SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. W. 0. Wentworth, barque, from New castle. To-day. Hawea, a.a., from Port Chalmers. Ringarooma, s.s., from Wellington. Sailed. Yesterday. Emerald, ketch, for Foxton. Thames, ketch, for Pelorus Sound. Gatlin, ketch, for Gatlin’s River. Emperor, brig, lor Newcastle. Wakatipu, s.s., for Dunedin. To-day. Ringarooma, s.s., for Melbourne, via the South.

SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived —Mazeppa, from Rarutonga ; Loongana, from Hobart; Agnes Donalds, from Aitutnki; Southern Cross, from Norfolk Island.

Wellington, Yesterday. Arrived —Lucy James, from Timaru Agnes, ketch, from Kaiapoi. Port Chalmers, To-day. Arrived—Arawata, s.s., from Mel* bourne, via the South. Albany, Yesterday.

Arrived, this morning, in King George’s Sound—P. and O. Co.’s steamship Carthage. One of the passengers is suffering from scarlatina, and the vessel has accordingly been placed in quarantine. She brings the outward mails via Brindisi, Dated London, Nov. 4. Sydney, Yesterday Arrived, this afternoon—Union Co.’s steamship Hero, from New Zealand.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, December 10. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Valuable Suburban Properties; 2.30 o’clock. Mr T. Bullock, at the Bazaar—Horses ; 1.30 p.tn, Thursday, December 15. J.-T. Ford and Co., at Friedlander Bros.’ Saleroom —Valuable Freehold Pro perty ; 1 o’clock. Tuesday, December 20. Matson, Cox and Co., at the Tinwald Yards —Stock, MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c To-night, Tuesday, December 6. Mr Wason —Address to Wakanui Elect ors, Temperance Hall, Tinwald, 7.30 p.m. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. To-morrow, Wednesday, December 7. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. ’Mi- Wason — Address to Wakanui Elect ors, Wakanui Schoolhouse. 8 p.m. Thursday, December 8. Purnell—Address to Wakanui Elect ors, Longbeach School, 7.30 p.m. Monday, December 12. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Tuesday, December 13.

Horticultural Society—Monthly Meeting, Mr Jones’ Upper Room, 8 p.m.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.30 p.m.] The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1881.

To-day's Court. —At the R.M. dourt to-day, Fred Hood, employed by one Hamilton, A contract farmer, was charged with ill-treating three horses belonging to his employer, by employing .them to do ploughing while they were suffering from sore shoulders. Fined 10s, and ordered net to use the horses again until they had recovered. Michael O’Connor, charged with being drunk in a public place, was fined 20s, with the alternative of forty eight hours imprisonment. Mr WaSon. —Mr Wason addressed the electors of Wakanui at the To am Hall last evening. A report of the proceedings will be found on another page. Mr Wason addresses the electors at Tinwald to-night, at the Temperance Hall. The Earthquake. —Our Alford Forest correspondent wrote yesterday . —A very Severe shock of earthquake was felt here this morning about twenty minutes to eight. Coining from the North West the shock was quickly followed by a stiTcr one accompanied by a rumbling no: ;. About an hour afterwards there was a tremendous rainfall, which lasted about two hours, - The weather baa of I 0 *? anything but favorable and not at all like summer Weather. This might be the cause of better and clearer weather, which is much needed for shearing purposes. : Horticultural Society. —The ordi nary monthly meeting of the above will be held at Mr Jones’s upper room, on Tuesday evening next, at the usual hour.

Another Shake.— Another shock nl earthquake, though very slight, is reportnc' from Christchurch to have occurred A five o’clock this morning.

A Hint to Ratepayers. —As the valuer for the Borough is now prosecut ing his labors, it would be well if the attention of the burgesses was directed to clause 10 of the Rating Act, 1876, wh'ch says—“ Any bank, joint stock, or other company, firm, co-partners, or joiot tenants occupying any property may, by a notice in writing delivered to the valuer before the valuation list is made up, nominate some member or officer of such bank, company, or firm, or any one of such co-partners or joint tenants, who shall be deemed to be, and shall be entered in the valuation list as the occupiers of such property.” By sending such notice to the valuer many of the public companies and others, who are at present debarred from voting at municipal elections would enjoy that privilege. Joint stock com panies, such as the Town Hall Company, should insert the name of the public officer, or the chairman of directors, on the valuation list, who would then bo placed on the burgess roll, and much dis appointment on election days would be avoided. Attempted ’Suicide. Thel Panson’s reside at Manawatu. The other morning Mr and Mrs Panson fell out, and as there did not seem any probability of their falling in again, Panson retired to an out house, hitched a rope to a beam, muttered a farewell to the world, and then “turned himself off.” There is no doubt that Panson would soon have been beyond quarrelling had not a friend arrived in the nick of time and cut him down. Sub sequently he was arrested and charged with the attempt upon his life.

