR. Lowest Charges. PARKER, Watch- ! maker. Private House, directly opposite the Public School. 837 WANTED KNOWN, That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ashburton, are Open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. Great Reduction in Price. 606 WANTED KNOWN—Just arrived from England—Christmas, New Year, and Birthday Cards. New Zealand Illustrated Annual, Young Ladies’ Jour nal, and Bow Beils, Is. Gd. each. Family Herald and Family Reader, Is. each, and all other Magazines supplied at Christ church Prices. Colonial and European Newspapers, School Books, Stationery,&c. A visit solicited. L. F. Andrewes, East street, near Lancaster’s Butchery. 527 ■OLANTED KNOWN—That a Church YV of England minister’s wife writes that she saves Ten Shillings a Fortnight by using Harper Twelvetreos’ Villa Washer, Wringer, and Mangier, com bined ; and, although she permits no rubbing, the clothes are beautifully white, and much cleaner than when done by hand, while the saving in mending has been astonishing. Sold by J. HERN, Range Maker and Importer, corner of Manchester and Tuam streets, Christ church; Price—£9 10s. 700



WANTED KNOWN. SOMERSET LIVERY AND BAIT STABLES. JW. M‘RAE bogs 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 YTTANTED.—THE GUARDIAN tells ’ ’ your Wants for Is.—cash. Meetings. Local industries associa tion. A MEETING of the above will be held in Upper Room of Town Hall, on WEDNESDAY, the 12th, at 8 p.m. It is requested that members will be prepared with all available information in respect of industries they are appointed to report upon. S. E. POYNTZ, 890 Hon. Sec. Tenders. In E N D E R S. tenders for the erection of a COTTAGE on the Wakanui Road will be received by the undersigned up io SATURDAY, the 14th instant. Plans and specifications to be seen at Mr. Bird’s, Burnett street. The lowest or any tender will not neces sarily be accepted. F, P. O’REILLY, 894 Solicitor.



3 TTPPER ASHBURTON ROAD U BOARD. > TENDERS are invited for— ■> No. 93.—Forming three miles more or i less continuation of the road (lately formed by Mr. Robt. Millar) to the } Junction of Anthy. Thompson’s ; road to the Rakaia. * Tenders, addressed to the Chairman, c are not to be later than 12 noon MON t DAY, the 10th instant. Specification to be seen at the office. ; ROBT. D. PULLER, t 875 Clerk. Lost and Found. LOST yesterday, between the Post Office and St. Stephen’s Church, a set of CHARMS. Finder will be rewarded on leaving same at Office of this Paper. I 862 FOUND, in the Domain, a Wesleyan HYMN BOOK, with owner’s name inside, who can have the same on apply ing at the Domain Cottage, and paying advertisement. 895 Educational- MiSS Steane, (Late of Ashburton), BEGS to inform the Ladies of South Rakaia, Methven, and neighbor hood, that it is her intention to OPEN SUPERIOR PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR DAY PUPILS, Shortly after the Christmas recess, and she will be happy to treat with any wish ing their daughters or young sons to re ceive thorough instruction. 794 Public Notices. Mount somers road dis trict. ELECTION OF ONE MEMBER TO FILL EX TRAORDINARY VACANCY IN, NO. 4 WARD. Messrs. JOHN HOOD and PHILLIP TISOH having been nominated as mem bers for No. 4 Ward of the above district, a POLL will be taken at Mr. Peters’ wool shod on THURSDAY, January 20th, 1881, between the hours of 9 a.m, and 6 p.m. JOHN C. BELL, Returning Officer. Mount Somers, Jan. 7, 1881. 892 i [card.] B. JACOBSEN, ARCHITECT. Note office— HEREFORD STREET, WEST, Christchurch 571 PRINTED —“To Let” and ijL; ; “For Sale”—can be obtained at the Guardian Office.



Public Notices- ASHBURTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Second Annual Show. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1881. J-NTENDING EXHIBITORS ire re quested to take notice that full Catalogues and Prize Lists, and all particulars, can be obtained at my office, or of any member of the Committee. Members and persons desirous of join-| ing are requested to pay their anmialsub scription at my office at as early a date as 1 possible. S. E. POYNTZ, ' sot Hon. ■ Sec.



