SHIPPING.

PORT OF LYTTELTON. Arrived. Yesterday. St. Kilda, s.s., from Oamaru. Sailed. Yesterday. St. Kilda, s.s , for Wellington. Aratapu, brigantine, for Kaipara. Anthons, brigantine, for Auckland. Croydon Lass, schooner, for Waitapu. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Auckland, Yesterday. Arrived—Loongana, from Hobart ; Saxon? -from Lyttelton. Sailed - Arawala, for Sydney ; Marion, fox Suva; Rotorua, for the South. Wellington, Yesterday. Sailed —Penguin, for Picton and Nelson ; Malay, barque, for Newcastle ; Go-Ahead, for East Coast. Timaru, Yesterday. Arrived — Andes, ship, from Adelaide. Port Chalmers, Yesterday. Arrived—lnvercargill, ship/from Lon don ; F. M. Carlon, barque, from New Sailed —Formosa, barque, for Lyttel ton ; Rotomahana, for Melbourne, via Bluff. t: '• 1 Bluff, Yesterday. ; The i Barque ’Edwin Fox is at the Heads ; 142 days out from London. . u . ' Melbourne, Yesterday. : Arrived Ringarooma, s.s., for the Bluff „ ; Sydney, Yesterday. Sailed —P.M. a. a. Australia for Auck land.

COMMERCIAL.

' ■ Ashburton Guardian Office. ! ' Friday afternoon. . The: demand for grain still keeps fairly good, though prices have not fadvanced. Large quantities are still coming forward from country.stations, but the bulk is now in store, read£?for shipment. At Lyttelton a great is now awaiting tonnage, and as soon a&4Msa*.'available a, clearance will be made. here,for good milling wheat are from 3s 3d to 3s gd per bushel, and inferior sorts can be bbtained at about 3s. Good seed wheat is in fair demand, but only the best quality, is saleable.at 3s qd, 4 s 44 and ss, and extremely good samples of Tuscan are to be had, at a shade over the latter figure. Barley ia moving off now fairly well, but only one Christchurch ; firm is doing much in this cereal, 'the price remains the same as for merly, but some improvement in value is lobked forward'to. Oats are offering in con siderable quantities, and prices rule from is 4d tb-IS qd per bushel in Ashburton. Grass seed iydn good demand, bat only good bright and clean samples are saleable at from 4 s 6d to 4s qd. Potatoes are now selling well at about 35s to 40s;per ton. The weather has been all that could be desired for farming operations during the past week, and ploughing has been pushed on vigorously.

k i \ Ashburton Retail List. Butter, inferior to best, per lb, 9d to is; eggs, 1 per dozen, 2s ; cheese, prime quality, per lb, 4d to 6d ; bacon, prime smoked, per lb,'isi hams, in cloth, per lb, is to is 2d; fidur, in bags, per loolbs, 12s; oatmeal, per 2Slbs, 4s; lard, per lb, yd. . '-j Auctioneers’ Reports. ' Messrs H. Matson and Co. report on the live stock market &c., for the week ending Thursday, May iqth, 1881, as follows For yesterday’s sale at Addington, there was but a small supply of stock. Sheep made scarcely an average entry, whilst in fat and store cattle (the latter especially), there was a considerable falling off. In sheep there was a larger proportion of stores than for several weeks past, thus leaving the quantity available for butchers’ purposes somewhat below requirements. The day’s sale was noticeable as presenting a few lines of grand quality mutton ; several pens of wethers sent to hand by Mr C. T. Dudley topping the market for the season at 21s. We also placed Various lines of crossbreds at frbm 14s to 16s fid per head, merino wethers to us fid. Taking the day’s prices for fat sheep, they were ex orbitantly high, and fully equal to any market of the year, The trade in store sheep has undergone but little change, excepting that old ewes are not quite so sluggish in demand, and the few young crossbreds suitable for turnip feeding that find their way into the market, command higher rates than hitherto. The fat cattle-sale, partly owing to the indifferent quality on ofler, was any riling but brisk, and the past month’s rates were barely maintained. Throughout the auction there was an absence of competition, and it was with great difficulty that sales were effected. Of the few stores sub mitted there is no change to report; prices arc low, and will probably continue so for another two months. The pig market was again glutted, but as.the various curing establishments were represented at the sale all lots were sold, though at prices still more in favor of buyeis The totals yarded for the day comprised 5,300 sheep, 320 head of cattle, and 403 pigs, of which our entry included 2,404 sheep, 146 head of cattle, and 184 pigs. In sheep our principal sales were:—s2 crossbreds at 21s, 86 at 13s 3d, 68 at 15s, 146 at 13s 3d, 175 merino wethers at ns to ns fid, 40 at ns, 90 cross breds at 16s 3d, 52 at 16s 3d, 86 at 16s 3d, 68 at 133 3d, 45 at 14s 6d, 95 at 14s, 41 at 14s 3d, 160 at 14s 6d, 163 crossbred ewes at 165 6d, 40 at 13s qd, 100 at 13s 3d, 282 cull merino eyves at 3s nd, 37 crossbreds at 8s 6d, 93 merino ewes at 4s, 92 at 4s 3d, 60 at 3s 6d, 56 crossbreds at 7 s 9d- Fat cattle—3 ’ a t L 6 10s, 4at Lfi’ 10s, 3 at L 6 7s 6d, 2 at L 6 15s, 3 at L 5 15s; 12 at L 5 ros, $ at L 5 7s 6d, 2 at L 6 i7s6d,- 3 atLfi ss, 7 light weights at LS, 4 at Lfi' ios ; Stores nominal. Pigs—6 at 355, 14 at 355, 5 at 43s 6d, 9 at 345, 7 at 42s 6d, 6 at (porkers) at 15s, sat 455, 9at 325, n at 34, nat 30s, ioat32s6d, 10 at 335, 12 at 30s, 3 at 455, and several lines of porkers at from 15s t 0,25.8.,25.8. ‘