Mr Ivess’ Rakaia Meeting. —The fol lowing from a correspondent at Rakaia came to hand too late for our last issue : About 100 were present at the meeting. Mr Welsh was proposed to take the chair. ; A storm of bowlings, etc,/followed the suggestion. Mr Welsh made some unaudible remarks. Mr Ivess said he had decided to address the electors at Rakaia for the second time. (Howlings, shouts, and whistlings.) Mr Tv-ess repeated the foregoing remarks, when he was again greeted with a storm of hisses and groans. Mr Ivess appealed for a fair hearing, and said the interruptions were cowardly and un-English. If there were any present who did not like to hear his remarks, they could go. (More hisses, etc.) Mr Ivess then called on his friends to give him the names of the howlers (more hooting), and he would give them the widest publicity in the Mail. (Hoots.) After some little time he again resumed. He would first treat upon the broad and burning land question. He had been stigmatised by Mr Wason i a Communist. [A voice : “Mr Wason never mentioned you ; don’t be personal. ” I Mr Ivess : Mr Wason had mentioned him inferentially. (Hoots, whistles, and groans.) [Constable Rowse then at tempted to arrest one of the audience, but evidently thought better of it and desisted. Great confusion ensued, pesplo crowding round the constable.] Mr Ivess said that the rowdy blackguards present had evidently been paid by Mr Wason’s supporters to make these interruptions, (Continued confusion.) Well, he was not going to address a lot of blackguards, a . Mr Wason’s supporters were showing themselves to be. (Hoots.) After several other attempts, Mr Ivess said he was not going to stop there to talk to a lot of blackguards and retired, and the meet ing broke up in confusion.

More Work. —Tenders are invited in this issue for the erection of twenty chains post-and-rail feiice; and Mr Ingram calls tenders for erecting a shop and dwelling house for Messrs Andrewes Bros. Lecture. —Mr P. P. O’Reilly will lec ture in the Town Hall to-morrow night, the proceeds being for the benefit of a volunteer who was a sufferer by the recent fire. We have Do need to refer to Mr O’Reilly’s abilities as a lecturer, and the subject—“ William Pitt”—in his hands is ever new. The Kolmar Quarry. —lt will be seen from an announcement elsewhere, that Messrs Friedlander Bros, are calling for tenders for carting stone from the above quarry. It is gratifying to learn that there is some demand already for the Kol mar stones and eight men with the man ager are vigorously at work at the quarry. The Weather in the North. —A telegram from Christchurch this morning states that heavy rain fell last night which will do an immense amount of good to the crops, which had begun to seriously Pi l the effects of the long spell of dry weather

CABLE NEWS

LAThST FROM EUROPE [per jrkdter’s agency.] The Governorship of Natal. London) Dec. 5. It is officially aqnoynted that the ap pointment of W. J. Sendall to the Lieut. Governorship of Natal, has been cancelled by the Government, who thus accede to the wishes of the Natal colonists. It is further announced that in providing a successor to Sir Evelyn Wood the Government will appoint a full Governor of the colony instead of a Lieut. Governor as in the past, thus still further meeting the views of the colonists as recently expressed. Sir Garnet Wolsely. An official statement has been pub lished to the effect that Sir Garnet Wol sely, at present Quartermaster-General, will in April next succeed General Sir C. H. Ellice, as Adjutant-General of the forces.

TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.] Court of Appeal- Wellington, To-day. In the Appeal Court, judgment was given in the case of Reeves v. Barker (Napier) discharging the rule for a new trial, each party to, paji liiS own costs. The cash tn Crombie v. Pearce and others (Wellington) is now being heard. Roll Stuffing. At the Magistrate’s Court, tfye informa tion against Gladman Smith for alleged roll stuffing was withdrawn. A similar charge against Cornelius Ryan is pro ceeding. Later. The case against Ryan wa& dismissed, the Bench having a doubt as to the wilful intention of the accused. Drowned. Dunedin, To-day. Mr James Godso, a well known builder, while walking along the railway line on his way home to Ravensburne yesterday evening, lost his hat in crossing a small

bridge. In attempting to catch it, he overbalanced himself and fell into the bay. The water was running out strong at the time, and though not in five minutes —the accident having been ob served from the road—life was extinct when the body was taken out. Foul Air. At Saddle Hill, Adam Callindu, a miner, was killed by foul air m a pros pecting shaft ho was visiting. Out of the Running. Mr Reeves has retired from the contest for City East. Forgery. Henry Beveridge Macintosh, was committed for trial on two charges of forgery. Robbing the Revenue. The Customs authorities seized a quan tity of goods belonging to a Dunedin house. The firm is alleged to have tried to defraud the revenue by understating the value of the goods. Fyke’s Romance. Mr Pyke being reported to have said at one of his meetings that a seat in (he Legislative Council had been offered him on the condition of his retiring from the House, the Hon. John Hall telegraphs;— “No offer of the kind was made to Mr Pyke by our Government, and I never heard of such an offer being made by any other G overn in ent. ’ ’

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

[Per City of Sydney at Auckland.]

[by telegraph.] London, Nov. 30.

An extensive conflagration in Boston resulted in the destruction of property to the value of half a million of dollars.

The Australian clipper Dundee while proceeding down the Thames ran down a yacht off Gravesend and caused her to sink. Seven occupants of the yacht were drowned. A slight difference exists between Boyd and Hanlan with regard to the locality of their sculling contest for the Champion ship. Hanlan insists on rowing on the Thames, and Boyd on the Tyne. [Per s.s. Arawata, at the Bluff.] London, Nov. 21. Hopes are entertained that a general rising of the Transvaal natives will be averted. Many Kaffir tribes which showed a disposition to attack the Boers are now becoming quiet. Atrocious outrages continue to be fre quently perpetrated in the disaffected dis tricts in Ireland, and a painful feeling of alarm prevails amongst the law-abiding portion of the inhabitants. In consequence of the Irish juries per sistently refusing to convict in well-estab lished cases of outrage, the B-itish Go vernment, it is expected, will shortly suspend the operation of jury law in Ireland

Mr Bourko, the rom esentative of the British and I)utch holders of Turkish bonds at Constantinople, has appealed to the British Government to help him in arriving at a satisfactory settlement with the Porte, by throwing their weight and influence against the Russian proposals, which threaten to render a settlement beneficial to bondholders impossible.