FARMERS ! FARMERS ! FARMERS I R. McKERROW AND OQ., RE Cash Purchasers of Wool, Grtdif, and all kinds of Farm Produce, and are also prepared to make liberal CASH ADVANCES on the above placed in their hands either for sale or shipment to the English or Colonial Markets. M A Large Stock of Comsacks, Wool- - packs, &c., for sale at lowest current prices. - ' ,■; T E, McKERROW & G0.,,'! /.sSa CRAIN MERCHANTS, RAKAIA. ! ii GO jTMPORTANT TO FARMER. Osborne Harvesting 5 Machinery. Osborne Harvester and Binder, to hind-- ; w ith both string and wire, price, i ■ L7O. '■ T ■b:.A Ditto ditto, with iron road -wheel,: - and patent lifting apparatus*... : „ price L 75. i )rj If > ;'X CJ. String attachments to fit on old wire Binders, price LG 10s. ,;?;i -• -;;f O'A rrf N.B.—No charge - fitting if. sent | our store. Osborne No. 6 Side Delivery Reapers and Mowers. Osborne No. 6 Tilter or Bach Delivery Reapers and Mowers. . Osborne No. 5 Mowers. EXTRAS FOR ALL THE ABOVE MACHINES KEPT IN STOCK. Sole Agents in New Zealand— ROBERT WILKIN ft CO., New Zealand Wool 624 Christchurch. \ /\i>' McDougall’s Carbolic Sheep Dip IS the Best and Safest in the Marked I.) A erne specific for Scab, instantly destroying Ticks, Lice, and all Insects, effectually cleansing and stimulating the growth of the Fleece. ; \ ; / Sold in 101 b. and 201 b. tins, and 50lb. kegs, by . , ROBERT WILKIN & CO., | New Zealand Woo! Stores, d 627 Christchurch. |



F 854 O R For Sale.; S ONE BUCK-EYE REAPER. W. MONTGOMERY & CO. F O R S E. QUARTER ACRE in Mrs. McLean’s Paddock. Good soil. Well situated and cheap. No reasonable offer refused. W. WHITE, 809 ; Agpht. Poyntz & Co. * HAVE FOR SALE, on advantageous and easy terms of payment, the following • TOWN AND SUBURBAN PROPERTIES:— A good five-roomed House, on quarter acre of land, within three or four chains of the jEast Town Belt. A compact four-roomed House, with one acre of land, well fenced. Three;, ~ quarters of an acre laid down as a paddock. - : : '- : - A nice four-roomed House on half-acre of land, near the Gas Works,.well finished throughout. 4 • f / Town Sections, 742, 743, 465, 466, 467. Town Section 711, upon which is-erephad|-| a capital four-roomed House httedif with every convenience. .. A two-roomed House, with' outbuild ings, on a quarter acre, well fenced and planted, on N. E. Belt. MONEY for investment, on approved security, in sums of £SO and; upward?, at I l —j. — '■ • • c -■ 1! 595* ■ current rates Publications. J Si rrtHE TRADE PROTECTION SO- X CIETY’S PRIVATE CIRCULAR (instituted 1873) gives, a weekly list of Bills of Sale, Mortgages of Stock, Liens, Bankruptcies, &c., throughout New Zea land. On Monday, an “ Extra” is printed for Canterbury, containing information; up to 12 o’clock on the preceding Satur day. For particulars, apply at: the Office, Hobbs’ Buildings, High street, Cjhrist church.—T. B. Craig, Agent for Canter bury, 816 Melbourne international EXHIBITION. The NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA! / (LIMITED) have recently PUBLISHED a small BOOK entitled M A GUIDE TO MELBOURNE,” for the use of intending £ visitors to the Melbourne Exhibition. It contains also a variety of information of interest to the general COPIES i may be had FREE OF CHARGE on > plication at any of the offices of the Associa- -- ■ i . i tion throughout the Australasian colonies. Head office for New Zealand—Thhpijb j Chambers, Featherst©** ’EtßEktf,' Wat- 3 UNGTON. ■■ ■> rYI ) \ Resident Secretoy— v J District Agent, Asnbunbn-r- /■ .t * > i r S. SAtJ N D EVR 5..506 ' T ll i GUARDIAN is on every Tea Table in Ashburton.