Iho Ohristchurch. Com Exchange. The 'following is the report for the week ending Friday, the 20th of May : There ismo quotable alteration to record in thwwlae-of.cereals. Business on the whole has been exceedingly quiet during the weqk. The shipment or gram from Lvttelton con tinqes without abatement, and there are still latfge’ tprantides on hand. The weather has been all that'-could , be desired for farming Notwithstanding recent advices from Home, indicating a fall in prices, tbhAddaltnafket is dim. Tuscan in large lines continues to be (sopght after, and will com mjys 3v9d tp 3s iocl, f.0.b., where the sample is of exceptionally good quality, dean seed, ,43,t0 4s 3d per bushel is ob tainable, Velvet .chaff and pearl, 35 yd to 3s SdV'nammrii' while, 3s Sd to 3s fid per bushel | the seed wheats range from 3s gd to 4s fakir .btisnel seconds from is fid to 2s fid per bushel.—^OatsThere is still a good inquiry', and holders are firttf ip their demands. Good bright milling qualithis are saleable at from is rod to 2s, f.0.b.; feed samples, is yd to ifendSd,;. inferior feed samples, 2d per bgsfael ..pnder.the lowest, quotations. — Buley : , A few transactions continue to take pkjCe, but the market is’extremely heavy, and sales are'difficultly effect. Exceptionally good malting samples' are) however, readily saleable acMrtn "3s to '3s fid f 'medium, 2s 3d to 2s 9<|i feed quality, is -gd to 2s per bushel.— The-market is still in very un sWtfed condition) and buyers appear chary of investing in the tuber! A few orders, however, an&iUdog their, appearance on the scene, and tUft will.doubtless reinspire confidence. It is <BsceU.tp give.C?tact quptations in the present Sof things, , aqd. - some small sales have iplape under what some buyers are pre m>lve : last'-week’s quotations maybe tad, ' v\z*f dd.> 34s at country extML —Ofask Seed : There is 2tam& tri’hbteih the state of the market, jMriiel being the figure for really wP'SmnM^fenfiers'' samples; indifferently riWl#dia£i td't Cocksfoot! ■ Tfcorodwp wyktecided advance in quotations dwingJriie past ; fdrinight. Holders are now asking from 3di.to- ;lb.f. .orders are coming to Jwfth .the, market rather bare.—Chpespand,'Bqtter : The former is still hcav y at

3d to 3>6d. The latter is saleable at from to 8d per lb.—Hay: L2 10s to L2 15s per ton, delivered in: Christchurch.

MAIL NOTICES

Mails close at the Chief Post Office for the following places (subject to the neces sary alterations) as under : Saturday, May 21. For the United Kingdom, via San Fran cisco, Continents of Europe and America, West Indies, Sandwich Islands, Northern Ports of New Zealand, &c., per Wanaka, as follows :—Ordinary letters at C. 30 p.m. ; late fee letters, at 7 p.m. ; books and newspapers, at G p.m. ; money orders, at 3 p.m. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. ; guard’s van, 8.30 p.m. train. Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office, as follows : For Christchurch and North at 5.30 a. m. 10 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, ooldstream, 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 G a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.20 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge, 3n Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10.30 am. For Ashton, Waterton 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 Rakaia at 10.25 a.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.50 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.25 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.35 p.m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.15 a.m. 5.35 p.m., and 8.15 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet, Ashburton Forks, Mount Somers, and Ashburton Gorge on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, New land, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 4 p.m.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. To-morrow, Saturday, May 21. Mr. T. Bullock, at Mr Hayes’ Timber- Yards— Timber ; 11 o’clock. Dan Henderson and Co., at their rooms, Saunders’ Buildings—Usual Weekly Sale ; 12 o’clock. Monday, May 23. R. Wilkin and Co., at The Grange, about two miles from Ashburton Farm Stock, Implements, &c.; 11.30 o’clock. Saturday, May 28. Mr. T. Bullock, at his Rooms, East street —Valuable Town and Suburban Pro perties. MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, &c Friday, May 20. Entertainment, Town Hall, 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. Lecture on “ Hydropathy,” Town Hall, 7.30 p.m. Farmers’ Ball, at Moflatt’a Mill ; com mence at 8 o’clock. Monday, May 30. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7 o’clock. Upper Ashburton Road Board —Meeting to elect five new members, at the Road Board Office, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 1. County Council, at the County Council Chambers, at 11 o’clock. i Monday, June C. Newland School Committee Monthly meeting. Meeting to elect Committee for the Waka nui Library, in the Wakanui School room. Tuesday, June 7. Ashburton Permanent Building and In vestment Society, Monthly Meeting, from G. 30 to 8.30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. Masonic Concert, Masonic Hall, 8 p.m. Thursday, June 9. Mount Hutt Road Board, Monthly Meet ing. Saturday, June 11. Ashburton School Teachers’ Association, Borough School, 2 p.m.

TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE

Trains Leave Ashburton eor Christ church and intermediate stations at C a.m., 10.30 a.m., and (Express) 5.48 p.m. Trains Leave Ashburton for Timaru and South, at 7 a.m., 10.3 G a.m. (Ex press), and 4.50 p.m.—the latter pro ceeding no farther than Timaru. Trains Arrive at Ashburton from Christchurch at 10 24 a.m. (Express), 435p.m., and 7.50 p.m. ‘ Trains Arrive at Ashrurton .from Timaru and South at 10.15 a.m., 5.34 p.m. (Express), and 8.15 p.m.

DEATH.

Cavanagh. —On May 20, at Ashburton, tho infant son of James Cavanagh (shoe ing smith at Messrs Baker and Brown’s coach factory). The funeral will take place to-morrow (Saturday), at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1881.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 5.30 p.m.’J

Football.— A match between the mem bers of the Fire Brigade and the Ashbur ton Club will take place on Tuesday next. Going Home. —Te Whiti has given per mission to the natives recently released from gaol to return to their hapus. Accepted. —Mr Spray’s tender for the ploughing advertised by Mr Dolamore, has been accepted. That of Mr Shillits, for fencing, has also been accepted. Tea Meeting. —The Star of the East Lodge intend holding an anniversary “ bun scuffle.” on her Majesty’s Birthday, in the Templar Hall. Sweeps. Calcutta sweeps on the Steeplechase meeting will be held in Henderson and Co. ’s auction rooms on Thursday evening next. Population of South Cantekbuky.— The census returns for the district of South Canterbury show the total popula tion to be 21,803, as against 17,489 in 1878. Not Serious. —The reported disturb ance near Pungarehu between Armed Constabulaiy and natives, turns out to be nothing serious. The affair referred to happened nearly a fortnight ago, and arose out of a misunderstanding between two or throe natives and Europeans.

Home —Those de siring to communicate with their friends in the old country per the Frisco mail, are reminded that the local portion of the same will close at the Post-office to-morrow morning. A supplementary mail will be despatched per express train the same evening. Perjury.— Edwin Charles Shepherd, a settler at Whatawhata, near Auckland, who was charged with cruelly treating three children from tho Home for neglected and destitute children, has been committed for trial for alleged perjury during the hearing of the case. Bail was fixed, himself in L4OO, and two bonds men of L 250 each.

Alteration in Fees. —An Order in Council makes the following alteration of registration fees under the Land Transfer Act, 1870 :—“ That there shall be paid to the District Land Registrar, in respect of the registration of any transfer executed by any Registrar or Deputy-Registrar of the Spureme Court, in addition to the registration fees, the following fees If not exceeding L2OO, 1 per cent, on the purchase money expressed in such trans fer ; if exceeding L2OO, 14 per cent, on the remainder of the purchase money.

Ploughing.—Those willing to under take contracts for work of this character are referred to our advertising columns. To be Closed.— A special meeting of the County Council will be held on the Ist June to consider the question of closing four roads in the Mount Hutt district.

Road Closed.— An announcement in another column intimates that the soutn eastcrn end of Tancred street, at its junc tion with the town belt, is closed until further notice. The Borough Auditors. —Our readers are reminded that the date of receiving nominations for two persons to act as auditors for the Borough has been altered from Tuesday to Monday next, and no nominations will be received after 12 o’clock noon of the latter day. Convalescent. — Constable Rouse, who has been on sick leave for some past, now has so far recovered from his indisposi tion, that he expects to resume his duties at Rakaia, at an early date. As the con stable’s complaint at one time took a seri ous turn, his many friends will be glad to learn that a visit to the sunny North has had the effect of bringing him back to health.