The pistol with which Lefroy murdered Gold in the first-class railway carriage has been found in Balcombe tunnel. The Culzean, 1,633 tons, belonging to Kerr, of Greenock, has been wrecked at Jura Sound, amongst the Hebrides. Twenty lives were lost. An attempt has been made to murder the President of the Republic of Venezu ela, General Blanco. The assassin failed in his object. The coasting steamer Columbia has been wrecked with a loss of thirty-two lives.

A Nihilist plot to destroy the Emperor’s palace at Gatchina has been discovered. The plan proposed was to load a balloon with dynamite, and cause it to descend on the palace. Several arrests have been made.

Russia demands the territory of Ar menia and the right to collect the Armenian taxes, as a lien for the in demnity payable by. Turkey. If these

conditions are agreed to, she will guaran tee the remainder of the empire. The Times , commenting on the letter which it has recently published apropos of the reported annexation of Raratonga by France, maintains that the treaty between that country and Great Britain interdicts the former Power from acquirihg such possession. The Times further condemns annexation by European Powers in the Pacific, and censures English jealousy of other European States. TheNihilistshave attempted to assassin ate General Poohervine, the officer in com mand of the Czar’s body guard. Guiteau, in his defence, has declar \ that the shootittg of President Gariy, was suggested by the newspapers, and - hat he was inspired to commit the deed by the Deity. O’Donnell, the member for Dungarvon and vice-president and hon. secretary of the Dish Home Rule Confederation in Great Britain, is assisting Sir Samuel Wilson in his canvass for the teat of Londonderry County. Count Yon Moltke, Chief Marshal of the German Empire, has resigned be command of the German army. Galfrook Lighthouse, in Bantry Bay, on the south coast of Ireland, has been destroyed. : London, Nov. 24. The strike among the potters _in Staffordshire still continues. Thirty thousand of them are now otifc of work, all attempts at reconciliation between the masters and men having hitherto failed.

In consequence of the heavy rains that have lately been experienced the rivers in Buckinghamshire have overflowed their banks and flooded the adjacent country. Great damage has been done to farmers and others.

A serious railway accident occurred near Savannah, the chief city of the State of Georgia, owing to a train into another. Several passengers were killed, and a number injured. A railway collision took place near Dun dee, Scotland, causing the death of several persons, and more or less injury to a good many others-. . An excited condition of feeling still exists in Ireland) and among the other outrages perpetrated that of incendiarism is becoming prevalent. Hi Lodghrea, a market town of some importance near Gal way, iWo houses were set on fire, the cir cumstance in connection therewith point ing clearly to a deliberate attempt to de stroy the buildings. The Dockyard Church at Sheerness, one of the provincial Naval arsenals situated on the Island of Sheppey, at the junction of the Medway and Thames, was destroyed by fire yesterday. The con flagration j took place during divine ser vice, aiid in the rush that, ensued to es cape from the burning building, and the subsequent attempts to extinguish the flames, several lives were lost. . . An excited state of feeling exists in Limerick, and the authorities have deemed it necessary to take stringent precautions to prevent any disturbance. A vigorous search for arms is being prosecuted by the Constabulary, and considerable numbers of concealed weapons have been seized.

MR WASON AT THE TOWN HALL.

Mr J. C. Wason addressed the electors of Wakanui at the Town Hall last even ing for the second time. There was a large attendance. Mr Donald Williamson occupied the chair, and in introducing the speaker to the meeting observed that he had re frained from taking any part in this con test up to the present time, and he intended to refrain from taking any part in it further than recording his vote on the polling-day. Mr Wason, who was received with ap plause, spoke for about an hour and a half and was attentively listened to for the moat part, although one or two gentle men at the back, who had evidently been drinking too much lemonade, created some little disturbance now and again. It will be unnecessary for us to give Mr Wason’s speech here, as with to-morrow’s issue will appear a printed address of that gentleman’s, embodying the observations that fell from him last evening.