Sulphur. —Letters received at Auck land from Melbourne state that the form ation of a Melbourne company to work the sulphur deposits of New Zealand, and for the erection of acid works at Auck land is progressing satisfactorily. In the course of a few weeks Mr Mclvor expects to be in Auckland again in connection with the further development of the enterprise. Tararua Inquiry. -Yesterday, at the sitting of the Court investigating the loss of the Tararua, Captain Underwood was examined, and expressed it as his opinion that a light ship on Waipapa or Slope Point is necessary. After the legal gentlemen engaged had., addressed the Court, it was adjourned, Mr Simpson intimating that they would give notice when they would sit again to give judg ment. From a telegram received to-day, we learn that the decision will probably be given this day week. Industrial Exhibition Committee. — A meeting of the members of this Com mittee was held last night, Mr H. Fried lander in the chair, and Messrs Bullock, Hodder, Jameson, St. George, Braddell, and Douglas being in attendance. A letter was read from Mr Wason, offering to give a lecture on behalf of the liquida tion of the deficit in the funds or a dona tion thereto. Messrs Bullock, Hodder, and Jameson were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the liquidation of the debts of the Committee in as satis factory a manner as possible. Further Improvements. —Messrs P. and D. Duncan have now determined to start a branch of their well known imple ment manufactory in Ashburton. The site selected is one in Wills street, exactly opposite the Prince Albert Boarding house. The district of Ashburton gene rally, is to be congratulated upon having such well known implement makers as Messrs P. and D. Duncan, and Reid and Gray opening branches in this town —as it shows the importance such an agricultural centre commands in the eyes of thoroughly practical men. The London Gas Company. —The principal London Gas Company has nine and a half millions capital. For coke, tar, and residual products it receives about LGOO,OOO a year, and for gas nearly two millions sterling. It paid last half-year L 20,000 compensation for the Tottenham Court road explosion ; it charges its con sumers 3s 3d per I,oooft, and declares dividends at the rate of 11 per cent, per annum. Just as you get stout or two ales in your own jug, so the London Company give you superfine cannel gas at 3s lid, as against ordinary at the lower price named above. This, of course, must mean double sfets of mains. The Struggle for Places. —When one Ministry goes out and another gets in in New Zealand, there is a little struggle for the “ loaves and fishes,” but the contest is decency itself compared with what takes place at Washington when a new President is installed, if we may judge from the following telegraphic despatch ;—lt is appaient that there is a tremendous pressure brought to bear upon the President for the removal of persons now in oflice and the appointment of new applicants. At one time to-day, fully 500 office-seekers were at the White Rouse endeavoring to get an audience with the President, and present their papers. Very few were admitted, and the President said emphatically to a Senator who had called with an applicant that he would not make any removals at present, and intended to require all papers asking for appointments to come through the proper department. Signor Tamburini. This evening,

Signor Tainburini and company, under engagement to Mr Levoi, will make their debut at the Town Hall.' The company in their New Zealand tour, up to the present, have received unqualified suc cess, and from our exchanges we gather that their audiences always depart at the fall of the curtain in a satisfied frame of mind. Signor Tambourini has gained deserved praise wherever he has appeared | for his performance of the bird cage illusion, whilst his manipulation of cards, coins, Ac., Ac., is also highly spoken of. Mr W. EJ. Manning is a New Zealand native, and his ventriloqual powers we can vouch for as astonishing. He will also give mimic impersonations of cele brated characters. Of che other members of the company we know nothing, but doubtless they will be found capable of supporting the prestige of the whole. Following the performance, the seats will be cleared and a dance will take place, and as the company have secured the services of Mr Filing as pianiste, devotees to the Terpsichorean l art should have no difficulty in passing a few hours pleasantly. New for the Ladies, — A new excite ment, somewhat different from that en tailed by the exigences of the London season is beginning to find favor with the ladies of fashion in the English metropolis. The innovation consists in accompanying the hunting expeditions made by their hus bands, brothers, etc., t.) the far west of America. One of the haute noblesse, Gerald, fourth son of Lord Alfred Paget, has recently taken his wife on one of these expeditions, and letters received from the travellers describe, among other adven tures, how they slept in an open tent with the thermometer twenty-nine degrees be low zero, and were entertained by the wolves with a sort of DerFreichutz chorus as a lullaby. The travellers carry their bed with them, one of a pattern as yet un known to West-end upholsterers. It consists simply of a fur bag, six feet in length, and when retiring to rest, Mr Paget and his wife get into it and tie themselves up for the night. How they will relish the silken sheets and pillow cases, at present in vogue in London, on their return home, remains to be seen,

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE [per reuter’s agency.] Monetary and Commercial. London, May 18. Consols are unchanged at New Zealand Five per Cent. 10-40 Loan, 104)4 ; New Zealand Five per Cent. ISB9 Loan, 104, ex div.; New Zealand Four and a-half per Cent. 1879- 1904 Loan ioo)4. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 47s ; New Zealand wheat, 445; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 335; Australian tallow, best beef, per cwt. 34s 6d ; best mutton, 365. The Wool Sales. At the wool auction to-day 6,800

bales were offered. The market remains -firm. '* On Ms Legs Again. London, May 19. Mr Gladstone is recovering from his recent indisposition, and is now able to transact business. Midhat Pasha Captured. Constantinople, May 19. Telegrams have been received by the Government from Smyrna to the effect that Midhat Pasha was arrested to-day, the French and other foreign consuls having refused to afford him an asylum from the Ottoman ministers of justice. Russian Internal .Policy. Sx. Petersburg, May 19. . . General Ignatieff, who was recently appointed Minister of the Interior, has issued a circular with reference to the intentions of his Imperial Majesty the Czar in connection with the present internal condition of Russia. Thtf circular states that every effort will bei made to extirpate the spirit of rebellion among the people, and to strengthen the religious faith and morals r of, peasantry and lessen their litifaiensl The aristocracy generally tffie ' terms of General IgnatiefTs circular. AUSTRALIAN. [per beuter’s agency;] - Oats. Melbourne, May 19. Oats are firm, with a slightly im proved tendency, reports having been received of a deficiency in the New Zealand crop. The Naval Princes. Melbourne, May 19. Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales will probab!y*"do«Wf --oa from Albany by the next P- and O. Co.’s steamer, instead of waiting until the repairs to the Bacchante are finished. The Reform Bill. The Reform Bill is making very slow 1 progress in the Assembly, on account ’ of the tactics of Mr Longmuir and the I Corner party. ! Let in Again. Sydney, May 19. , The hearing of the suit Moore 3 (lessee of the Clontarf pleasure grounds) 1 v. the proprietor of the Sydney Bulletin for libel terminated to-day. A verdict was returned for plaintiff, one farthing ‘ damages, with costs. : NEW ZEALAND f - [per press association.] ' The Detached Squadron. ’ Auckland, To-day. j At the City Council the Mayor stated (. that he would take steps to ascertain I whether the detached squadron would visit ‘ Auckland, and, if so, would initiate ' measures for a suitable reception, e Not to be Interfered With e The City School Committee last night i, passed a resolution unanimously condemn t ing any interferauce with the Education 0 Act. r A Long Swim. A boat, with three young men in it, ■ capsized near the ent.ancc to the harbor s yesterday; all were good swimmers, and r reached shore much exhausted, after being s an hour in the water. y The Public Health. Thames, To-day. A case of breach of the Public Health 1 Act came before the Resident Magistrate this morning, through the defendant neglecting to report a case of scarlet fever 8 fully to the local Board. Defendant was ? dismissed with a caution. Scarlet fever is very prevalent, and defective drainage „ is blamed. ‘ Matters Political. c Wellington, To-day. j The Premier leaves for South at one 1 o’clock this afternoon. It is understood s that no alteration of the portfolios, or ap-, r pointment to Mr Oliver, will be made f until Mr Hall’s return, which is expected 3 in about ten days.

Terrible Effects of Lightning.

A terrible experience, almost unique in military annals, comes to hand from the Cape of Good Hope, in connection with the march of the Diamond Field Horse to the scene of operations in Basuto Land towards the end of last year. The men had “ ontspanned ” for breakfast, when a heavy thunderstorm suddenly burst over them, so severe in its effects that they were forced to abandon their attempts to procure a meal, and remounted in the hope of riding out of the storm. To wards the afternoon, however, it broke upon them with increased violence, the rain falling apparently in sheets, and the flashes of lightning continuous. 'At last, a flash struck the troop, flinging seventeen horses and their riders to the ground, and killing ten men and five horses on the spot. Those who were not killed were all seriously injured, and it was long before; animation could be restored in the case of seven of the men. The bits and stirrup irons of the whole number were blackened, and many of the men, though personally uninjured, had their clothing rent by the force of the electric discharge. The greatest difficulty was naturally experi enced in preventing a general stampede among the frightened horses.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY MAY 20, 1881.



(i A LL work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” consequently, bear ing the truth of this adage in mind, Frederick Clark, OF EAST STREET, HAIRDRESSER, Has just imported a quantity of NOVEL AND AMUSING GAMES wherewith to while away the dragging hours of winter nights. They meet the requirements of both old and young, and include playing cards, “ squeezero,” &c.; chess and draught men and boards, back gammon, dominoes, go-bang, race game, lotto, &c., &c. N ' Those having favorite Authors should, to prevent disappointment, make their selections from his large stock of NEWEST NOVELS at their earliest convenience. THE SMOKER’S FRIEND is F.C., and to preserve the right to this title he 'has just imported the following Brands of TOBACCO : —Nail Rod, Vanity Fair, Ruby Twist, Twist, &c., &c. CIGARS and CIGARETTES: Havanna and Cuban, Vanity Fair Cigarettes, &c., &c., and a large selection of novelties in PIPE WARE. FLOODED OUT. F.C. was floooded out by the heavy rains on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and the damage done is irreparable. What is he to do ? Sue the Council for damages ? No ! no ! Sell the damaged goods at the best prices obtainable, and get ANOTHER NEW STOCK. This is what he will do. Those who COME EARLY will therefore secure the BEST BARGAINS. Haircutting, Shaving, and Shampooing Saloon, Montgomery’s Buildings. 720 a .wi; John Meech, PRACTICAL CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTERER, &c., BURN ET T STREET, Opposite the Mail Office. Cheapest House in Town for New and Secondhand Furniture. All kinds of Furniture repaired or ex changed. GOOD PRICE GIVEN FOR SECOND HAND FURNITURE. 819