In reply to questions Mr Wason said, the present Government had done much for the country; They had passed the Representation Bill, which gave repre sentation according to population, and which people had been agitating for the last ten years. They had given the country Triennial Parliaments; and, above all, they had given the Qualification of Electors Bill. They had enabled people to acquire and settle upon land. There was a million acres of land lying idle at the present time which people could have if they liked to take them They couldn’t have Naboth’s vineyard, but- they could have a very snug vineyard of their own, nevertheless, if they liked. It had been said that the Hall Govern ment had no policy, but he considered that it had a great and good policy which had done much good in the past and might do much in the future. In reply to a gentleman who asked Mr Wason whether it was true that he had caused Mr Ivess to meet with the reception he had met with at Rakaia, Mr Wason said he certainly had not. But he had reason to believe that the rowdyism at that Rakaia meeting had been caused by the Chairman ex hibiting a pair of knuckle-dusters, and saying that he was ready for any of the noisy ones. (Laughter and applause). In reply to a question re borrowing, Mr Wason said that he would not oppose any proposed loans, if he thought that the money would be bona fide expended for the good of the country. He had resigned his seat when formerly a member of the House for purely private reasons of an urgent nature. He did not consider the remarks against the Returning Officer were fair. That official, no doubt, had tried to perform his duty as seemed to him best. He (Mr Wason) had suggested certainly the advisability of more polling places, and that there should be a polling place at Chertsey, as before ; but still, as he had already remarked, these were matters for the Returning Officer to decide. Ho thought Government might do worse than buy up the Ashburton Forks railway. If not paying directly, the line was paying indirectly, for the traffic of the branch lu-lpod that of the main line. He thought the Government ought to allow its railway employes to remain in one place, in order that they might have the opportunity of turning their belongings, their houses and gardens to best advantage, or else Go vernment should provide them with suitable accommodation at its own cost. Mr G. W. Andrews moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wason, whom he thought they were bound to support to the utmost, for his views were very sound, and his in terest bound up with their own. He had replied in a very satisfactory way to the queries put to him, and was deserving of support. Mr J. Carter had much pleasure in seconding the motion, and thought they ought to support Mr Wason. The motion was declared carried, and Mr Wason having thanked them for their votes of thanks, which he infinitely pre ferred to rubbishy votes of confidence, he moved the usual vote to the chair, and the meeting terminated.

INQUEST ON THE LATE FIRE.

An enquiry was held at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Dr Trevor, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr D. Williamson was chosen foreman, touching the recent destruction by fire of Cookson’s stables and Tait’a saddler’s shop, in Wills street,

Sergeant Felton conducted the enquiry for the police. The jury having been sworn proceeded to visit the scene of the fire, after which the following evidence was taken:— Edward Oookson deposed that he re sided in Wills street, Ashburton. Lately occupied premises known as the Livery Stables in Wills street. They were burned down on Saturday morning, about two o’clock. The premises were insured but the stock Was not insured. Estimated dead loss at between LSOO and L6OO. The roof of the stables was part iron and part shingle. The stables were lit with gas, and no other light was used as a general rule, although a lighted candle may have been used occa sionally. Witness lived in a cottage at the back, but there was always someone who slept on the premises. The front part of the building was a saddler’s shop, occupied by Jas. Tait. Between the shop and the stable there was no communication whatever. Dhe shop Was lit with gas. Knew Mr Tait very well ; was in his shop constantly. He had a good stock, and appeared to have a very good trade. He employed an assistant. No one slept on Tait’s premises. About two o’clock witness was called by his son on the Saturday morhing. The stables had large folding doors with a small door at the front, and two doors at the back; The doors were :kept locked at night. son did not smoke, nor did .he read in bed so far as he knew. He had candle and matches to use when the gas was out. There was some hay, etc., in the loft of the stable.

H. Oookson said he was a son of the last witness. On Friday night last he slept at the stables. Went to bed about nine o’clock. The outer doors, front and back, were closed ; the front door was bolted, the back door fastened. Witness did not smoke, and did not read in bed. Turned the gas out before he went to sleep. Was awakened some hours afterwards by a loud crackling noise. The fire was in Tait’s shop, and the flames were just breaking through the partition when witness Was first aroused. Was quite SUre about the fire being in Tait’s, because he could see it When the fire came through. The three stall stable was quite cleat*, and had rib rubbish about it. Tait kept some straw under neath his counter, which he used in his business. On opening the front door wit ness saw a man who he thought was a constable. Did not look through Tait’s window from the footpath. James Tait, said he lately occupied the premises adjoining Cookson’s stables. Was a weekly tenant of Cookson’s. Did not sleep at the shop. Had a good stock, which With the tools, etc., would be Worth at the very lowest calculation LiSO. Was insured in the South British office for L 250, The insurance had been originally effected by Wood Bros., from whom it had been transferred to Cookson, and from Oookson to the witness. It had never been altered. It would be a little before 6 on Saturday evening that witness left, and was there again between 1 and 2 o’clock on the morning of the 30th. There was no fire then. Was at home and asleep when the fire-bell rang. When witness got up the fire was burning right through the roof. Witness resided half a mile from the shop. Was keeping or dinary saddlery goods at the shop, and kept some straw. There were some leather cuttings about, not more than half a sack-

ful or a sackful at the most. There was a small gas stove. Could always tell when the gas was escaping by the smell. The gas was turned off at the metre the night of the fire. Could not say whether there were any matches about the shop or not. Witness’s man usually stopped after he had left. They both had keys of the shop. There was no other way into wit ness’s shop except by the door Had re ceived between JL3B and L4O worth of stock in the shop during the last month. The policy held by witness was a floating policy. Sometimes he might have over and sometimes under the value on the premises.

W. W. White, saddler, and lately in the ’ employ of James Tait, deposed that he left the shop at 6 p. in. on Friday last. There was a good all-round stock, and roughly it was worth L4OO, and it belonged to Mr Tait. No rubbish was allowed to accumulate. The shop was kept clean, and swept out every morning. There were some candles, but they were not used for burning, but merely used in the trade. There were no matches about and no rats. Nothing combustible was kept under the counter. There was a gas stove. Tait was doing a good business, and the fire was a great loss to him. Witness had been in his employ for twelve months. There was a little place up the right-of-way large enough to admit a dog or cat. Geo. St. Hill said : Was at a party with some friends on the night of the fire, and left for home at five minutes past 1 o’clock. When the fire bell rang, looked at his watch and found it was 26 minutes past 2. Was at the fire, and saw Constable Neil remove the wooden box produced. [Large wooden box, with charred bottom and side washer, pro duced. The box contained some ashes. 1

Witness (resuming) stated that the box had a piece of wood lying on the top of it. The box contained cool, wood, and paper. The coals underneath were quite hot. The box contained some photographs, as well as paper, etc. The Court to witness : Do I understand you to say, Mr St. Hill, that you imagine the fire in the box to have been purposely ignited ? Mr St. Hill : Most undoubtedly. In reply to a question from a juror, Mr St. Hill said that the box was so hot under neath that he could not put his hand there. It seomed to him as if a fire—hot coals—had been placed on the top, and fuel heaped upon the top of all to make a fire. Witness could not say what the fire was wanted for. He simply stated what ho saw.

John Maiklejohn, cattle dealer, re membered the morning of the 3rd inst. Was returning from Rakaia when he heard the fire bells and went to the lire. The flames were coming out through the roof. Burst open Tait’s door, but could not get in for smoke. Commenced to take out some whips. The fire ap peared to be coming through the roof from The lorr. Did :mt «■><•!« behind i.he

| ciiuiii. 1 ;; nii;.' would not admit of it. i;id uui ihink t-hero was any firo in the shop. Thought i was coming through ; ho simp. li.id witness been five minutes sooner he thought he could have got all the goods out of the shop. Saw young Cookson at the fire. The fire was coming through the roof when witness burst the door open. Robt. Elston deposed to going to the fire. Saw plenty of people were helping at the side in Wills street, so went to the front door and there met Mr Henry, photographer, standing at the door. Henry ran upstairs and witness ran after him to help him to remove his things from his room. Saw the box produced containing coals, paper, and sticks on top, alight in the corner outside on the balcony. The fire was blazing in the box. Witness, on catching sight of this, said — “ Henry, here’s the fire already.” Henry said, “ Never mind ; come in ; there’s no help for it; it must go. Let’s keep out the draught. ” Witness said, “ But I do mind,” and forced his way to the box. Henry tried to shut the door. Witness caught up the box and dropped it over the balcony and it got broken. Henry was fully dressed, he seemed very agitated and excited. Believe he had moved some of his property, but would not swear to it. A spark from the stables might have set the box on fire, but witness thought it very improbable that it had done so. Richard Lechner deposed that he was a clefk in the Post Office, Ashburton. ~

Remembered morning of the 3rd, and to attending the fire at Cookson s. Went to the front of Saunders’ Buildings. Saw Mr Henry in his room. He had. nja arms full of things which he earned out. Witness took some pictures off the walls and wrapped them in the tablecloth. Mr Henry was away for two or three minutes. I asked Mr Henry if there was anything more, and he said no. He then opened the door of the room opening on the balcony. Elston was there, and Henry wanted to pull him back, and told him to shut tbe door, and keep out the draughty | Witriess caught Hold of Henry by the tail of the coat. Henry Said nothing could save the place ;it must go. Henry tried to prevent Elston and witness from going out to where the fire was. Saw Elston take, up the box and drop it over the balcony. There was a good blaze in the box- The fire seemed to be composed of paper. There was some coal dust at the bottom of the box. The box was in a corner near Henry's tank, between the tank and the door. It was a damp night, with mist. There was very little wind. Witness afterwards went upon the roof over Henry’s studio ; no sparks were Coming from the stables there. By the Coroner i When Henry said " Never mind, they must go/' or words to that effect, witness did not think there was any great danger of Saunders’ Build ings going; No sparks fell on the balcony when witness was, there. There was a flre-plachifi Henry’s tbdrii. Joseph Dolman deposed that he vVaS captain of the Fire Brigade and fire in spector for the borough. Was present at the fire, and whilst it was burning went, at Sergeant Felton’s request, with him to examine the box produced. Also saw six papers that had been removed from the box. Went to Henry’s room and found Lechner and Elston there, with whom they went through the studio on to the roof. The box was on the -balcony, or the right hand side of the door, close tc the door and alongside of the : tank. Henry was asked how he thought the bos got on fire, and he said he thoughl it must have been from the emben or the sparks coming over the rool from the fire at the stables. He said he had cleared out the spouting of timber him Self. Henry said that th« only way lie could account for the fire was that a spark had fallen in the boi and kindled the paper. There was n< wind to speak of. It was not possible, ii witness’ opinion, for a spark to have li the fire in the box. _ . Thomas Hicks, constable stationed n Ashburton, was at the fire on the nigh of the 2nd and morning of 3rd. Was o: duty in East street. When opposite th Post Office, saw two men under th verandah of Saunders’ Buildings. _ Wet across and saw a light burning in Fait shop. Thought there vtas' somethin curious about the light, and gave th alarm of “ Fire.” I knocked at the dooi, but received no reply ;. then tried to burst open the window. ' Went away to give alar pi, and on return found stable doors open, and Mr Cookson was running about in his shirt. Elston gave witness the box produced into witness’ eustody. The box was quite hot at the time. Took the two photographs produced out of the box. Otherwise it was in the same state in which witness received it.