Wanted. WANTED— A General SERVANT, where two children are kept. Ap ply, Office of this Paper. 840 a WANTED— A SITUATION by a good Double-furrow Ploughman. Apply to J. K., Bligh’s Restaurant, Christ church, or at the Office of this Paper. 834 a WANTED A general SERVANT. Apply to Mrs F. P. O’Reilly, Wakanui road. 780 a WANTED at once One or two plainly Furnished ROOMS, in a respectable family. Address, “M. W. Post Office, Ashburton. 850 a WANTED —Person to adopt a Child two months old. Apply, Office of this Paper. 785 a WANTED A quantity of Fresh BUTTER, delivered weekly, at A. Young’s Grocery Store, Wakanui road. Highest price given ; none but best quality accepted. 852 a WANTED KNOWN, Particularly— that Hodder’s prime fresh butter is 8d per lb, and cheese 3id, and 6d per lb. WANTED A PARTNER, with small capital, to farm an unim proved freehold. For particulars apply to W. H. Gundry, or W. 8., Box No. 1, P. 0., Ashburton. 801 a W N T E D TENDERS for PLOUGHING 100 Acres of Land, with the option of taking 200 Acres, within three miles of Ashbur ton ; near the water. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For particulars, apply to HAY T. SMITH, 839 a Ashburton Farm. w N B D TENDERS for PLOUGHING 200 Acres skim-ploughed Land ; to be ploughed six inches deep for wheat. There is a good hut for men, and good stables and paddocks for horses on the ground. Tenders to be sent in by THURSDAY, 2Gth inst., and the work to be completed within one month. Tenders, to be addressed “ Farmer,” Office of„this Paper. 484 a w N T E D. TENDERS for BREAKING UP and SOWING in TURNIPS 300 acres (more or less) of land near Methven, ploughing to commence on or about Ist July, 1881. For particulars apply to MESSRS MORGAN & HIBBS, 807 a Methven. WANTED KNOWN —The tender of W. H. Shillits, for CO chains of fencing is accepted. 848 a



WANTED EVERBODY to know that HORSE COVERS can be bought for 17s 6(1 (former price, 255), at S. Stephens’, Saddler, Tinwald. 72Ga ANTED—MRS PAULING begs to notify that she has taken that Commodious House in Moore street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Manse, where she will be glad to ACCOMMO DATE PATIENTS requiring surgical or medical aid. Mrs Pauling has had very considerable experience as Ladies’ Nurse, both at Home and in New Zealand. 528 a ANTED KNOWN—That Miss Verrall is now showing ht'f Winter Stock of Millinery, Drapery Ac. Stay and Corset Manufacturer. Dressmaking done on Premises, Colombo >street, opposite Cookham House. 630 a WHAT! Another Tea Fight 1 Ves ; whj T not ?—Star of the East Anni versary, on Queen’s Birthday, TUESDAY NEXT, at Templar Hall. 837 a WANTED KNOWN—That W. Fergie’s EXPRESS runs to and from Tinwald Twice Daily. Goods con veyed at most reasonable rates. Orders left at Jephson’s Store, Tinwald, or W. Patching’s, Ashburton, will be promptly attended to. 760 a rANTED KNOWN That HENRY’S PORTRAIT ROOMS, Saunders’ Buildings, East street, Ash burton, are open DAILY, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Portraits taken in any weather. rnEA and CONCERT, at the Templar i Hall, on TUESDAY EVENING next. Admission—Tea and Concert, 2s ; Concert only, Is. Tei on tables at 6.30. Great Reduction in Price. 101 a 836 a



WANTED KNOWN—That the “Crown Lands Guide ” (No. 3), Newj Zealand Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, and all other Government Publi cations can bo obtained by applying at Office of this Paper. FUN, Entertainment, and Sociable Evening to be obtained by attend ing the Tea Meeting and Concert on Tuesday next, at the Templar Hall. 838 a TITANTED KNOWN—That John' W Moison (late in the employ of Mr Nealas) has opened business in Fowler’s Buildings, Tancred street, where all descriptions of Boots and Shoes can be made to order. Having had large ex perience both at Home and in the colonies, J. M. feels confidence in soliciting a share of public support. 758 a TTTANTBD KNOWN. Ashburton W REGISTRY OFFICE for Male and Female Servants. —L. F. Andrewes begs to inform the public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that ho has opened the above. Male and Female Servants of all classes provided. Em ployers requiring servants, and all persons with good recommendations, who are in want of situations, are requested to apply to L. F. Anduewes, Labor Agent, Book seller, and Stationer, East street, South. 208 a T f'i m Don’t Forget the i-.Vy.vjr. x . Tea meeting and Con cert on Tuesday next, at 5.30, in the Templar Hall. 839 a Special Advertisements. W. H. SPACEMAN’S Offices are now in Canterbury Chambers, Here ford street, Christchurch, next Miles and Co., having REMOVED from Messrs Wynn, Williams, and Deacon’s. 335 a Encourage local enter prise, & KEEP THE MONEY IN THE PLACE. WANTED—IO,OOO customers to Pur chase 100,000 Envelopes and upwards (jdst arrived). 1,000, 7s 6d ; 6,000, 6s 9d per 1,000, for Cash. Pianos. Pianos, Harmoniums, and American Organs for sale on deferred payments, from 30s per month. H. M. JONES, Stationer and Bookseller, East street and Barinf Square. 3G5a FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ ACT, 1878, on Sale at the Office of this Paper ; Price Gd.