By the Coroner : I did not recognise the men who were going under the verandah.

Xu reply to a juror, who complained that they were met there to investigate a fire in Wills street, and not one in a box else where, the Coroner said that the evidence on the one fire might help to clear up the origin of the other fire. In fact, as a mere matter of fairness and justice to Messrs Cookson and Tait, the evidence respecting the box ought to be received. [At this stage of the proceedings the jury once more proceeded to view the scene of the fire.] On resuming, G. F. Henry was put in the box.

The Coroner said, addressing him, t! Your name has come up in connection with this fire, Mr Henry. ¥ou are not obliged to make any statement unless you like.”

Mr Henry then deposed to being aroused by the fire. He carried out some things from his room. Mr Elston was there and drew his attention to a box in which he kept fuel, with the exclamation, “ Oh, my God ! this box, is on fire.” Sparks were blowing about in all direc tions. Witness had three lenses on the premises, worth L 25 each. Had also lid or LSO worth of nega tives. Had also some pictures. There was a fire in Saunders’ Buildings about seven weeks ago. That fire was extinguished by witness. Never heard of a tire at the stables or buildings about a year ago. Nobody lived on the premises (Saunders’ Buildings’) but witness. It Ferriman, of Poyntz and Co., com mission agents, deposed that his firm were also insurance agents for the North British and Mercantile Co. Henry had effected an insurance in them of LIOO. Since the fire he had handed witness a claim for L 27 odd.

W. Hutcheson, of the Bank of New Zealand, stated that Saunders’ Buildings were the property jof the bank, and in sured for L 7.000.

The Coroner, in summing up, said that the result of the enquiry into the recent fire left it as great a mystery as ever. There was no reason to suppose that either Mr Oookson or MrTait had anything to do with the fire because they were both heavy cases. The box which was discovered on fire led to the suspicion that an attempt had been made to burn down down the buildings in two places. There were some very suspicious circumstances in connection with this fire. After about fifteen minutes’ absence, the jury returned with the following verdict—“ That Cookson’s stables were burnt down on 3rd December last, but that there is no evidence to show how the fire originated/ 1

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1881.



Ashburton registry office, For Male and Female Servants. All orders for Servants by letter or otherwise receive prompt attention. L. F. ANDREWES, Labor Agent, East Street, 7660 Ashburton. O. Carstens & Co., yuaicr TT E3TUH SJj PROSPECT BUILDINGS, Tobacconist, fancy goods, AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. __ 257a* |JI H E NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, noted throughout the Colony for the best fitting and Genuine Well-made CLOTHING Of Every Description, are the LARGEST PRIZE-TAKERS At the Dunedin Industrial Exhibition having been awarded



FIRST ORDER OF MERIT, AND ALSO HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE INTELLIGENT JURORS. One trial will prove the Superior Quality of all Products. A SINGLE GARMENT AT THE WHOLESALE PRICE. Branches at all the principal Towns. HATS, HOSIERY, SHIRTS, BLANKETS, RUGS, TWEEDS, At Wholesale Prices. NEW SEASON’S GOODS NOW SHOWING. Ashburton _ R etail Branch : East Street. W. SPARROW, Branch Manager.



John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &0., BURNETT STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Easy Chairs, Couches, English and Amariam Chairs, Single and Double Iron and Wood Bedsteads. All 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 Vind« 0 f furniture recovered and repaired at the very lowest prices. Al| wniir guaranteed and completed at the shortest notice. Furniture exchanged, and highest prices given for second-hand Furniture. . _ Note Mlreas—Cheapest House in Aahhmtvu, oute Mail Office, Burnett t 816



Wanted. ANTED—MARRIED COUPLE for * * Grove Farm (no incumbrance). Man to Milk and odd work ; wife to cook for men, etc.; must be a good dairv woman,. Also a SHEPHERD (single man). Must have good dogs.—Jon in' Carter/ 264<l ITT ANTED—A good General SERVANT T for a small private family. Apply, Office of this Paper, 18. WANTED —Everybody to see Ready Money Richard’s advertisement. lini WANTED to SELL for £lO, co . £3O—A large American COOK ING RANGE, 4ft. 6in. by 3ft., suitable for U boardinghouse or station. Apply to James Baker, Havelock street. 154 c WANTED to Rent—lwenty Acres < English grass with water, neartb i township of Ashburton. Apply, Office - this Paper. G";t. "WTTT"ANTED KNOWN—If you want : > w Grow a splendid crop of Turnip: , Purchase some of Mayo’s Bonedust. —Address F. Mayo, H&mstead Mills. ANTED KNOWN.—Just receive ' a consignment of “ Novelties. ’ together with new, rare and general’-’ esteemed varieties of Flower Seeds, annu ■ and perennial, ill addition to those cab logued. Those of my customers who hav ■ not had their orders for Garibaldi Bulb Carnations, &0., will oblige by calling _ f • he same. A very fine stock of beddin out Plants will be ready in Septemb-. • and October. W. Gimblett, Colom’ - 255rl street, Christchurch. SS I ’



■fTT'ANTED KNOWN—Every desert »V tion of Plain and Fancy Pnnth executed on the shortest notice, at t‘ Guardian Office, next Matson, Cox, an Go. ’s, West street. WANTED THE GUARDIAN to 1 your Wants for Is. ■ Cash. Special Advei tisements. H. MESSENGER, OF HIS LORDSHIPS LARDER, In thanking his numerous country patrons, and the public generally, for past favors, begs to intimate that, having com pleted extensive alterations and improve ments, he is now in a position to offer them unequalled accommodation. The increased accommodation for Ladies is a special feature in the improve ments. W. H. M. also begs to add that in addi tion to the above he has made provision, from the First day of November next, to supply a want long felt in Christchurch, viz.:— A GRILLED CHOP OR STEAK, At any hour of the day, which will be ac companied with a Glass of Bass’s cele brated Bottled Ale. FOR ONE SHILLING. Dinners, Banquets, feall Suppers, Wedding Breakfa&ls, and Picnics pro vided for, in the very best possible style. W. H. MESSENGER, 9570 Purveyor.



Back from the front.—Thu scare ftt 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 t! o “ blackfellows ” was what they went 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 BOOTS from 0. HAWKINS’ never-to-be- back with their “ understandings” nearly as good as when they left this go-ahead little township. Try 0. Hawkins’ Shop before you go elsewhere, 99Sc JJ D. MONK’ ORIENTAL BILLIARD AND REFRESHMENT SALOON is NOW OPEN DAILY. Tables by Alcock and Thurston of th highest quality. Carved in solid walnut. Come and see one of the FINEST BILLIARD SALOONS In the Colony. FLEMING’S BUILDINGS, TRIANGL ’ Next A. Wilson, Tobacconist, 25c Christchurch. THE undersigned will be prepared, during the coming season, to supply the following articles at the lowest rates:— REAPERS and BINDERS EXTRAS for DO. BINDING WIRE CORN SACKS TURNIP and RAPE SEEDS PLOUGH SHARES And all kinds of Agricultural Imple ments. FREDK. PAVITT, Corn Merchant, &g. , 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 SCOTTISH IMPERIAL INSURANCE CO. Capital ... £1,000,000. Head Office, 151, West George street, Glasgow. General Manager : W. W. W. Reid. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH : J. STUART REID, General Agent, Wellington. Messrs Tucker and Rest ell having been appointed AGENTS for the Ashburton District for the above Company, are now prepared to accent risks at lowest current rates. FRED. H. BARNES, 248 d Agent for Canterbury. NEW ZEALAND LOAN AND MERCANTILE AGENCY COM PANY (LIMITED).



AN AGENCY has this day been OPENED at Ashburton, with Mr Walt be B. Moss in charge. TEMPORARY OFFICE — CORNER OF WEST AND HAVE LOCK STREETS. JOHN COOKE, Manager. Christchurch, October 1, 1881. 782". Bank of Australasia. (Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1835) The Bank of Australasia has RE MOVED into new premises, corner oi West and Tancred streets, where Business will now be carried on. H. K. BETH ONE, Manager. Ashburton, 6th December, 1881. 263.’ CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARV CARDS. Just arrived —The Best and Newest Assortment ever seen, including Scented Satchels and Fringed Cards L. F. Andeewks, Bookseller and Stationer, East street. South Ashburton, 672c*



Special Adveiiisements. fjl HEA 0 I D CURE, P. COtJTTS and SONS’ Guaranteed ACETIC AHID ia a,safe and sure remedy for Rheumatism;, Neuralgia, Sore Throats, etc. Mfty bo obtained:, from Mackat Bhos, Manchester street, South, Christ church, Wholesale and Retail, or from Mr Thomas Collins, Main South Road, Timaru. AN AGENT WANTED FOR ASH- BURTON. Tnic ANTED KNOWN. —S P Rll. G AND SOMMER MILLINERY. MISS VERRALL is now Showing her First Display of Spring Millinery. Co lombo street (opposite Cookhattl House.) 827 c JJORTICULTURAL S6ot ET T. The Monthly MEETING of the above is POSTPONED to TUESDAY, Decem ber 13, at the usual time and place, when important business will be brought for ward. S. E. POYNTZ, 271 d Hon. Sec. ELECTION. MR WASON’S COMMITTEE a-e specially requested to meet at the Com mittee Room TO-NIGHT, at 6 p.m. S. E. POYNTZ. , 276 d Clerk to Committee.



y EAV IN G ASHBURTON GIVING UP BUSINESS. EVERETT BRO . Will o:i Saturday, December 3, commence A GREAT CLEARING SALE Of tlieir new and well-selected Stock of GENERAL DRAPERY, And to effect a speedy clearance will, in addition to the already very low prices, offe*’, as an extra inducement, a DISCOUNT OF TEN PER CENT. The Shop To Let. The Fixtures, Fit tings, &c., For Sale.



Mr Wason’s Comvjitteb. —Gentlemen who have given in their names to serve on Mr VVason’s Committee are specially requested to meet at the committee room this evening at six o’clock. Bankrupt. Hugh McMaster, of Ash burton, dealer, has tiled, a declaration of insolvency. No More Public Houses. —At the quarterly Licensing Court, Christchurch, to-day, the Bench refused all new appli cations, intimating their intention not to grant any more licenses, in view of the local option principle under the new Act shortly coming into force.



[For continuation of reading matter see first pace.]