Special Advertisements, COUNTY COUNCIL. The Treasurer directs the publication of the Yearly Balance Sheets and State ments of Assets and Liabilities of the Council. By order. F. MAIN WARING, Clerk. Ashburton, May 19, 1881. BALANCE SHEET OF THE ASH BURTON COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1881. £ d. £ s. d. To balance de posit account 30,000 0 ~ Balance float ing accountl7,7lC 8 6 ~ Dog fees ~ Slaughtering licenses ~ Stage carriage licenses ... ~ Hotel licenses Auctioneers’ licenses Ashburton Pound rent, etc.... ~ Land Fund ~ Separate rate—Ashburton Forks ~ Lower Rangitata Perry— Subsidy from Road Board 47,710 8 532 10 22 10 2 0 404 15 40 0 82 5 2,359 11 62 18 0 20 13 8 By Office— Stationery, postage, cleaning,&c. C h a ir man, honorarium Salary, Clerk ~ Engineer Travelling ex penses, En gineer Chainman’s wages Office furni ture Office Seal... Sundry ex penses, En gineer £63,177 22 151 8 4 ~ Advertising and printing, including Water Supply Bill, £O9 os. Cd.. ~ Dog collars tender, etjj. ~ Council Chambers residence— Fencing, gas pipes, e ~ Planting votes— Cemetery and Domain Boards, and Racing Club, Ashburton ~ Ashburton Fire Brigade grant ~ Taylor’s stream Bridge— Approach, land, etc. „ Hood’s Crossing Bridge— Balance cost of construc tion , protective works, etc. ~ Rakaia Gorge Bridge— Balance cost of approach, fencing, etc. ~ Digby’s Bridge—Balance cost of construction, fenc ing, etc. ... ~ Pudding Hill bridge—Cost of construction, fencing, etc ~ Rangitata Traffic Bridge— Balance temporary gang way ~ Hinds Bridge—Approach, etc ~ County Saleyards—Cost of construction, yards, cot tage, etc. ... ~ Slaughterhouses— Inspec tor’s salary ~ South Rakaia Pound Balance cost of construc -100 0 0 250 0 0 500 0 0 44 475 0 0 50 0 0 103 0 2 4,653 12 0 167 5 6 1,028 4 9 5,598 11 5 41 15 0 67 10 0 1,414 12 6 16 0 0 1,425 4 9 881 18 2 1,911 5 6 466 4 9 134 14 4 200 0 0 367 10 9 ~ Wheatstone and Waterton Drainage Payments ~ Wakanui Road Board — Vote for drainage... ~ Winchmore and Methven Drainage Payments ~ Protective Works, Ash burton Forks—Payments, planting willows, etc. ~ Lower Rangitata Ferry— Subsidy, fencing, etc. ~ Rakaia Gorge and Dobbin’s Ford—Ferries, subsides... ~ Filter Basin, South Rakaia —Site, construction, etc... „ Hospital Furniture, salaries, maintainences... 1,870 18 „ South Rakaia Water Sup ply—Payments and con tracts, etc., ~ Separate Rate, Ashburton Forks—Cost of collection „ Rate Roll —Balance pay ment to valuers, etc. ~ Surplus Land Fund—Re fund to Road Boards... 13,586 15 ~ Lithograph map tracings 50 0 ~ Deposits returned ... 680 17 Miscellaneous Balan c e at U. B. A. Deposit Ac count ...20,000 Floating ... 899 4,679 6 10 4 18 0 100 13 0 61 18 -20,899 2 0



£03,177 22 W. C. Walker, May 4, 1881. Chairman. I have audited this account, and have compared the items with the vouchers, and find it correct, and the balance at the Bank is accurately stated. J. Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor. May 14, 1881. BALANCE SHEET OP THE ASH BURTON COUNTY COUNCIL DE POSIT ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31st, 1881. £320 5 3 Examined and found correct. (Signed) J. Ollivier. May 14, 1881.'