Meetings A MEETING of MU PURNELL’S ' COMMITTEE will be held at Messrs Branson and Purnell’s Offices, East street, on THURSDAY Afternoon, Bth Decem ber, at 3 o’clock. Persons willing to LEND Conveyances to, Mr Parnell’s Committee for use on Polling Day, are requested to send word at [once, to Messrs Branson and Purnell’s pi|iceß ? street, S?67d The usual Monthly Meeting of this Lodcre will be held THIS EVENING, at the Masonic Hall, at 7.30 p.m. Lectures will be delivered by 780 pin Lectures will be delivered by Bros, the Rev. A. W. Hands and Charles Hogg, S.D. o b M BRANSON, Secretary. W AKANUI ELECTION-



Meetings; W AKANUI ELECTION. A MEETING of Mr Waaon’s Oom mittee is called for THURSDAY EVEN* IRG, Dec. 8, at the Central Committee Boom, at 7.30 p.m. sharp. ‘ At.t, Mumswim Requested to Attend. 270 d S. B. POTNTZ, Clerk to Committee. TVTAEANUI ELECTION; MR J. C. WASON'S COSi^ITTEE/ ALTERATION OF DATE. The Central Committee will MEET at the Committee Room, East street, TO-NIGHT and THURSDAY- NIGHT, at 7.30 p.m., and on WEDNESDAY afternoon, from 2.t0 4. '■ - Pull attendance of gentlemen willing to act requested. / All Persons who are desirous of securing the return of Mr Waspn, and willing: to LEND Conveyances to the Committee- for December 9th (Polling Day), will please communicate with the undersigned at once. S. E. POYNTZ, 203 d Clerk to Mr Wagon’s Committee. W ABEA NU 1 BLB OTI ON j MR WASON’S COMMITTEE lumn§f been wrongly informed- that the Temper- Hall, Tiawald,- was engaged_ on Tuesday, December 6th, MR WASON will Address the Electors of- Wakanni at the HALL, in lieu of the Schoolroom, as previously advertised on that date. S. E. POYNTZ, 247 d Clerk to Committee w AKANUI E L E CTI ON. At the request of-the Central--Com* mittee, Mr J. C. WASON will ADDRESS the Electors of Wakanni at the Jpllpwing places' on the dates and hours as fol lows - l. .. j J . . Tinwald, Temperance Hall —December 6th, at 7-30 p.m. WaKanoi, Schoolroom-—December 7th, at 7.30 p.m. 209 d By order of the Committee. W AKANUI ELECTION. Mr C. W. Purnell Request the Electors,to MEET-him AT TUB • - < ■] iM A INS CHOOLHOUSE, LONGBEAGH# o*r ■ ■ • 'THURSDAY, Bth DECEMBER# At 7.30.p.m. 250 a,



EANUI iLBOTION, In consequence of ,other erigagem'enhi preventing Mr PurneU firom jtttendinig{_ at Wakanui on Thursday Evening Next,- MB PURNELL will (with the concurrence of Mr Wason’s Committee) Address the Electors at the Wakanui Schoolhouse on WEDNESDAY EVENING Next, 7th December, immediately after the close of Mr Wason’s address. Mr Purnell ventures to hope that the alteration will suit the convenience of the" electors. ,'223d SHBURTON FIRE BRIGADE "MONTHLY MEETING POSTPONED 7 until To-morrow. By order. 277 d W. ADAMS, Hon. Sec. - Amusements. . fjIOWN HALL, ASHBURTON, FRIDAY AND MONDAY, December 9th and 12th. THE AMATEUR Dramatic Club iWill perform that splendid Melodrama > entitled “THE MILLER AND HIS MEN,” j With New Scenery and Effects by Charles Bourk. Efficient Orchestra. : : * Admission —3s, 2s, and Is. Doots open at 7.30 ; commence at 8 p.m.



\ SHBTJRTON SACRED FESTIVAL. “ Messiah.” For the first time in Ashburton will be given, Handel’s Oratorio “THE MESSIAH,” At the Town Hall, on" TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20. Doors open at 7.30 ; to commence at 8 p.m. Tickets, 2s each, can be obtained from Mr H. M. Jones, or the Hon. Secretary (W. Townshend). 222 d



US ITBD MASONIC BALL Will be held at the MASONIC HALL,TANCRED STREET, ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 1881. CoifMCtTEE : Bro. R. W. Shearman Bro. J. Bradley Ero. W. H. Gundry Bro. W. Sparrow Bro. H. Stephenson Bro. W. H. Zouch Bro. C. Braddell Bro. R. Fried lander Bro. T. Quill Bro. Bro. S. Nols. h Bro. G. St. Kill Bro. Ed. Saunders Bro H. Zander Bro. D.MMTarlane Bro. E. G. Crisp. Admission by 1 icket only. Tickets may be obtained from the Coma mittee. Dancing to commence at 8.00 p.m. HENRY ZANDER, MOd Hon. Sec,



nnoWN HALL, ASHB XJRTON. WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER J - WILHELMJ CONCERTS. WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ THE GREAT Musical Sensation of!88l. First Appearance here of the reigning Monarch of the Violdt HERR AUGUST WILHELMJ, In conjunction with MR MAX YOG RICH, The Great Pianist, And MISS MARIE CONRON, The C harming Prima Donna. WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ WILHELMJ Prices — Front Seats, 6a Family 'J'icke-’s, to admit five, £1 os; second seats, 4s ; back seats, 2s. Reserved seats may be secured, on Wednesday, 7th De cember, at H. J. Weeks’ New Music Warehouse, Tancred st-vcc J. SoCi ~