Special Advertisements. STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIA BILITIES OF THE ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL Ist, 1881. ASSETS- To Balance cur rent account 899 ~ Balance de posit account2o,ooo d. £ s. d. 2 0 0 0 -20 Interest on deposits from U.B.A Dog collars sold for 1881, say ... Slaughtering licenses, say Rents—Ashburton Pound balance due , Rout due on reserve Lithographic maps sold during year, say... , Mount Hutt Road Board, half share protective works , Mount Somers Road Board amount due on bridges ... , Hospital fees for the year, say , Hotel licenses, say , Auctioneer’s licenses, say , Stage carriage licenses, say ,Cou n t y C o u n c i 1— Buildings ... ,Cou n t y C o u n c i 1— Clerk’s resi dence i,899 2 0 900 0 0 200 0 0 4 0 0 23 12 (5 11 5 0 100 0 0 33 3 6 211 17 3 150 O' 0 400 0 0 200 0 0 5 0 0 1,40 Gl7 2 1,066' 12 7 2,473 9 9 Less 5, per cent, depre cation. ... 123 13 G 2,349 ~ Ashburton A. and P. As sociation, rent of yards, not including 10 per cent.; on extra expenditure 100 0 0 £25,587 1G G 500 250 300 Note—Reserves estimated. Government contributions to Hospital and CharitableJpCid, and Borough share of maintenance of County Hospital not included LIABILTBfES— Office En icr, per um lary Clerk, itto 'rinting, ad vertising, etc., s?y ... Planting vote... 1,000 Upper Ash burton Road Board ... 125 0 0 0 1,050 0 Cemetery & Domain Boards, Balance of vote ... Hospital— Surgeon, sal ary, per an -1,125 0 108 5 ~ Lithograph Maps— Lyttelton Times’ con tract Extras, say... Balance due to Survey Office 1,028 8 0 330 50 5 0 0 ~ South Rakaia Pound Well contract let ~ Half-cost of rate roll, say ~ Ashburton Pound repair’s ~ Cattle Yards fencing, planting, etc., say ~ Well at Winslow, say „ Waterton and Wheatstone drainage floodgates, say ... ~ Hinds and Ashburton Plains water supply, Engi neer’s estimate ~ South Rakaia Plains water supply, balance of vote ... ~ Salary, Inspector Slaughterhouses, say ~ Hinds drainage, vote Council ~ Mount Somers Road Board, roads. Alford Forest, vote of Council ... ~ Refund to Road Board or Borough Council, surplus Land Fund ~ Ferries, if continued on same rate— -385 0 0 19 10 200 0 8 0 100 50 50 0 0 of 1,650 5,229 12 0 0 14 0 0 of 1,200 0 0 300 0 0 602 11 7 Water 127 10 500 0 ~ Contingencies, say ~ Rangitata Plains Supply ... ... ... 3 700 0 ~ Balance in favor of assets 8,049 19 £25.587 16 6 ASSETS— lJangitata Traffic Bridge— By cash paid 3,101 2 0 ■ Less recovered from in surance on Knowsley Hall 636 16 0 £2,464 6 0 Half cost of work recover able from Geraldine Council 3,200 11 0 By balance ... ... 999 0 0 £5,764 6 0 LI ABILITIES— Rangitata Traffic Bridge— To material purchased, labor, etc. 2,464 9 0 Estimated cost of comple tion 3,300 0 0 £5,764 6 0 Public Debt of the County— Nil. 853 a BOYS’ AND YOUTHS CLOTHING. WE have, on account of holding too large a Stock, Reduced the Prices of our Boys’ and Youths’ Tweed Suits and Overcoats. Intending pur chasers will save money by giving us a call. EVERETT BROS., Havelock street. 822 a ATOTICE TO FARMERS AND OTHERS IN THE DISTRICTS OF ASHBURTON AND RAKAIA On and after this date our BUSINESS in the above districts will be under the MANAGEMENT of Mr William Horne. P. CUNNINGHAM & CO., Grain Merchants. Christchurch, May 3,1881, 717 a



Special Advertisements. I 0. Carstens & Co., (Late Weston’s), I PROSPECT BUILDINGS, J rnOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS, ' 1. AND STATIONERY. Meerschaum Pipes, G.B.D. Pipes Nailrod, Twist, and Vanity Fair ' Tobacco A nice assortment of Accordions, Con certinas, Flutes, Violins, Mouth Organs, and Toys of every description, direct from Home. Haircutting, Shaving and Shampooing. EAST STREET ASHBURTON. 527a* rjIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ASHBURTON BRANCH. NOTE THE BRANCH ADDRESS— East Street. W. SPARROW, 369a* Branch Manager. T Hayes’ IMBER YARDS. FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! FIREWOOD ! The undersigned begs to intimate to his customers and others that he has made a very large REDUCTION in the PRICE of Firewood, and is now retailing the sime at from Thirty Shillings per Cord, in large or small quantities. ALPHEUS HAYES, Timber Merchant, East street, Ashburton. 608 a Mr E. GL Wright MEET the ELECTORS of COLERIDGE At the TOWN HALL, ASHBURTON. ON MONDAY NEXT, May 23rd, at 7.30 p.m. 810 a



The Difference. —“Hallo!” gfid, a, man to a friend, whom he saw running wildly down the street —“ Hallo ! are yort training for a race J ” “ No,” shouted back the flying man, “I'm racing for », train.” „ ; Strange. —How it was recently argued —“Do you pretend to have as good'*" judgment as I have 1 ” exclaimed an ejfr ; raged wife to her husband. “ Well, no,” he replied slowly ; “ our choice of part ■ ners for life shows that my judgment is ' not to be compared to yours.” Awfully Jolly.— A young couple in their honeymoon are dallying languidly with the grapes at dessert. She (atchly) ■; “ And you don’t find it tiresome, dear, all alone with me ! You are quite, quite sure that you don’t wish to go back to bachelor life again 1” He (earnestly) : “Quite, my darling. Indeed, married life is so awfully Jolly that, you know, if you were to die to-night, I’d get married again to-morrow. Here is another example of a possible mis-construction of language. “ I fear,” said a country curate to his flock, “ when I explained to you in my last charity sermon that philanthropy was the love of our species, you must have misunderstood me to say ‘ specie,’ which may account for the smallness of the collection. You will prove, I hope, by your present contribu tion, that you are no longer laboring under the same mistake. ” Attacked by a Donkey.— The Mel bourne Age reports that recently an old man named David Reed, while passing a graz ing paddock near the Flemington road, was chased by a donkey inside it. At first he tried to keep it off, but the donkey attacked him in a fierce manner.' It knocked the old man down with its forelegs, and then commenced biting him everywhere. It first bit him in the faoe, and nearly tore the unfortunate ’ man’s jaw off. It then commenced biting the lower parts of his body, and, had it not been that some persons going past noticed the occurrence and drove the away, the poor man would have been killed •